The screen doesn't show anything when the lens is pointed at the subject. it does take a picture, but the picture itself does not show anything.

Um, no. EOS Rebel is a "single lens reflex" camera. The display on the back does not show live image. Use the viewfinder above it. After you take a picture, the picture will show on the screen for a few seconds.

You didn't say if you could see the subject in the LCD prior to taking a picture. If not, the lens isn't opening. If you can see the subject, it would probably be a defective sensor chip.

There seems to be two separate issues here. I'm going to assume you have a charged battery pack in the camera.

First, the screen. Turn the camera on. Do you see the menu when you press the MENU button? Does the shooting info show when you press the Info button? Can you see previously taken photos when you press the Playback button? If none of those show up then something is wrong with the screen (or the battery is dead).

Second, the viewfinder. First, make sure the viewfinder in the back is clean. Now turn the camera on and look through the viewfinder. Do you see the eleven focus marks? Do you see the info at the bottom? Now turn the camera off and remove the lens. Don't touch anything inside the camera! Do you see a mirror at a 45-degree angle? Is it clean? Look at the focusing screen above the mirror. Is it clean? Now look through the viewfinder and point the camera out a window. Do you see a more-or-less white blob, or the same grainy dark film?

Check for dirt on the front element of the lens. I am always amazed that almost every point and shoot digital I see has a filthy lens.

This can also be caused by condensation inside the lens or on the rear element

The instructions for changing the resolution are on page 30 of the manual.
If the pictures are fuzzy, increasing the resolution won't help. The most likely causes of fuzzy pictures are as follows
1) Focus. Check to make sure the focus is on the subject. If something else in the picture is sharp while others are not, then the camera may have focused on the wrong subject.
2) Subject motion. If moving objects are fuzzier than stationary objects then you need to use a faster shutter speed (or flash).
3) Camera motion. Just because the camera is on a tripod doesn't mean it doesn't move. One philosophy says that if a tripod is light enough to be carried then it's not sturdy enough. For a compact camera like the SD850 that likely isn't the problem. However, you can still shake the camera when you press the shutter release button. Try setting the self-timer. This allows time for the vibrations to die down before snapping the picture.
In your particular case, I think we can assume that the subject isn't moving, so #2 doesn't apply. To assure proper focus, make sure the painting is flat and perpendicular to the lens axis. If the painting is tilted relative to the camera, then different parts of it will be at different distances and the camera won't be able to keep all of it in focus.
Also, make sure the front of the lens is clean.

Hi Digital cameras have brought more fun to photography than anything since the first Polaroid, but there's a little more to making them work than point and click. Short of dropping the camera into a lake, though, most of the problems you'll encounter have simple fixes.
Taking Pictures

Step 1If the image quality is poor, check the lens to make sure it's clean (see How to Remove Fingerprints From a Camera Lens). Learn how to focus or pre-focus your model of camera. Check the manual to see what resolutions your camera supports and make sure you know which one is selected. Higher resolutions give better pictures but take up more digital space. If using flash, make sure you're close enough to the subject.Sharpen photos on computer after downloading (see How to Get Top-Notch Scans).Step 2.Having problems locating the pictures you took? Look for playback or review mode on the camera to view pictures on your camera. Use the arrow buttons to scroll through pictures. Make sure the battery is attached properly and that the camera is powered, to confirm pictures were actually taken.

mcdevito75 here, Press the SHIFT key, a screen should come up telling you too click on your user name, left lower side of screen. If this doesn"t work, press the yellow blinking light on the monitor see if picture comes back, then follow the directions. If this doesn"t work, shut computer down with switch on the computer itself. Hope this helps.

Most cameras and video recorders now display picture either through the viewfinder or the LCD screen.
Your camera model allows the same. Although if you turn the lcd screen towards the subject (screen faces the same direction as the lens) then the viewfinder switches on.

My nikon coolpix 4500 has the flashing red clock as well with the hands of the clock pointed to 9 oclock and a white dot on the oppostie side of the 9

Do you hear any unusual friction noise while the lens assembly projects out.. if so then the traction assembly of your zoom barrel has developed mechanical obstruction, in which case it has to be serviced. Take it to the service centre and the problem will be solved. If the zoom assembly does not fully extent to its homing position, the camera retracts and lens and powers itself off. Enjoy