Expert: Abe - 3/1/2011

Question
I have had this digital camera since I bought it new in 2006.  I used it occasionally, and took very good care of it.  I decided to do some traveling and used it on a trip to China, where I snapped over 650 pictures.  

Toward the very end of my trip, the pictures started looking very hazy, like there was a dense fog, even on indoor shots.  

When I returned home, I uploaded all the shots to my computer, deleted everything on the memory cards, and reformatted them.  However, the camera continued to take these "foggy" pictures.

I took the camera to a local camera shop and the owner said the camera was "worn out."  He said it wasn't the memory cards, a dirty lens, or some damage.  

Do you agree with this assessment?  What "wears out" on a camera like that? If it is true, I bet I have taken no more than 2000 pictures, tops, with the camera.  

Thanks for your opinion.

Answer
The camera shop person is incorrect. The only possible explanation, assuming the lens is very clean and you are using the camera properly in every way, is that the lens is misaligned due to an impact on the camera. You may not think the camera struck anything so as to misalign the lens, but even a small bump can shift the glass elements, causing the lens to lose its ability to properly focus. It is even possible for lenses to misalign on their own due to cheap build materials/quality. If the lens is damaged, the camera is not worth repairing.