Olympus SP 550UZ digital camera - zoom error? Hi - I have had this digital camera for almost years and LOVE it! But, we have recently begun to have a problem with it and I am wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if there is a simple fix (I believe my warranty has run out). When you turn on the camera it will sometimes (not always) say "Zoom Error" and shut off. Any ideas or advice? Thanks in advance! Olympus SP 550UZ digital camera - zoom error? Hi - I have had this digital camera for almost years and LOVE it! But, we have recently begun to have a problem with it and I am wondering if anyone... » Read More Olympus SP 550UZ digital camera - zoom error? Hi - I have had this digital camera for almost years and LOVE it! But, we have recently begun to have a problem with it and I am wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if there is a simple fix (I believe my warranty has run out). When you turn on the camera it will sometimes (not always) say "Zoom Error" and shut off. Any ideas or advice? Thanks in advance! « Show Less
1263956
I too have one of these that has the same problem. Seems like Olympus should do something about this problem as it seems to be more common than one would think. I have cleaned mine, blew it out etc and nothing works. Just keep getting the zoom error. I agree that their diagnotic check is way too high. Maybe a class action suit would take care of our problem??
1263957
Well thanks a whole lot. I was having the same problem and was prepared to buy another camera since I have had mine for a few years and read how much it was going to cost to evaluate the problem. I smacked mine as well and it works. Will blow out with a can of air as well.
1263958
Mine does this also. I just hit the view button a time or two and it goes away. It's aggravating sometimes but I have four cameras and have not bought one that is as easy to use and dependable as this one.
1263959
I too love this camera and I too am having problems,,, Same zoom error message. The lens comes out when powered up and then makes clicking noise before showing error message and powering off. I can sometimes get it to come out and work properly but it takes 4 to 5 tries sometimes. I sent it to Oly service and got same $180 estimate! Sounds very high.This is really a shame because I purchased underwater housing for this camera and it works beautifully. Newer model SPs will not fit housing and I noticed housings are no longer available through olympus. (Hmmmm, maybe housing maker doesn't want to associate with them anymore?) I'm really disappointed in Olympus. I thought they would be a good company.... I too love this camera and I too am having problems,,, Same zoom error message. The lens comes out when powered up and then makes clicking noise before showing error message and powering off. I can sometimes get it to come out and work properly but it takes 4 to 5 tries sometimes. I sent it to Oly service and got same $180 estimate! Sounds very high.This is really a shame because I purchased underwater housing for this camera and it works beautifully. Newer model SPs will not fit housing and I noticed housings are no longer available through olympus. (Hmmmm, maybe housing maker... » Read More I too love this camera and I too am having problems,,, Same zoom error message. The lens comes out when powered up and then makes clicking noise before showing error message and powering off. I can sometimes get it to come out and work properly but it takes 4 to 5 tries sometimes. I sent it to Oly service and got same $180 estimate! Sounds very high.This is really a shame because I purchased underwater housing for this camera and it works beautifully. Newer model SPs will not fit housing and I noticed housings are no longer available through olympus. (Hmmmm, maybe housing maker doesn't want to associate with them anymore?) I'm really disappointed in Olympus. I thought they would be a good company.... « Show Less
1263960
I smacked mine a couple of times on the side of the lens took an air can and blew in all the cracks and crevices, Put electronic endust on a lens cleaning tissue and forcefully pulled the telephoto lens out gently while pushing on the extension button and wiped it all clean several times. Even ran the tissue a ways into the crevice surrounding the lens. Somehow it started working again which thrilled me since Ehow wanted $176 just to look at it if I would send it in. It still sounds a little scratchy but I will continue cleaning it every use. It sounds like it has a minute piece of sand or something in it. Hope this will work for you. I smacked mine a couple of times on the side of the lens took an air can and blew in all the cracks and crevices, Put electronic endust on a lens cleaning tissue and forcefully pulled the telephoto lens out gently while pushing on the extension button and wiped it all clean several times. Even ran the tissue a ways into the crevice surrounding the lens. Somehow it started working again which thrilled me since Ehow wanted $176 just to look at it if I would send it in. It still sounds a little scratchy but I will continue cleaning it every use. It sounds like it has a minute piece of sand or... » Read More I smacked mine a couple of times on the side of the lens took an air can and blew in all the cracks and crevices, Put electronic endust on a lens cleaning tissue and forcefully pulled the telephoto lens out gently while pushing on the extension button and wiped it all clean several times. Even ran the tissue a ways into the crevice surrounding the lens. Somehow it started working again which thrilled me since Ehow wanted $176 just to look at it if I would send it in. It still sounds a little scratchy but I will continue cleaning it every use. It sounds like it has a minute piece of sand or something in it. Hope this will work for you. « Show Less
1263961
Same thing happened to me, twice. The first one was replaced under warranty, the second one did the Same problem for me "Zoom Error" and the warranty ran out after the store replaced the first one for the same issue. Internet search has many posts from consumers that are having the same problem. Cannot send for repair to Olympus, no parts. Probably because it was a "lemon". I rarely write reviews but I am not a happy camper spending my money on junk! Also, we rarely used either one of them. It was purchased to take pics of the grandchildren. Olympus is getting back to me w/some kind of discount coupon/code to use towards another purchase. They want the receipt submitted, hope you still have yours. Same thing happened to me, twice. The first one was replaced under warranty, the second one did the Same problem for me "Zoom Error" and the warranty ran out after the store replaced the first one for the same issue. Internet search has many posts from consumers that are having the same problem. Cannot send for repair to Olympus, no parts. Probably because it was a "lemon". I rarely write reviews but I am not a happy camper spending my money on junk! Also, we rarely used either one of them. It was purchased to take pics of the grandchildren. Olympus is getting back to me... » Read More Same thing happened to me, twice. The first one was replaced under warranty, the second one did the Same problem for me "Zoom Error" and the warranty ran out after the store replaced the first one for the same issue. Internet search has many posts from consumers that are having the same problem. Cannot send for repair to Olympus, no parts. Probably because it was a "lemon". I rarely write reviews but I am not a happy camper spending my money on junk! Also, we rarely used either one of them. It was purchased to take pics of the grandchildren. Olympus is getting back to me w/some kind of discount coupon/code to use towards another purchase. They want the receipt submitted, hope you still have yours. « Show Less
1263962
Thanks for your reply. I don't think I have done anything to inhibit lens movement and I have wiped the lens mechanism several times with a soft cloth. I did contact Olympus but because my warranty period had ended several months prior, they were charging $189 just to diagnose and if it needed something "extensive" it would be an additional cost to repair it. I plan to purchase another camera instead of repairing it but it will not be an Olympus. Bummer, I really liked this camera when it worked.
1263963
Anything you do to inhibit lens placement will cause zoom error. If you aren't doing anything to inhibit lens movement, maybe there's a bit of schmutz?Otherwise, call olympus and please post reply.Peter
1561178
FYI, when I got mine replaced, they honered the original warrenty(1 year) expiration date. I love this camera, 'cause no one knows your shooting when carefully placed in pocket! WEEEE! Got it replaced this last summer, current one still working great, although that same connection is getting to the spooky point! SO, I just B VERY CAREFUL now! 4 the price, and it's NO DETECTION ability, it's WELL worth it!
722029
I just got my camera back from the Cannon Factory and they said found that it was an internal issue, they replaced "something" and sent it back and it works just fine! Sorry this isn't a more helpful post for those of you without a warranty! I'll keep looking through my paperwork at home and see if they were more specific AT ALL in stating what the mystery "something" was that didn't work. Just wanted to update as I promised I would!
1155249
Just as a FYI. I have had a lot of problems with the cameras loosing signa. I'm sure that there is a spec on this from the manufacturer but I would reduce it by 50% as a guideline. If you have a problem with the camera the return policy is pretty bad.... meaning that you pay for shipping. Find another camera supplier.
967861
Way to go you rock... I just erased my Kodak zx-3 internal memory and then updated it with latest firmware all in disk utility on my mac mini.Reformatted my sd card in the camera ....Now it is good as new.It was stoping recording after one sec every time I tried to record...Now it is fixed thanks to you my friend..Rock ON!
628941
Although I've read about it, I've never had the problem with my camera. There is a firmware update from Kodak to solve the problem. This is the link: http://support.en.kodak.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17507/kw/m580/selected/true
454805
This happened to us too. Warranty is only good for a year. But unplugging the camera and plugging it back in seem to fix the issue for us.
70969
I have had problems with this camera, doing things like that. Seems like a good little camera if you don't try to zoom but the image stability feature doesn't work well. Any zoom at all and the picture blurs. I have found that if I want to take pictures that are going to need zoom then I take it on the highest number pixel available and use a program to zoom in on the part that I want, later.
309520
Sharon, this happened to me as well during the warranty period so I sent it to Panasonic and they fixed it for free. It is a cheapy plastic shutter window for such a nice camera. Good luck!
1643384
I don't know of any issues with the recorder, I've never had any problems with them, except one time I thought something froze, but restart fixed it, no problems since then. There is a firmware update on Olympus site but its not real recent. They don't make this recorder anymore. Sony has a new recorder/video cam coming out this month to take place of the Olympus but from demo's I've seen of that one the Zeiss lens isn't very sharp, the Olympus has a better lens from what I can see.
2069956
I have experienced the same thing but my camera is a few years old. Initially I had an awful time with its flash not working. Just as the warranty would expire, the flash stopped functioning. Nikon fixed it once and replaced the entire camera the second time. But now with this shutter problem, I am fed up. I do not trust the camera, and Nikon by extension. I have a 35 year old Nikkormat which is in my attic, which never gave me any problems. Bummer. I am in the market for another camera, not a Nikon.
2225823
I have had two lumix zs8 cameras and both had the same issue within less than 5 months! Lovw everything else about the camera...
1743335
Yes, I just verified this by checking my owner's manual. (If you drop the camera and it breaks, that is not covered for free, for example.) But Olympus guarantees the camera will be free from manufacturer defects; otherwise, they will fix it for a year from the purchase date. You need to register your camera with the CD that comes in the camera box - this is important to do for the warranty. As a side note, I had to send one of my Olympus cameras in for a repair - which I caused by accidentally dropping the camera - and the Olympus service department is first rate. It was a very easy process, including the payment which Olympus accurately estimates for you prior to sending in your camera. The service time was extremely quick, too. Olympus also guarantees their repair for a time period, which is nice.
1229448
We never had problems with the camera . Sorry can't help u there. We bought two of these for tje kids last Xmas and the one stopped working after 6 months and the other is really slow. Was very disappointed ..good luck!!
575516
Mine has an issue for some reason . My camera gives out an error and then i have to reboot the camera.. I only used it couple of times maybe I am not using it right
153028
Guys, Fuji repairs all SAB affected cameras even after the warranty expired. I got that in writing from Fuji support and am not worried at all. They know they will lose customers if they don't fix this quality related issue. I will keep my x100 and don't upgrade. The s is tempting but I rather wait for a new Xpro-2 with all the nice new features ;)
1157631
Our camera is still working beautifully; I have not heard whether others have had issues. Good luck!