Sluggish picture taking, unknown symbols on screen

Hi,

The symbol with the moon/stars should relate to taking night-time pictures. The lightening symbol stands for flash (ie light shown when photo is taken). The delay should be due to the flash taking time to charge up prior to the photo.

Thank you.

I confirm that tiggywiggy's solution works. Just pull out the battery and hit it with your hand.

Many cameras that have view finders do not support use of the LCD display to compose or frame a picture. This is generally to conserve battery life of the camera. Most of these cameras limit how long a picture is displayed on the screen to 10 or 15 seconds, immediately after taking for the very same reason.

The exception would be a camera that lacks a view finder - or has a menu item that allows the user to compose the picture on the LCD in addition to the viewfinder. Some manufacturers call this "live view". Check your camera manual to see if it is supported. If so, be sure to buy extra batteries!

I hope this helps & good luck!

try to reset it by taking out the battery for a few min. then put the battery back in an turn it on. if that don't work go to www.canon.com click on Brochures & Manuals an down load the manual for your canon free.

simultaneously press the display button untill you see the battery icon. the display button would also switch other icons as you press it.

A lot of cameras seem to be having this issue (including myself). Eventually it got to a point where the camera doesn't even turn on properly anymore. Better take it back for repair, STAT before it ends up like mine :(

Is there a symbol on the screen of a lightning bolt in a circle with a diagonal line going through it? If so, your flash is turned off. If not, maybe the pictures you're trying to take don't require flash. Do they seem to coming out ok?

Don you hear it function when you press the shutter? Does it start up in any way when you turn it on? Knowing whether or not it is an expensive camera or a more "point & shoot" would be helpful. Are they rechargeable batteries? It coud be as simple as your batteries (rechargeable) have worn out. If it is not the batteries, well, time for a new camera. Batteries are the only thing you can address, provided they are removeable.

Here are some simple things to try first for a camera that won't take a picture when the shutter button is pressed, or with an inoperative flash. They won't work for every case, but they're worth a try:
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2008/05/simple-fixes-for-cameras-that-wont-take.html

Press the FN button under the toggle on right side of LCD screen. You will see white balance on left. Toggle down to the "flash" symbol".  Should work a treat now. If not using flash go to FN again and raise ISO.(Don"t forget to go to Auto white balance again!!)