Product Advisories

Thank you for using Canon products.

The rubber of the viewfinder on some units of the Canon PowerShot SX50 HS compact digital camera may turn white after a short period of time. Customer support for this phenomenon is described below.

We take great pride in the quality and performance of our products. We offer our sincerest apologies to any customers who may be inconvenienced.

Phenomenon
The rubber section of the viewfinder of some PowerShot SX50 HS digital compact cameras produced in certain lots from September 1 through November 15, 2013 may turn white after a short period of time. We have determined after inquiry with the rubber manufacturer and internal analysis that the white substance is zinc bis (N,N’- dimethyldithiocarbamate).

Zinc bis is not used in the production of this product. The reason this material was deposited on a small number of rubber parts of the viewfinder was the use of an improper vulcanization accelerant as part of a test by the manufacturer of this rubber part. The manufacturer inadvertently allowed the test rubber parts to be included in a shipment of conforming rubber parts. As a result the rubber part of the viewfinder may turn white due to a chemical reaction with the rubber accelerant and other substances. High temperature and high humidity may contribute to this condition. Zinc bis (N,N’- dimethyldithiocarbamate), which becomes deposited on the rubber surface, is created as a result of this chemical reaction.

Affected products
Only a small fraction of PowerShot SX50 HS compact digital cameras have viewfinders with a rubber part affected by this phenomenon.

This phenomenon may occur in cameras of which the first and second digits from the left in the serial number are “69”, “70”, or “71” and the sixth digit of the serial number is “1”.

(Example serial numbers of cameras that may be affected:

“69xxx1xxxxxx”, “70xxx1xxxxxx”, “71xxx1xxxxxx” (‘x’ can be any number))

Caution on Use
Depending on one’s health and physical condition, in rare cases it is possible for low concentrations of zinc bis to cause allergic reactions, such as a rash, when it comes in contact with the skin of sensitive persons. In addition, if the eyes make contact with the substance, symptoms such as red eyes may develop.

As a precautionary measure, thoroughly wash your hands and rinse your eyes with water if they have come into contact with the rubber part of a viewfinder that has turned white. If any medical symptoms develop, please consult your physician immediately.

Contact Information for Inquiries
Should you have questions about the announcement, please contact the Authorized Service Facility in your area or you may contact the Call Center within your region.