Panasonic DMC-ZR1 has foreign object inside lens. Can I open camera and use compressed air to clear this out? Shows on zoom.

Are you "serious" to offer me to clean up every photo in photoshop?
How come Panasonic does not guarantee their own product?
I have had many cameras in my life and this is a first one with this type of problem. My friend bought the same type just one step better ZS8 at the same time and he is facing the same problem as well, within one year just past the warranty like me. Is it really a water spot? It is getting smaller, when I zoom in and it is moving to the side while I'm zooming in. Is it on the sensor or is it on the lens? Is there any Panasonic reply to this problem?

This is a lens mechanism fault. USe can of air and spray on surrounding the lens For cleaning the dust. and then try.

The non functioning of the camera can be a fault in the shutter, zoom or auto focus sections and may be due to the failure of the Main control system or the drive. A simple was is to reset and we can try by removing the battery and card for some time. Now replace only the battery and while switching power ON, tap the lens hood on the palm of your hands so as to disengage any dirt or mechanism being struck.
Use some air to blow between the lens to dislodge any sand particles struck inside. Unless you are familiar with handling of small devices must the camera be opened. If so check the voltage on the motor drive, check the auto focus and Zoom drives, it must be free with manual movement. If jammed the motor can be removed and released. If none of these works then you can think of taking consensus with the service centre.
Get estimate before you decide. It will be good to have it checked at the authorised service as you do not have to run around for spares.
Thank You for using Fixya

Dust or dirt will do it, especially around the gaps of the lens barrels (a single grain of sand can jam it). Recommend trying the sliding paper and vacuum fixes of this article.

Yes, you can clean. Not as complex as I originally thought.
1) Remove all of the silver screws
2) Separate the silver case (should split in 2)
3) Remove the 3 black screws in the middle
4) remove the center square cover that is over the lens
5) Use a duster spray to clean the lense and mirror
6) Reassemble in reverse order
Not knowing what I was going to get in, the entire process only took about 7-10 minutes.

Email me at [email protected] with any questions.

Lens errors are fairly common. 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 ... Unfortunately, many cameras that fall prey to this can only be corrected by professional repair. But, here are some things that you can do that may correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try.

Try precision camera dot com or united camera dot com. They both have online estimates and are very good.

You're having a problem with the gearing mechanism in the lens assembly. Here is a blog that details everything you can try to fix it without sending it to a repair shop: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
They say about half the cameras can be fixed trying their suggestions.
If nothing works, make sure you get an estimate before having it repaired, since the cost of repair can often exceed replacement cost of a new one.
Good luck, and hope this helps.

HI there the camera lens guide pin is damages and thats why not zoom the image properly . You got the system error message. So you need to replaced or repair the lens guide pin. Thanks.

You surelly drop down the camera or you have some sand inside the zoom lenses movement. You need to open the camera, opens the zoom lenns the clean the gear or replace the broken gear inside lenses