Camera was dropped, lens will not retract, when on/off button is pressed the initial screen and sound appear but then the camera makes a kind of warning sound and E18 appears in the lower left hand co

hi, the camera must also be giving a lens error and must be making a whirring sound when turned on, hold the camera with camera off bang it with flat of hand , a few times , if this does not work , repeat it with camera on, even if this does not, when turning the camera on gently apply pressure on the front of the lens, do this just once , all the above fails , camera has to be service , lens unit may have to be changed

it sounds like it has slipped a gear in the lens.. you could try to manually push the lens in when it comes out and that might reset it but it also might break it.. best is to send it back to panasonic.. is a easy fix

Hi,

The ACCESS error message displays when there is an internal malfunction or a malfunction with the Lens. This may also appear when accessing the Memory Stick for reading or writing the data. If the Lens is moving in and out then follow the steps mentioned below. The error message normally displays with the issue with the Lens. Try the following steps to check if the issue can be resolved.
Try power resetting the Camera.
Turn off the Camera.
Remove the battery pack.
Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
Then, allow the Camera to remain without power for 60 seconds.
Re-insert the battery pack and check if the Lens retracts.
You can also try resetting the Camera back to factory default. To reset the Camera back to factory default, select the INITIALIZE option from the Setup 1 Menu of the Camera to OK. (Menu-->Setup-->Setup 1-->Initialize-->OK.)

This should resolve the issue. If the issue persists, service may be required.

Thanks for using FixYa

Option 1:

Try Initializing the Camera as follow; Initializing the Camera will reset the settings of the Camera to the factory settings including date and time. It will not delete any data saved in the Camera.

Press the Home button on the Camera. Then, select the SETTINGS -> MAIN SETTINGs -> MAIN SETTINGS 1 -> INITIALIZE -> OK.

Option 2:

If issue persists try Power reset the Camera by removing the battery from the Camera and inserting it after 1 minute.

If the issue still persists then Service may requires to resolve it.

This is a very common issue with digital camera on either the lens gears have to be replaced or the lens barrel need replacing. I rebuild these lenses all the time for 75.00 plus shipping and the turn around is normally less then a week. if you still need help fell free to contact me at [email protected]

Have you initialized the SD card? Go to the set-up menu and initialize the card. Also check for a timed-shut-off option.

Is your lens not retracting?
I've got the same problem and with the lens not retracting - this is why i get the message.

Hello!!!

please remove your batteries and press the power button for few seconds and replace the batteries now and try switching on ...





Regards
Smilemaker.

1. Upon startup lens emerges but when screen appears it is white whereas it normally displays whatever the lens sees. When the shutter button is pressed the camera will focus and take a white picture which can be deleted. The camera does not flash although flash is set to automatic and photo taken in a dark room. Camera flashes (weakly) with flash set to manual on. Lens is unobstructed and appears to be perfectly normal. Camera was not dropped. Batteries have been changed.