When I power up the camera the lens opens and immediately retracts and the camera shuts off. I've attempted to push every button while turning on the camera to no avail. I also held onto the lens when it opened. Though the lens remained extended, the camera powered off. When I turned it back on the lens retracted and the camera powered off.

it sounds like it has slipped a gear in the lens.. you could try to manually push the lens in when it comes out and that might reset it but it also might break it.. best is to send it back to panasonic.. is a easy fix

It needs either service or repair

Hello and Welcome to FixYa!
This indicates that the Camera lens is retracted, to D.I.Y be careful not to be aggressive with the Gadget If the lens is retracted, hold up the camera to your eye and look at the lens. If you see one end sticking out a little bit, push that side in and press the power button. It should work. If the lens isn't retracted, push the lens around until it is in its regular position. When you press the power button, it will retract and come out again and should work fine.
If the procedure above does not resolve the problem, your camera requires service, fill out our online service request form so that we can further diagnose and correct the problem.
I hope this will help you out, If you are still having issues/questions, do ask.

If you think I was of help, your token of appreciation in the form of rating will be esteemed.
Concerned, Nooh

Try these procedures.

FOLLOW this procidure open the camera then rotate the lens and set it like it was before

i called the company (1-888-553-4448) olympusamerica.com and they told me to send it in and they will repair it for 70.95 plus a 6months warranty because i cant find my reciept. they also said what eva is wrong with it they will be able to repair it, but if u have ur warranty u can send it to them it wont cost u anything because u have ur reciept.

Powershot A640 Could Not Be Powered On, Burnt Smell

My Powershot A640 died during a picture shot, lens remaining open. I thought it may be due to the dead batteries. But after putting new batteries and pushing the on/off button, the on/off indicator blinked once then shut off by itself. After a while, a strange smell came from camera batteries area, and I could feel warm there too. Immediately I took out all the batteries from camera.

When checking the posts here the other day, I tried one solution and got the lens back to close: first took out the memory card from camera, then put the new batteries in; push the on/off button with no memory card. I found the lens retracted a little before camera shut off by itself. I pushed on/off button three times to get the lens fully close. However, the burnt smell came out again. I immediately took out the batteries.
Did I get a short circuit inside? Is there any ways to fix it?

I am having the same problem with my camera. I have to take the batteries out to get it to shut down. I also cannot view my photos on the camera, when I try to turn it to view, it goes to shoot mode.

Don't try and manually push in the lens at first...the buzzing is a warning letting you know that something is wrong with the camera. By accidently removing the batteries during shut down you interupted the shut down sequence. Try and turn on the camera and immediately press the play button on the back. This should reset the camera. If not and if you are under warranty it needs to be serviced. If you are not under warranty then you can try and push the lens down. Don't use a lot of force but try and gently do it.

Try turning it on while manually pulling the lens assembly ever so lightly. Also try the same thing pushing it in, if that doesn't work.
Hope that works. Ed