Hi,

The lens error indicates that the movement is inhibited possibly by sand or grit. It also may be misaligned or an internal component has failed. Here are a couple of links to some other things to try. With newer cameras I am usually hesitant to suggest these options since they include some more extreme procedures that may cause further damage if not done correctly, but since yours is probably no longer under warranty, they may save you an expensive repair bill. An older Canon camera is used to demonstrate these procedures but, the lens structure of these compact cameras is the same so the examples do apply to this unit. These procedures are effective about 60% of the time. Click on or copy and paste the links into your browser.

FIX 1

FIX 2

If the "do it yourself" approach doesn't work out for you and you need conventional repair you can get an online estimate at the link and please see the note below

http://www.unitedcamera.com/canon-powershot-sd780-is/#ShowSelections

This site, JustAnswer, is not affiliated with any manufacturer, brand or product; neither do we perform repairs, sell parts, components nor devices. Members of this online community provide information, repair tips, technical assistance as a form of paid Q & A service.

Note: Considering the age and present value of this camera, paying the cost of having it repaired , approximately $100 may not be worth it . The standard "rule of thumb" is if the repair cost is greater than 50% of the value of the camera, it is not worth it. A good used or refurbished Canon Powershot SD780 is can be purchased for around $75 - $125 and I've seen a brand new one for as low as $180

Please keep in mind that my diagnosis & solutions provided are directly dependent on the accuracy of your description of the problem. As with any "do it yourself" fixes, success is a "team effort", since I can't see or touch the camera, and relies on the customer's manual dexterity and ability to follow the instructions well.


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