Thank you so much. I don't want to spend too much money on it getting it repaired and I am worried shops will charge me for the new internal lens when it could be just the outside lens cover
No, there's no protective film. I even tried the cellotape trick that I saw on YouTube with no luck. I can't understand how I get a clear picture with the Live Mode, but not with Photo mode.
It was broken and I sent it off for repair. And it came back like this. Not sure what they have done. But I can see scratches on the outer surface if I look in certain light
Photos are here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/floweringhobby/49745709893/in/dateposted-friend/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/floweringhobby/49745710073/in/dateposted-friend/