Pentax Optio A10 Digital Camera - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Might as well replace the camera, the cost to repair is well over $100-200

This happen after a hard hit on the floor

Turn camera off, take batteries off and let it stay for at least an hour. Put everything back and try again. If it doesn't help, you have to go to the store where you bought it and let them fix it.

What type and size memory card? The A10 works with SD cards, 2GB or smaller. It will not work with higher-capacity SDHC cards.

Try the procedures in this tip.

The A10 uses SD cards. Your 4GB card is actually an SDHC card. While SDHC cards will fit into the slot, they are electronically incompatible and will not work with the A10. You need to use SD cards, 2GB and smaller.

The date and time (and a lot more) are stored with every picture in its EXIF metadata. Any photo viewing/editing program should be able to display this data. To print this data, please consult the documentation for whatever program you're using to print your pictures. Depending on the program and printer you may print the date on the image, in the margins, or on the back.

The date and time (and a lot more) are stored with every picture in its EXIF metadata. Any photo viewing/editing program should be able to display this data. To print this data, please consult the documentation for whatever program you're using to print your pictures. Depending on the program and printer you may print the date on the image, in the margins, or on the back.

Hi,Try removing the battery and fixing it again.Press power on and off then on again.Repeat this several times until the lens retracts.Hope this helps.Thanks!

Hello.

Can you view the pictures you have previously taken? What can you see in the LCD screen when you turn on the camera? And what do you see when you try to take a picture?

If the camera is a new one then do not attempt to open but take the warranty cover.

If is possible that the lens error is due to failure of the lens control system. You can remove battery and card replace battery and while switching on tap the lens hood on your hands so as to disengage any dirt or mechanism being struck.
Use some air to blow between the lens to dislodge any sand particles struck inside. Unless you are familiar with handling of small devices must the camera be opened. If so check the voltage on the motor drive, check the auto focus and Zoom drives, it must be free with manual movement. If jammed the motor can be removed and realased. If none of these works then you can think of taking consensus with the service centre.
Get estimate before you decide. It will be good to have it checked at the authorised service as you do not have to run around for spares.

Hi,

Based on the information you've provided, it seems that the issue may be with the LCD screen of the Camera or with the CCD Image sensor. If the issue is with the image sensor, then you may be able to view the icons on the screen of the Camera. If the icons are not visible, the issue may be with the LCD screen. As the images are capturing normally in the Camera, it seems that the image sensor may also be fine. If the previous images are working fine, then you can get the Camera serviced to resolve the issue. Try power resetting the Camera before sending it for service. To power reset the Camera, turn off the camera.

Remove the battery pack.

Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.

Allow the camera to remain without power for 60 seconds.

Reinsert the battery pack.

Turn on the camera.

Thanks for contacting FixYa.

This might mean it isnt set up for the camera yet. Go to the menu and then format the memory card. The menu should have format in the memory or data section.

http://www.buy.com/prod/pentax-optio-a10-digital-camera-battery-710mah/q/sellerid/19238591/loc/111/216660502.html
I would purchase the battery online. You can find it at that link or try ebay. A lot of sellers ship internationally.
Thanks,
Lee

Take the memory card out of your camera and look at it. SD cards have a slide switch along one edge. The position farthest from the contacts locks the card, protecting it from writes. The position nearest the contacts unlocks the card. If the switch is already in the proper position, slide it fully the other way and then back again.

If that doesn't work, try another card.

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.

The camera may be in picture taking mode without display (you have to use the viewfinder). This is a feature that is used for preserving battery life. try menu button and see if you can find display settings

It could be that the screen has either disconnected internally or been damaged to the point that it is not showing anything anymore. The easiest way to check is to take a few random photos and attempt to download to see if the camera is taking pictures and the is just not working.
If it is taking pictures and the screen is dead you can take it in to a local repair facility for an estimate (in all likelihood it will be cheaper to replace the camera than repair it since most repairs are $75-$100 an hour with a 1 hour min).
If it doesn't download any images, then it may be trying to take photos but it is not actually taking any. This would likely indicate a larger malady. If this is the case refer to my earlier statement about repairs.

There should be an internal transfer from memory to SD card on most camera but not all look under the main menu for the memory card where it tells you to format card and create folders it there should be a COPY option.

Do you mean that you can't see what's on the screen in bright sunlight? This is common on 90% of the point and shoot cameras. Only 10% have brightness controls for the lcd.