Camera attempts to auto focus,but doesn't. Will zoom in and out as to be focusing, stays out of focus and will not shoot

Hi,

Your Nikon Coolpix 3200 Digital Camera is equipped with a AF assist illuminator which makes focus easier when shooting in darker situations.

In spite of that, on occasion, it is quite possible that the camera will fail to achieve sharp auto-focus.

Point and Shoot cameras use a contrast-based focusing system: this works only when the contrast in the composition is high.

When you press the shutter halfway down the camera attempts to focus, but if it shows red brackets it implies that the focus has not been achieved.
Please take care to note this indication, and if you do not see the Green "Focus Lock" indicator, please attempt to recompose the shot.

Release the shutter, press halfway through again and wait for a focus lock.

The sensor on a P&S camera is very small (about 8-9x smaller in surface area compared to DSLRs)
In low light conditions achieving focus can be a challenge for P&S cameras.
These are technical limitations which are not specific to your camera but common to all cameras in the same segment across various camera manufacturers.

does not do focus/zoom properly,is due to defective mechanism of the lens unit,so get it serviced.

Description: Sleek and stylish, the exciting new Nikon One-Touch Zoom 90QD offers real zoom power in a lightweight, easy-to-use design. The One-Touch Zoom 90QD has a sharp, clear, 2.5x zoom lens with a 38-90mm range and a macro mode for shots as close as 11 inches. The One-Touch Zoom 90QD features a built-in automatic flash with five versatile modes (auto flash, anytime flash, flash cancel, slow sync and red-eye reduction). The active infrared autofocus, infinity focus (for landscapes and faraway subjects), real-image zoom viewfinder and fully automatic exposure control all help to ensure clear and balanced photos.

Depth 2.1 in. Film Type 35mm Width 4.6 in. Height 2.5 in. UPC 018208018789 Battery Type 1 x 3V Lithium Battery (CR-2) Weight 7.84 oz. Self Timer Yes Camera Type Point and Shoot Focus Type Autofocus Minimum Focus Distance 1 ft. ISO Range - Automatic Setting ISO 100 - 800 Red Eye Reduction With Red Eye Reduction Zoom Size 2.4 Auto Exposure Yes Min Aperture f10.5 Waterproof No Max Aperture f4.8 Zoom Lens With Zoom Lens Zoom Range 38 mm - 90 mm

User Manual can not be found up to now. Very soon will be available.

Seems as if you're snapping the shutter before the lens has focused. Have you tried manual focus or single-server auto focus?

You want to charge people for a membership to get answers from your site
but you want me to "tell you how I did it" for free. Hmmmmmm?

Change from auto focus to manual focus or focus using only one focal square and change the setting to One Shot. You may need to shoot in Manual (M) mode though. Any of the "auto" modes will not let you.

I suppose you really can't do much when camera is set to Auto Focus? All you do is aim and shoot? Everything is set up for you. Not so sure about limitations on manual focus. Don't you have different setting when shooting indoors? Good luck.

There are four sequential modes: Sequential shooting, High-speed Sequential shooting, AF Sequential shooting and Auto Bracketing. Sequential shooting modes can be selected from the CAMERA menu: Sequential shooting: A maximum of 11 frames can be shot sequentially at approximately 1.7 fps in HQ mode. Focus, Brightness (exposure) and White Balance are locked at the first frame. High-speed Sequential shooting: A maximum of 4 frames can be shot sequentially at approximately 3.3 fps. Focus, Brightness (exposure) and White Balance are locked at the first frame. AF Sequential shooting: Focus is individually locked for each frame. The AF Sequential shooting speed is slower than for normal sequential shooting. Auto Bracketing: When Auto bracketing is set, exposure is changed automatically for each frame when you start shooting. The exposure differential can be selected in the menus. Focus and white balance are locked at the first frame.

There are four modes: Sequential shooting, High-speed Sequential shooting, AF Sequential shooting and Auto Bracketing. Sequential shooting modes can be selected from the DRIVE mode menu: Sequential shooting: A maximum of 11 frames can be shot sequentially at approximately 1.7 fps in HQ mode. Focus, Brightness (exposure) and White Balance are locked at the first frame. High-speed Sequential shooting: A maximum of 4 frames can be shot sequentially at approximately 3.3 fps. Focus, Brightness (exposure) and White Balance are locked at the first frame. AF Sequential shooting: Focus is individually locked for each frame. The AF Sequential shooting speed is slower than for normal sequential shooting. Auto Bracketing: When Auto bracketing is set, exposure is changed automatically for each frame when you start shooting. The exposure differential can be selected in the menus. Focus and white balance are locked at the first frame.

There are four modes: Sequential shooting, High-speed Sequential shooting, AF Sequential shooting and Auto Bracketing. Sequential shooting modes can be selected from the DRIVE mode menu: - Sequential shooting: A maximum of 11 frames can be shot sequentially at approximately 1.7 fps in HQ mode. Focus, Brightness (exposure) and White Balance are locked at the first frame. - High-speed Sequential shooting: A maximum of 4 frames can be shot sequentially at approximately 3.3 fps. Focus, Brightness (exposure) and White Balance are locked at the first frame. - AF Sequential shooting: Focus is individually locked for each frame. The AF Sequential shooting speed is slower than for normal sequential shooting. - Auto Bracketing: When Auto bracketing is set, exposure is changed automatically for each frame when you start shooting. The exposure differential can be selected in the menus. Focus and white balance are locked at the first frame.