camera will not operate, displays message to turn off and then turn on again

When camera is turned on the lense extends, retracts, extends again, retracts again and the the following message is displayed: "Please turn your camera off and then on again", as if the camera needs to reboot. Also while the lense extends and retracts, the images seen through the display are very blurry, as if the camera can not focus.

hello- there are 4 differant manuvers you can try-if all fails-- after that call Panasonic , and tell them what your experience is and they will assuredly solve the problem .. You may have to return the TZ-3 to them- i f you are under warrenty .will only cost you shipping, BUT, out of warrenty( one year from time o f purchase)may be pricey===Here are the things you can do- A. ChANGE BATTERY B. CHANGE RECORDING X/D CARD C. CLEAR ALL MENUS AND THEN USE ONLY DEFAULT FACTORY SET UP. AND D. WITH CAMERA IN REVIEW MODE , REMOVE ALL STORED IMAGES-- THIS IS ABOUT THE LENGTH of steps you can take on your own , i f no results, panasonic has to take over the proceedure to get TZ 3 operational, again - It is a nice little package, of a Digital P and S and pretty reliable, in my subjective experience - Please let me know what works to get the little fellow back on track--hal5141

I would hope it was a power problem, in which case a new battery might help. Also, this sounds minor, but try taking the batteries out and letting the camera just sit overnight. Check the bottom of the cam for a reset button - I can't remember if Panasonics tend to have those or not, but if they do, it might help you. Is the lens making a grinding noise when it moves? Has the camera been dropped or damaged recently?