Recently my Canon camera stopped taking pictures. It will take a picture if the flash isn't needed or of you turn the flash off; however, if the flash is needed, the orange flash light will come on but the flash light on the screen will blink and no picture is taken. Thanks for your help!

It's very likely the CCD sensor that needs to be replaced. If you need to have it serviced, this place is excellent for the Powershots and not much at all if you need to have one fixed: www.camerasandparts.com
Before having it fixed, press the DISP button first and make sure you just didn't turn the display off. If you end up needing service for the Canon, that place above is really great for these cameras.

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 Linda: Sometimes?
If you can check menu settigns there, isnt the LCD screenviewer, then sound like a malfunctioning CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor... in both cases (LCD or CCD) this isn't a job that you could solve yourself; this wrong include distorted images or abnormal colors, scratchy purple lines, blank or black pictures, and/or black videos with good sound being recorded on the camera's flash card.

I suggest check this link for additional details in this previous solutions for an Defective CCD and next contact your Canon service. I strongly suggest (taking into consideration the age of your camera) to evaluate the cost of repair versus the cost of a new camera with similar features, before making a final desicion.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I'll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using Fixya, and have a nice day.

The A6XX series is prone to stuck shutter problems, particularly if the camera isn't used very often. Lens lubricating grease can coagulate on the shutter, immobilizing it. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

It's probably too dark and the flash isn't powerful enough to assist the focus mechanism on far away objects (more than 10-15 feet).

If you will need to switch to manual focus and maybe manual exposure.

Two things there, first... could be a problem with the viewer screen, or, second choice could be a problem with the CCD sensor or go to bad; in both cases this isn't a job that you could solve yourself; this wrong include distorted images or abnormal colors, scratchy purple lines, blank or black pictures, and/or black videos with good sound being recorded on the camera's flash card.

I suggest check THIS LINK for additional details in this previous solutions for an Defective CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and next contact your Canon service. I strongly suggest (taking into consideration the age of your camera) to evaluate the cost of repair versus the cost of a new camera with similar features, before making a final desicion.

Hope this helps; check it and keep us updated..

Did you check if the lens was stuck or broken? Or there might be a setting in the camera that locks it.

Holly, I believe you are referring to the pre flash for the ETTL function. both flashes happen so so fast that it looks like one flash. If your pictures seem dark make sure your flash is set to ETTL (press the MODE button unlit ETTL is displayed) this way the flash output is automatic. If it is still too dark you can change the flash output by adjusting the FEL (flash exposure composition) by pressing the button in the center of the dial until +/- is displayed the turn the wheel to select a + exposure (you can adjust this in 1/3 stop increments) then press the center button again. This can be found on pg 14 of the manual
Hope this helps.

This is not an answer. The S3 normally does not produce dark pictures, and I have seen this issue before. It has to do with a setting somewhere on that camera that needs to be adjusted. I wish I knew what that setting was/is as my wife's camera has recently started doing this ...

having the same problem, although after about a year of having it. i've come to the conclusion that the flash itself is broken, if you shake the camera you'll hear something moving around (at least that's my case) and i'm supposing it's similar to a burnt light bulb kinda thing. so the solution would probably be to send the camera to canon itself or find someone who can replace the flash (and buy one as well). I can't do either because I live out of the US =(