Error 18 I am getting the "E50" error code. What can I do?

I have had a lot of success repairing Canon cameras and offer my insight into the dreaded E18 error. It's supposed to be a lens error, but not necessarily. I have an A520 that powers on, beeps several times and gives me an E18 on the display and nothing else. Tried replacing lens and no change. Replaced mother board and voila the problem is gone and camera functions normally. I still have to figure out what is wrong with the MB but it may be the drivers for the lens, or it could be corrupted firmware. If I find a solution I will inform everyone.

This is a common problem not with just canon but any auto focus camera that uses gears and a motor to zoom or focus. There are 2 basic problems for this error. E18 is the error that tells the user that the lenses are stuck and they can be cause from an impact or debris in the teeth of the gears. Its unavoidable, canon has tried to prevent this using gaskets around the lenses but over time the gaskets just wear and then debris can slip past the gaskets. The impact is a user problem. The gears are plastic and plastic can take only so much force before it breaks. The only way to prevent it is to buy a camera that does not have an optical zoom so you dont have any moving parts. You then lose some features. Try to avoid dusty sandy enviroments, keep the camera stored lens down and dont drop it. The lens is glass, glass is fragile it can break.

The "E18" error code indicates an error that involves the lens unit or lens cover. This error may appear where the lens is prevented from properly extending or retracting such as, for example, when pressure is applied to the lens or the area surrounding the lens while handling the camera. The error may also be displayed if the lens unit/camera has been subjected to an external shock, or if a foreign substance (i.e. liquid, sand, dirt) enters the camera. Solution Check the following when you operate the camera to avoid applying pressure to the lens and surrounding area: - Hold the camera so that your fingers do not touch the lens unit when you are shooting. - Make sure the camera is off before you put it back in the case. Exercise caution to ensure that the camera does not accidentally power on while the camera is stored inside the case.