Why cant I take pictures, but can view photos?

lilybbecks, it is probably the lens extension that gives your camera the trouble. That problem is actually quite common for all cameras. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism,or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. It is also possible that the camera has been turned on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. One of the solutions is to try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. CAUTION, 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. To clean the lens you can blow compressed air (you can also try the air-in-a-can available at department stores)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. Of course there are also people that have tried blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum. Anyhow, the service manual with adjustment manuals is made available to you on my fileserver. Good Luck to you and let us know how it is going...

It is most likely the lens drive motor, or a drive gear that connects the motor to the lens could be stripped or misaligned. I had this problem a while back with a cannon power-shot. Id recommend getting it serviced, those gears are extremely tiny. But if you want to take a look inside, the repair could be just wiggling a gear back into alignment.

as mention by oldturkey,i have solved my sony dsc-w55 camera,which had been droped,and could not

wey i cant take Pictures