20 Most Recent Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20 Digital Camera - Page 3 Questions & Answers

Sometimes, "error" just means you need to format the new card in the camera before using it.

Unfortunately, no. Later cameras had design modifications that permit the use of SDHC cards but this one came before they were introduced.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program.

With experiences in other cameras I've found a nice, easy way of fixing things tends to be a "hard reboot" I think it's called. Turn the camera on, then remove the battery while it's still on causing the camera to shut down due to power failure. Put the battery back in and IME, all should be well.

Also, I quote other comments:
"Pretty much the only advice I can give is much the same as summers above. Take the battery out and run it completely flat using a safe method like wiring it to a car headlight bulb. Then recharge it completely.
Having left the camera battery out, put the camera in a plastic bag and leave it in the fridge overnight to ensure that any capacitance charge in it drains.
Try again afterwards."


Other posibilitie... your camera has a lens error, this is such a common fault that I hope you don't mind me pasting my stock generic answer below. No point in reinventing the wheel. Stuck lenses are probably the most common reason that compact digital cameras get thrown away, but there's a fair chance of recovering use of your camera again

The fault is commonly caused by dirt or grit blocking the mechanism, or due to it having suffered a recent fall. Another common cause is that the camera was in a pocket or bag and the power button accidentally activated and tried to open the lens against resistance. The mechanism may have simply become dislodged or there may be parts which have broken.

If your camera is still under warranty and has definitely not been subject to misuse then contact the Panasonic service department in your country to find out about a free repair. If the warranty has expired though a professional repair will far exceed the cost of replacing your camera. You will therefore have nothing to lose by trying to fix this yourself.

Please click here and you will be taken to an excellent article provided by the Camera Repair website. For the most part, you'll be guided on how to physically manipulate your camera to try and clear the fault. Although the article mentions Canon a few times, the advice applies equally to all cameras with lens errors and is not model-specific.

Hope this helps; send us your comments.

Memory card do get faulty through period of time. Just to verify that your SD card is ok, insert your SD card into a card reader and verify if your SD card can be read on the PC.

Hope it helps.

Hi, You may have to download an update driver for your new OS..

Here is a tip that I wroteabout how to find the manuals, drivers, downloads and supportfor Digital Cameras.

DigitalCamera Manuals, Drivers, Downloads, and Support
How to easilydownload Pictures from Digital Camera
heatman101

Press cursor-left (marked with a one-handed clock).

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program, such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Having gone over five months without a response, I assume my suggestion to use a card reader solved the problem.

I have the same camera whose lens zoom assembly is broken and is proving too costly to repair in Delhi ,India.In case you would like to take mine you are welcome and vice versa. Do let me know at [email protected] Thats all the help I can offer.

SD cards have a slide switch along one edge. The position farthest from the contacts locks the card, protecting it from writes. The position nearest the contacts unlocks the card. If the switch is already in the proper position, slide it fully the other way and then back again.

Hello

Thank you for using FIXYA!!!

This is a suggestion. If you do not feel comfortable trying it, you will need to take the unit to your nearest service centre. Feel free to let me know if you need any assistance.

The problem might be that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

You can try but I'll bet your system will refuse the installation. You won't hurt anything by trying. Go to the support section of the Panasonic website. They have lots of free software downloads and you might find an updated one to fit your needs.

I never experienced anything like that with my old FZ20 but with experiences in other cameras I've found a nice, easy way of fixing things tends to be a "hard reboot" I think it's called. Turn the camera on, then remove the battery while it's still on causing the camera to shut down due to power failure. Put the battery back in and IME, all should be well.

I have the same problem. The button feels like it won't press. Then as you give it more force, it suddenly goes. After that the camera works normally for the rest of the session. If I leave it sitting for a few minutes or so, the button somehow 'resets' to this frozen position. Again, forcing the button frees it and it works fine again until you put it away and try again later. Very strange!!!

It appears to be a lens issue. Contact Panasonic Support to get this fixed, as opening your camera can cause more damage than it already has. Here is the Panasonic Support Site: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_69f3cc28d95bf514

It's all to do with SD cards greater than 1GB and the limitations of the camera firmware. For some reason the camera dumps an extra 16KB of junk 16KB into the Tiff which throws everything out.
I have a utility (drop me a line and I'll send it to you) I threw together using some 3rd party tools to fix and affected TIFF files but leave all unaffected ones alone. Just run it in the folder where you store the broken files.
Rob

Hello, please get it here : www.userdrivers.com > Camcorder
www.nodevice.com/driver/company/Panasonic/page10.html

Hello

The problem is that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

You said it in the last seven words "deleted the pictures off the memory cards" Once the pictures have been downloaded to the computer Hard Drive you need to Format the memory card. Formatting a memory card is done in the camera it is to be used which brings it back to a clean surface and compatibility. Your manual said that "normally" formatting isn't necessary which is a pile the bull left behind. I could go into detail as to why format but I'm trying to keep this short/
Here is a diagram to show you where the "format" menus is and what to do with it.

Diagram

Cheers