The camera isn't powering on despite new duracell batteries, switching all 3 modes, and the oft-repeated thumping routine. Funnily, the lens cover's open....

You need to go in and physically open the lens cover.
1. take out batteries 2. remove memory card + the small phillips screw.
3. remove the 3 remaining exterior screws. carefully with a small flat tip screwdriver pry the plastic halves slowly. eventually they will come apart. 4. at the bottom remove the small ribbon cable. 5. disconnect the mini motor wire, black and red. 6. unscrew the motor drive for the lens cover and then open the lens. 7. purchase a new lens cover motor. 8. If your screen still says turn off , then press menu and delete some files. good luck ! Work Slowly and carefully and ground your hands to a pipe somewhere before working on the unit. the static electricity could ruin the circuits !

Hi there. I have a feeling that you put the batteries in wrong ,that's why the red light is flashing or the wrong type of batteries. (+ to + - to - ) is the correct way. Make sure the batteries are full when installed and don't mix old with new.

Sounds like the battery might be low which would cause the red flashing light and dark screen. Let it charge for a little bit then try turning it on again. If it still does it with the power supply plugged in, make sure there isn't a lens cover on it, and switch modes or try getting into the menu to see if you can get anything to come up. If that still doesn't work then it sounds like there might be a problem with the camera.

I would say to check the batteries and their connecting surfaces plus the contacts in the battery compartment. With bad connections on the batteries, when the camera zooms slowly it does not use much power. When zooming fast it uses more power (current) and if the batteries are making a poor contact the camera will shut down due to low volts. Check that first before spending big money. If you are using Duracell batteries, they have a short + pip end which some devices will not work with them due to poor conection. Compair a duracell battery with another brand. see the difference on the + end.

I had the same problem, my workaround was:
1. turn on the camera, you will hear some beeping as the lens tries to raise from the body of the camera
2. wait until the camera turns off
3. pull the lens gently until you hear a 'click'
4. turn on the camera again, it will work normally (hopefully)

Another interesting thing, you can switch on the camera in "play mode" only, by holding down the play button on the back while pressing the power button. In that way, the lens will not raise and you can copy the images.

A stuck lens cover is a fairly common problem, but it is normally easy to fix. A single grain of sand jamming the cover mechanism is normally the culprit, and you want to try to dislodge it: 1) Try blowing lots of compressed air around the lens cover to clean the mechanism. Or use a hair dryer for a few seconds (don't want to heat up the camera). Use no heat mode if possible. 2) Slide a thin strip of paper between the lens cover shutters and the outer support ring. Work it around 360 degres to clear out any debris that may be in there. 3) With the lens barrel extended and pointed downward, tap the lens barrel with a pencil while you extend and retract the lens by powering the camera on and off. Repeat the above three steps several times. If repeated tries don't work (keeping in mind that it usually does), it then may be necessary to open the lens barrel to access the lens cover mechanism.

You can open the lens barrel up to fiix the covers, but only as a very last resort. The above procedures normally work if you try them enough. But for those particularly nasty stuck mechanisms, here's an example repair on a Canon Powershot A400 (do this at your own risk, and it will void your warranty).

the batteries needed for the cameras are quite high powered

though the batteries show that they are fuly charged most times they have lost their actual capacity of power storage in them so not being able to supply enough to start the camera best way to test this is to start the camera on preview mode if this works then you will need to buy a new set of rechargable batteries, i would suggest to take batteries in the range of 2000MAh to 2500MAh and

the normal batteries will not be able to sustain long even for normal lens open and retract functions, instead of normal batteries try LR6 varieties (eg: Duracell, Energizer, etc)

Hi,

Try a new set of batteries for your camera and try to switch it on.
If that doesn't help then try these,

A stuck automatic lens cover may be your problem, but it is normally easy to fix.
Try these:

1) Try blowing lots of compressed air around the lens cover to clean the mechanism. Or use a hair dryer for a few seconds (don't want to heat up the camera). Use no heat mode if possible.

2) Slide a thin strip of paper between the lens cover shutters and the outer support ring. Work it around 360 degres to clear out any debris that may be in there.

3) With the lens barrel extended and pointed downward, tap the lens barrel with a pencil while you extend and retract the lens by powering the camera on and off.But this step may not be a option since your camera is in a dead state.

Repeat the above steps several times. If repeated tries don't work (keeping in mind that it usually does),
it then may be necessary to open the lens barrel to access the lens cover mechanism.

But if you still got the warranty , you better leave this repair work to the panasonic service center.
Refer to this site for support.
www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Supplies-Accessories/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Camera-Accessories.75681


This is just initial help, tell me how things turned up, so that i can follow you up,
Waiting for your comments.
Hope my info helps you,
Thanx for using fixya,

I am experiencing exactly the same problem with my Canon Powerhot S2IS. I tried the same thing to remedy it by cleaning off the contacts, but no luck. And it's not simply a cold weather problem. My camera does this with brand new Duracell batteries as well as with freshly recharged NMH batteries. What gives? I've had the camera for nealy 2 years and have taken excellent care of it.

I had the same issue and thought me Ebay camera was trash. I put the batteries back on the charger over night and it worked properly in the morning. Looked to be a low power issue, but my lens did look like it was all cocked, grinding and stalling. perhaps the camera reset itself with no batteries in it for a few hours> I was very relieved.