Canon sx20 problem

That noise you hear is associated with the auto focus motor and circuitry.

Go to this website for the solution:

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

Having gone three months without a response to my query, I assume my suggestion to use a card readers solved the problem.

hi there reset the camera then format the memory card & turn off for 5 minutes. After that turn on with empty memory card 7 let me know the result.

Battery life can fluctuate greatly from day to day. It all depends on the type of photography you are doing. For example, on one day, you spent the day taking pictures outside in the sunlight, with no flash, and didn't use your camera's screen to review any of the pictures. The next day, you spent the day inside, taking lots of pictures using the flash, zooming in and out on people's faces and reviewing the pictures using the camera's screen.
Features like the flash, zoom, LCD screen and image stabilization (IS) use a great deal more battery life than if you were to not use any of those features. This could explain why it suddenly seems like the batteries aren't lasting more than a day.
However, if your photography habits have not changed enough to potentially affect battery life, there could be an issue with either the image stabilization hardware or the standby mode of the camera. If the image stabilization (a fully mechanical feature) is malfunctioning, it could be activating when it shouldn't be, such as when the camera is on but you aren't about to take a picture.
I would try testing the camera by taking pictures using different camera settings.

1. Turn off the flash and image stabilization, use the viewfinder instead of the LCD live view mode, do not zoom in or out. Take as many pictures as you can before the batteries die.
2. Keep the flash and image stabilization on, use the LCD live view mode, use the zoom frequently. Take as many pictures as possible before the batteries die.

With test #1, you should see much better battery life than with test #2. If you still experience decreased battery life either way, there may be a hardware issue with the camera. Should this be the case, contact Canon Support to find out whether or not your manufacturer's warranty covers this problem.

I'd send an email to Canon, directly. Or call. You may be surprised to find that it could be covered by them, not Best Buy. I have three Canon cameras and I find that they have superior customer service. Quick and inexpensive - and sometimes at no cost. . Give it a try.

If this is a new camera and you are having so many problems in the first week, try to return it or, at least use the warranty to get the company to fix it.

I had the same problem with the same lens. Over a few months it got lose, eventually getting so sloppy that it dropped if my 40D was held down. 10 days ago it jammed and the zoom was locked. I sent it to Canon and received it back in a week and it is now like new. Please don't try and fix it leave it to the experts at Canon. Not sure what the cost was as mine was still just under warranty
I think that this is a common problem with this lens and beleive that something in the lense works loose and eventually drops into the mechanism.

Sometimes this happens.
If it's defective, take it back and get a new one.
Do not try to repair. Good Luck.

If this solution helped you please vote it.

1 1/2 years, months, weeks? a little unclear.

you should not hear the zoom motor operate. you should not hear the result of its operation as elements move along.
you have a worn gear or contamination, or other defect. its probably minor. it happens.

return for service. its a good unit. but i would compare repair cost to replacement of latest comparable unit and then explore an upgrade option.

good luck
mark