System error We are in Zion National Park enjoying the scenery but our camera has quit functioning. It simply says "system error" when we turn it on, after making stuttering sound (that sounds like the zoom lens is failing?) You can turn it on to view the pictures but when it is turned to shoot pictures it fails. I changed to another new battery but didnt help. This happened several months ago, but then just started working fine again one day and hasn't been a problem since then. The camera is about 3 years old. Any idea what is going on?

It sounds like there is a piece of debris floating around inside the zoom motor assembly. This would explain the way it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. It is also possible that one of the lens elements has been damaged at some point in the past and is prone to jamming now. Try gently manipulating the lens as you power on the camera, slightly twist pull and push to see if you can pop the misaligned element back into place. If this does not work you may have to send the camera in for repair. Check online for repair providers, or contact your manufacturer. David Millier Advance Camera Repair