My Lumix Zs3 (perfect for 3 years) suddenly says "MEMORY CARD ERROR PLEASE CHECK THE CARD." Won't read / format any card (brand new or old). Ideas? Help? Thanks!

SOURCE: Message: Memory Card Error - Memory Card Parameter Error on 4gb SDHC card

I have been rummaging around trying to find two solutions: 1) to get my Toshiba Satellite card reader to read SDHC cards and 2) to get my desktop USB ports to read SDHC cards. While MS offers a hotfix for XP, it does not always work because of the different Chip Sets in computers. I have also read where posters say that the SDHC card works in the compter NOW, but NOW will not work in the camera... and the SDHC card NOW works in the camera but will NOT work in the computer.... I found a tekkie article that may help clear the air... SDHC cards are formatted in Fat32x (NOTICE the "x") and SD cards are formatted in Fat32 (no 'x') and these compatibility problems arise when the user unwittingly or unknowingly RE-formats the SDHC card, either when it is put in the computer and won't read or when it is put in the camera and won't read... but just don't bother to mention that THAT is what they did upon inserting the card and only proceeded to complain about an apparent incompatibility. The camera or computer might even mislead you asking if you want to format the card..... but all is not lost. The Panasonic site gives a program AND a pdf instruction book on How To ReFormat an SD or SDHC card specifying the proper Fat32x or Fat32 format. Hope this helps.

SOURCE: Message: Memory Card Error - Memory Card Parameter Error on 4gb SDHC card

I recently bought a DMC-TZ3 and have been researching memory cards. Several sites sell cards with the camera and list the card type. I would suggest buying one of these cards. Any cards larger than 2gb must be SDHC type SD cards. There appear to different types of SDHC cards, 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0. Check out Wikipedia.org for a description. 2.0 cards are not compatable for devices developed prior to 2.0 so that may be the reason for the camera problem. So far I haven't seen anything that states what type SDHC card the camera requires. I found a computer memory site that that sells memory that they say will work. There may be others.
http://www.mymemory.co.uk/compatible-memory/Digital_Cameras/Panasonic/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC-TZ3

SOURCE: bought 8gb memory card - error message

Hi, I suspect that the SD card is to big for that camera as that camera is a lower end camera. You should try the SD card in a camera that is known to be able to handle such a huge card.

SOURCE: Lumix zs3 "system error (focus) Camera

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

SOURCE: Message: Memory Card Error - Memory Card Parameter Error on 4gb SDHC card

you may try some card recovery software, recommended asoftech photo recovery that helped me before.
http://www.asoftech.com/apr/

If needed, you may do a quick format of the card, and then use asoftech photo recovery to recover files.