Sony camera repair.....

[Dominic H]

Afternoon all, I have a problem with my Sony DSC-T1 digital camera. When you turn it on and view the screen, all you see are non descript, merged colours a bit like a thermal image. I took it in this morning to Jessops and was told that the sensor had gone, and that if they returned it to Sony a bill for c£140 should be expected. Does anyone have any experience of obtaining a more cost effective repair? Is it knackered? It seems a shame to bin an otherwise very good camera.
Im in the Bromley area, if anyone knows a decent repair shop or solution.....

Thanks in advance.

Dominic