DSC-H2 Shutter Button Problem

[STS707]

My Sony DSC-H1 was sitting on the desk all alone for about an hour when all of a sudden I heard a slight noise and saw parts flying. It was the shutter button and spring! No on had touched the camera. Needless to say it will cost more to repair than the camera is worth.

[andrei_71]

I think Sony has big problems with DSC H1,2&5 series shutter buttons, mostly due to a conceptual error. These buttons are made of a very cheap plastic material, unacceptable for a Sony "Made in Japan camera". There are a lot of people around here complaining on the non-operating focus-lock or broken shutter buttons. I also experienced both of them and twice by now!
I bought my H2 in june 2006 and after about 2 months the focus lock stopped working. After one more week I found the camera on my desk without the shutter button! Apparently no one touched it. I blamed it on my kids... After repair works in service focus-lock worked for no more than 30-50 photos and after that stopped. A month ago the problem with the broken button came again and the camera is back in service.
I've experienced the same problem with the non-working focus locking when pressed halfway with a DSC H5 (a friend has one) so it's clear that they have a technical problem! I was happy (of course not for all guys here problems) to hear that someone else has the same problem as I thought I have a problem as a user. Meanwhile, I heard about another H2 with the same problem within my friends group!
I really think about asking Sony to give me back the money or give me a new camera, assuming that they've solved the problem meanwhile.
One more thing for Sushigaijin: These cameras really have problems. There are too many guys here that experienced them. Try to not blame it on the users anymore and start thinking that these cameras are too cheap to be as good as you claim!
You can "meet" other "happy" guys here (fortunately here I found the link to this forum!): http://www.photographyblog.com/index...d_sony_dsc_h2/

[Sushigaijin]

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One more thing for Sushigaijin: These cameras really have problems. There are too many guys here that experienced them. Try to not blame it on the users anymore and start thinking that these cameras are too cheap to be as good as you claim!
You can "meet" other "happy" guys here (fortunately here I found the link to this forum!): http://www.photographyblog.com/index...d_sony_dsc_h2/

No doubt I've read probably a hundred complaints about the H series shutter, but how many thousands of cameras were sold? How many came back? I'm not trying to be sony's apologist, but I have a feeling that there are far more cameras out there without problems than with problems. That's all I'm trying to say. The internet makes small populations seem large, and concentrates unhappy customers. The happy ones have no reason to post a thread about their shutter buttons. A weak spot, for sure - but no reason to avoid the cameras altogether.

[Ekrimmer]

No doubt I've read probably a hundred complaints about the H series shutter, but how many thousands of cameras were sold? How many came back? I'm not trying to be sony's apologist, but I have a feeling that there are far more cameras out there without problems than with problems. That's all I'm trying to say. The internet makes small populations seem large, and concentrates unhappy customers. The happy ones have no reason to post a thread about their shutter buttons. A weak spot, for sure - but no reason to avoid the cameras altogether.

Admittedly the hundreds of problems vs total sales is likely a small percentage. However, one can say the same thing when a car model that might pop a cable is recalled (yes I understand that it is a safety concern). Doesn't make those affected any happier. This is obviously a design flaw. If there are so few problems vs sales total yet the EXACT SAME problem you would think a reputable company would take care of customers that it hopes to keep.

I really love this camera but I'm totally disgusted that mine broke and Sony will not fix it w/o charging my credit card nearly half the original cost.

[Mary D'Amico]

Has anyone successfully reached Sony Corp and had camera replaced? What did you have to do and who did you contact? My camera popped a shutter button in May "08 and I sent it to a "certified" repair shop. When it came back the autofocus was not working. I sent it a 2nd time and it was fixed, but now the flash does not work at all. I am totally disgusted with this Sony product. I spoke with a Sony customer-"no-service" person and it was futile, was refused to talk with a supervisor or manager. I bought the camera before THanksgiving 2006 and used it for several long trips. It is out of "warranty" but at this price I believe it should last longer that 19 months. I've already spent $200 in repairs and don't know if I should go ahead and repair the flash--I don't have an estimate on that yet.
Please help!

[trocadero]

My Sony DSC-H1 was sitting on the desk all alone for about an hour when all of a sudden I heard a slight noise and saw parts flying. It was the shutter button and spring! No on had touched the camera. Needless to say it will cost more to repair than the camera is worth.

I have a Sony DSC-H1 (made in Japan) just like yours and I find it a good camera. The shutter button looks fine (a little polished but fine) and I don’t see how it can fly out without some critical damage. I see a cartoon scene in your tales. lol