Top 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Digital Camera - Page 4 Questions & Answers

HMMM, I know the date is recorded on the digital file when it was taken and what the camera settings were. I know when I transfer mine to the hard drive i organise bu the date taken. so this info is there in the meta data recorded with each exposure. It sounds like you want it displayed on the pictures Too?
In Picasa( the free google software) File info is displayed at the bottom of each phota and a right click on the image and selecting properties reveals the meta data Camera date, date digitised, modified ect.

The only way to clean the lens internally is by disassembling the camera. As this is difficult and easy to damage the camera if doing yourself or expensive if sending for repair, I would leave it unless it is causing bad problems with the picture. You could try putting the camera in a ziplock plastic bag before putting inside the case to keep dust out.

The language setting is the last option on the setup menu. Press menu, then right side of the rocker for setup, then up for language, then right to set and up or down to select English, then menu to exit.

Hello

The problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

The link below is a link to the online version of the English manual. You can go through it and see all the information you need.
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCZS1.PDF
Hope this was helpful? Please comment for more information and thank you for using FixYa.

Yes, you can download a manual from the support section of the Panasonic website.

Turn the camera on as if you wanted to take photos.
Next, on the back of the camera, press the center button marked "MENU/SET".
Press the left button to select the icons on the side.
Press the down button until you are on the 'wrench' icon.
Push the right button once.
Now scroll down until you reach an icon that shows a face speaking.
Press the right button once.
Now you can scroll up and down to select the language you want.
Press the center button when you have "ENGLISH" selected.

On the ZS3, it's explained on pgs.90,96,and 105 in the manual. If you don't have your manual, you can download and view these pages from the support section of the Panasonic website....the procedure should be the same for your camera.

Each video recorded on camera creates a thumbnail picture file which is linked to the movie file, but is stored in another folder. When you delete the movie file on camera via PC, this thumbnail file will be become "orphaned", left in the camera and causes this error message "this movie image cannot be played". You also cannot delete it! At this stage the only solution is to first make sure you do not have any remaining pictures left and format the sandisk. From then on, never delete the movies in camera from PC but only direct from the camera. Posted by Forest.

You need to understand that most cameras are assembled by robots in Japan....very little human contact. To repair your camera, someone has to physically take it apart and do as good a job as the original robots did. Very difficult and expensive. So, companies like Panasonic would rather just exchange a refurbished camera for the one you send them. This is not true of the high-end cameras like Nikon and Canon pro DSLR's....those are cost-effective to fix because they are so expensive. Point and shoot cameras like yours....not so much.

This is due to a lens error of some sort.
A lens error can be caused by physical damage to the mechanism that controls the lens, or debris that is interfering with the operation of the lens.

This article may be able to help you with a "do it yourself" solution.
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

In the event that your problem is due to physical damage and not just dirt or debris, you will need to take it to a local camera repair shop for troubleshooting-- though with most consumer digital cameras, labor and parts cost of a repair can easily exceed the value of the camera.

hi
you have a problem wtih the photo shutter of camera
you must replace it
the cost of it is to high you better replace the camera

It is definitely a problem with the LCD screen of the camera. It cannot be anything else as the pictures come out alright. You will need to get the LCD screen replaced to resolve this problem

Hello

The problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

Hello,

There is a free section where you can post a question, but no guarantee you will get a response. You posted this in the free section. There are other levels you can post for money. There is the Premium section, and also the Chat section. Premiums usually get an answer...Chats almost aways get an answer.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for using Fixya.

NOTE: If you want to post a question in the free section, open a new post. Don't add to this one. Also, you can rate this solution, if you would. Thanks.

HI there can you reset the camera setting and let me know the result please.

If you tried to turn on a wet camera while water was still inside, you probably fried the circuits.

Same problem here. Panasonic says camera needs to be sent in form repairs. This wouldn't be a problem if they did not have these ridiculous propietary batteries. Will certainly be the last Panasonic product I buy!

Hello

OK, usually these lines indicate an internal crack of the LCD screen. The total repair cost including labour will be round about $50.

Feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance.

Kind regards
Andrea