I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-tz3 camera. I dropped it and cracked the lens cover and badly bent the metal lens part. Can I order the new lens and replace it myself, or must it be sent in? It doesnt seem to screw off.

Try these procedures.

Digital cameras have too many circuit connectors that could develop contact resistance without boundary lubricants. Cheaper to buy a new digital camera.

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote about How toget a Digital Camera Lens to work again

Steps toRepair a Digital Camera Lens
heatman101

Need to replace len assembly

i think the colours have gone behind the screen can it be repaired lumix tz7

Lumix len goes in and out then I'm told to shut off

Very strange do you have a picture ?

Please see my solution to your problem on other peoples questions with the same problem.

Common problem with TZ3. You can try to lub lens cover using graphite lub. Use it sparingly and after lens works, wipe off excess with dust cloth. Be sure not to get any on lens itself.

If lub doesn't work, you can pull out the lens cover altogether and find a manual lens cap the will fit.

The other option is to sell it on ebay to a repairman in a auction and replace it with another working used ones. Keep your accessories and by a used one cheap without accessories.

Try letting it drop about 4 tto 6 inches on a hard service covered by a paper towel. Don't let it land on lens of course. You can remove the mem card. It has 13Meg of internal.