Canon PowerShot S400 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

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Summary: How to fix the "Memory Error" code on these Canon cameras
Review: How to fix the "memory error" code on this camera.
I have a Canon S400 and right after the warranty expired I got the "memory error" code. I did a lot of research on-line and found out that all you need to do is reformat the memory card. It was easy to do and it fixed the Memory Error problem.
You will need a card reader and a computer.
1.Conect the reader to the Computer and insert the CF memory card (CFMC)in the card reader.
2.On your desktop, Click on "My Computer" icon
3.Right click on the card reader driver
4.Click on Format
5.Make sure that the file to Format is the "FAT" file.
6. Proceed with formating.
7.Insert reformated card back in the camera and try it.
I did format the 256mb that I was using and it didn't work. Then I did it with the 32mb. card that came w/ the camera and it did work. Even the 256mb worked after the 32mb did, I am using the 256mb now and it is working fine. Canon will charge you over $150 to fix it and chances are all they do is reformat the Memory Card. Also, before formating the Memory card, remember to download any pictures that you might have in it since formating it will erase them all.
Hope this works for you. It is also supposed to work with other Canon cameras that get the Memory Error. ; )

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Summary: My problem is the same...
Review: I live in Hungary, and I also have this type of camera, only the name is different (Canon IXUS 400 - but it's the same).
I bought it last november, and now (after warranty of curse) I also have the "Memory card error" problem. There is only one Canon service in Hungary, and it haven't heard about this problem yet. First, when I got this error message, I put out the battery, the CF card, put it back, turned the camera off, than on and the error was gone. But it came back again and again. When I last time got the error message, I couldn't turn off the camera, when the CF card was inserted. (This card worked in my father's Canon camera - so it's not a memory card problem)The service wanted a lot of money of curse, that's why a tried to fix it at home.
I formatted the cards (I have two) in the computer in FAT. Then I refreshed the frimeware in the camera (it wasn't an easy thing, but my friend is a programmer, and he helped me).
One of my cards had an interesting problem. It was a 256 MB card, but when I wanted to format it - the computer show only 117 MB. Then I put the card into the camera, pushed the power and the set button together for 5 minutes, and put the card back to the card reader, and now the computer show 256 MB.

And now, my camera works! I don't now how long, but it's working now.

And a tipp:
You don't have to forget your pictures, which your camera erased during the memory card error problem, there are several softwares, which can recover the photos, until you make your card full with pictures again. (Search after "digital image recovery" on the web)

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Summary: DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA
Review: I thought my camera was the only one that broke down with a "memory card error" message after 14-16 months (after the warranty period). After visiting this site, I now know why. The s400 had been out for quite awhile (over a year i believe) when i initially purchased it, so i thought i was making a safe buy..... WRONG. For the first year and several months all was well, and then it came..MEMORY CARD ERROR.... sometimes the message would go away, and i'd think the problem was temporary and over. So i'd take many many pictures, and then the very next day, the message came back, and ALL OF MY PICTURES WERE GONE. It erased all of my pictures from my family trip to Florida....even with new memory cards it didn't work...so obviously it's the camera that's the problem. buyers beware!

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Summary: memory card error--Canon correspondence
Review: Guys, same story here: "Memory Card Error" after about 14 months of ownership. I've been in contact with Canon about this and they are turning a blind eye, basically. Here's their email (in response to mine which pointed them to this Amazon page to show them the extent of the problem):

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Dear Mr. C,

Thank you for your inquiry. We are sorry to hear of any issues with the PowerShot S400 detecting a CF card.

I do apologize, but Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy of any information posted on third party websites. It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites. Unfortunately, this is not something which Canon has any control over. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on our own testing.

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I responded, and their next email then went on to tell me my servicing options because the product "will need factory service for correction". So basically they refuse to admit that it is a widespread issue and are certainly not releasing a firmware upgrade or anything to fix it.

Does this sound like planned obsolescence to anyone else?

It's too bad that I have to give this camera a 2-star review; until the error it would have been 5.

Tom

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Summary: Small & Easy
Review: This camera takes great pictures for the point & shoot crowd. Easy to use and easy to carry anywhere.

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Summary: Memory card error
Review: I love this camera but thank goodness that my memory card error occured nine months after I bought it and not after a year. I sent it in to have it fixed free of charge and it was shipped back to me within the week.

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Summary: Stay Away from the Canon S400
Review: The S400 worked great for the first year. Then it started having memory card errors and erasing my pictures. I bought new memory cards hoping that was the problem, but it continued to happen. From reading the reviews this is a common problem. Unfortunately it happened after my 1 yr warranty expired. All canon would offer is a $200 camera upgrade to a refurbished S410 or you can send it in and pay for it to be fixed.. which would cost at least $150. I hope the upgrade lasts longer for all the money I have spent over the last 15 months, $400 for the original camera and now $200 for an upgrade!