Failed AF/AE lock on panasonic lumix DMC-FZ5

Yeah,why did you half press the shutter?When you take a photo,you should press the shutter with force quickly.I think you didn't set your Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 Camera at a proper mode for the scene,shot with a correct the next time.Wish helpful to you.

Turn the camera on and look into the view finder while you try to press the shutter button. Check the information in the view finder to see whether you are getting an error message. If you see an error message in the view finder, remove the lens cap and proceed to take a photograph but, instead of pressing the shutter button this time, press the button near the top of the camera on the back which says "AF/AE. If the camera takes the photo it means you have somehow initiated the auto focus/auto exposure lock which the camera will not override when attempting to take a photo using the shutter button. When you use the AF/AE button, you override this system. To remedy this issue, when you get the error message try pressing the shutter button again. Also, remove the lens to see if the shutter inside has frozen in the "locked" position. If you find this to be the case you will need to contact Nikon Customer Support. The link for Nikon Support is below. The numbers are half-way down the page.

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/238

You need to press the button half-way first to allow an exposure reading to lock on to.

Are you pressing the shutter button half-way and allowing the camera to lock in the focus (it will beep) before pressing the rest of the way? Have you tried setting the camera on a firm surface or a tripod and fired off a few shots to see if they are better?

you can use a laser pointer or mini flashlight point at the subject to replace the AF assist lamp. When the AF locked, turn the light off then press the shutter.

That is a custom function of the camera that can be change back to default with ease. While in one of the creative zones press the menu button and navigate to the 5th and final tab on the top right.
This is the Setup menu 2. In this menu, select “Custom Functions (C. Fn)” . This will open a submenu of numbered options. Select #04 and set it to 0: the default AF/AE lock on a half depress of the shutter.
That should get your camera back to the expected auto focus with the shutter button.

Sounds like your custom functions have been changed to work this way. On the EOS 350 D it is Custom Function #04. To change it back to default you need navigate through Canon's menus. Here's how to get there: while in one of the creative zones go to your camera menu and navigate to the 5th tab on the right. Select “Custom Functions (C. Fn)” from this tab. This will open a submenu of numbered options. Select #04 and set it to 0: the default AF/AE lock on a half depress of the shutter. That should get your camera back to the expected auto focus with the shutter button.
Happy shooting :-)

Fuzzie picture -meaning out of focus? Check that you have not got 1- macro setting on [setting symbol looks like a tiny plant] or that you have a low light setting which menas it is taking long exposures. Aslso the Auto foxus may not be function as it should - one possibility is that the way you hold the camera covers the 'window' make sure your fingers are aware from any of the front top panel 'windows' When you depress the shutter part way down- does the lens 'motor' to focus Or indeed are you doing part way or are snapping off shot and giving the camera time to focus? Lots of thing for you to check out, before we start getting worried. The difficult ones are if the camera has taken a knock and the lens mount has become dislodged But do all the check first and do consult the manual

we're talking milliseconds... my camera takes the picture when i press the trigger and sometimes its so fast that accidentally take the picture before i have focus lock (that my error not the cameras, i just get trigger happy sometimes)

The cause and solution may include one of the following: The camera is not turned on. Turn on the camera. The camera is processing a picture; the camera Power ring light (on the Mode dial) blinks green. Wait until the light stops blinking before taking another picture. The card or internal memory is full. Transfer pictures to the computer, delete pictures from the camera, switch storage locations, or insert a memory card with available memory. The shutter button was not pressed. Depress the shutter button completely down. There was a failure in the focus and/or exposure. Press the shutter button halfway to set the Auto Focus (AF) and Auto Exposure (AE). When the AF/AE indicator turns green, press the shutter button completely down. The battery is exhausted. Replace or recharge the battery