Black screen while shooting, but still taking pictures not black

Did you try to press the display button several times? You then switch between different modes, while shooting and while playback. One of the modes is screen out.

Camera needs service

I suppose you tried pressing the "display" button a few times to go through the dispay options (one of which is to not show anything ...)

probably ur sensor is dead or there is dirt and moisture accumulation over ur sensor.... it is a mechanical cover and the dirt-moisture ghlue is preventing it from opening and stimulating the sensor. take it to prf repairer and get the dirt removed.

i had the same problem with my POWERSHOT A610

Try the solution posted by frozen80 at http://www.fixya.com/support/t295396-canon_s2_black_screen. It fixed my Canon PowerShot A610 black screen (closed diaphragm) problem.

Last year my Canon PSA60 got the black screen in shooting mode. Menu display was normal and so the picture review mode.
Canon service center replaced the image sensor for free. When it happened again, I asked the service center for unit exchange (trade-in/upgrade program). Now I have my PowerShot S5IS. Good bye PSA60.

Canon has issued this in their notice page: http://support-asia.canon-asia.com/index.jsp?fuseaction=support&prod_type=notices-digitalcameras-lcd

Regards,
Herry Chris

I have a similar problem with my Canon S3 IS. Dark/black LCD in Shooting mode. However, I can view my existing photos in Display mode. I was about to spend money to get a Panasonic TZ5. Somehow I bumped into a solution post for S2 IS. Here is the link:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t1090569-black_screen

I tried their solutions twice and it WORKS. My S3 is working fine now.

The following blog outlines some repair options for a lens error:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

Defective CCD. Just happened with our A610 as well. Oddly enough just had our Canon ZR85 camcorder repaired about 1 month ago (for free) due to this same problem. Sounds like Canon isn't as forthcoming with the A610 tho. We called today and they said $100+ to repair or replace, but the following link seem to indicate that if you're persistent you can get them to fix for free. Now the battle begins ...

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?forumID=58&threadID=243034&start=0

This is a firmware failure which may be fixable by Canon for free- have you asked? A charged for repair howhever will be costly - probable better to replace the camera