Fujifilm FinePix S7000 Zoom recall

Fujifilm today announced that a number of early FinePix S7000 Zoom digital cameras may experience battery power depletion when used with some CompactFlash memory cards.

Fujifilm has already made the required internal modifications to cameras manufactured after 15 December 2003, and is no longer supplying affected units. However, the company advises that a limited number of cameras produced prior to this date were released to the UK market and may encounter this problem.

The nature of the fault is as follows:

Where certain CompactFlash cards are used within particular S7000s (see below), the batteries may exhaust fully in approximately 18 hours, whether or not the camera is in use.

This fault does not occur when the S7000 is used with either an xD-Picture Card or a Microdrive, nor does it occur in any other Fujifilm products that offer a CompactFlash storage facility, such as the FinePix S2 Pro, S602, S602 Pro or M603 Zoom.

Cameras with serial numbers above 34L60001 (inclusive) were produced after 15 December 2003 and therefore will definitely not experience this battery drain problem.

In the short term, the problem can be avoided by unloading then re-loading the batteries just after the camera is switched off. The camera's power supply will then perform normally.

Fujifilm is offering a priority replacement of the part / camera on affected units. Naturally, this service is free and prioritised, and the camera will be picked up and returned by Fujifilm. Customers can telephone 01234 245383 or email fujitec@fuji.co.ukto arrange collection of the camera.

In addition, Fujifilm will be pleased to carry out an assessment on any cameras purchased outside the UK, providing that the user is resident in the UK.

Explanation of power supply depletion
Some CompactFlash cards incorporate a large capacity condenser in the card. When the camera is switched off, the camera automatically discharges the condenser, but cannot fully discharge the large capacity condenser. The remaining charge in the card automatically switches on the internal electric circuit in the camera. Therefore, even if the camera is switched off, the battery is drained of power.

Adrian Clarke, Director of Consumer Products, Fujifilm UK, commented, "Fujifilm would like to apologise to anyone affected by this problem, but would like to assure customers that the issue has been resolved quickly. We would like to thank our customers for their continued support of our products, and should there be any cause for concern regarding the FinePix S7000 Zoom, we would encourage them to call the number quoted for more information."