SX50 HS wont take pictures

[Cattermm]

Hi all, ive had an SX50 for about 2 years now and its been fantastic.

However about a month ago it stopped taking pictures but it was very intermittent. Now its stopped altogether. I can shoot video. But on every other setting it wont take a still picture or a burst.  I think its the autofocus. I dont get a 'bleep' and it wont focus. So no photo 😞

Ive done a reset to all default functions, and ive done a hardware reset by switching it off and on quickly.

Any ideas ?   Or does it need to be fixed by Canon which might not be cost effective. Help appreicated.

Mike 

[BurnUnit]

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@Cattermm wrote:
...and ive done a hardware reset by switching it off and on quickly.
 

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Have you tried a reset by removing any and all batteries (does it have a seperate clock and calendar memory battery?), remove memory card and leave it set for at least a couple hours? Overnight might be even better. Put in a fresh battery and maybe a different SD card and see if it boots up and acts any differently.

[Cattermm]

ok thanks, I removed the memory card when i did a hardware reset. Although i havent tried removing the battery. Im not aware of a second battery, but will investigate. thanks, Mike 

[John_]

The other battery is just for the date and time. Have you tried a new battery? I have 2 SX50's

[Cattermm]

ok, not tried another battery. I dont have one !  Why would this make a difference though ?  The exisiting one when charged lasts for ages so its not old and struggling....Mike  

[John_]

Trying a new battery is your cheapest option and even though your battery seems to be Ok it could be shorting out internally and intermittently during use. Sending it in for repair will be costly and buying either a refurbished or working used one will probably be cheaper. There is one thing I dont know if you tried and that is removing the battery and holding the on switch on for at least 30 seconds.

[BurnUnit]

I'm just sort of grabbing at straws with my suggestions... Nearly anything is worth a try. Turning the camera off and quickly back on sounds like something you might try if the lens didn't extend or retract properly. You haven't put the camera into some sort of manual focus mode, have you? If the battery is holding a good charge it's probably OK. Is it the original Canon battery that came with the camera?