RX100 Issues

[Willy Nilly]

I have a MK1 Sony RX100. from new it would occasionally say the data card was full and refuse to use it until I took the card out and put it back in. Now it won't switch on properly, the lens goes out and part the way back in and there is a black screen with "Turn on and off" written on it, which do and the lens goes in and back out and it switches off with the lens out.

I phoned Sony and the dude on there just read from the trouble shooting part of the web site with a advise being go into the menu do a reset, which I can't do because the buttons don't respond.

Before I throw the piece of junk (the Canon Ixus was much better) in the bin, what do the panel think I should do? I bough the camera on August bank holiday 2014. Thanks.

[MikeyC]

if you bought this new, then take a look at this page for info on Sale of Goods Act - specifically points 6 onwards
Scan internet for other users with similar issues to strengthen your case
this assumes the camera has been treated well

Oh yeah, my parents had a Canon Ixus and just went t*ts-up for no apparant reason

[rich888]

Have you tried taking out the SD card and the battery to see if that helps reset things?

If that doesn't work then perhaps update the firmware, however I must say that my RX100 started playing up a few months ago and I had a feeling that the firmware was corrupted, I tried reinstalling the firmware to the latest version but it refused to update, I ended up taking it back to John Lewis who sent it off for repair. Luckily I had taken out their 3 year extended warranty so I don't have to pay anything.

[Willy Nilly]

I have had a look online and there are others that have done the same. I have taken the battery and sd card out, put them back, left them out given it a full charge, done it again and tried it all with the charger plugged in.

Should I contact Sony again or currys. It will be out of its standard warranty, but I'd hope it would last longer than 17 months.

[rich888]

Willy Nilly said:

I have had a look online and there are others that have done the same. I have taken the battery and sd card out, put them back, left them out given it a full charge, done it again and tried it all with the charger plugged in.

Should I contact Sony again or currys. It will be out of its standard warranty, but I'd hope it would last longer than 17 months.

Actually, my RX100 has done that a few times in the past when the battery was flat, have you tried changing the battery for a different one because it might be the battery that is faulty rather than the camera.

[rst99]

I had a similar problem (without the SD card issues) with my RX100 Mk1. I put it into A J Johnstone for repair. They replaced the full lens assembly which cost £170.

[Willy Nilly]

I checked the battery with my multimeter and it shows 4.15 Volts. I'm not going to spend £170 repairing a 19 month old camera, it should be still working.

[MikeyC]

that's the point, a camera should last for at least 3 years with normal wear'n'tear usage

if you really want to move on this, then best to do things now than sit on it for a few months
had a quick look and found this
get the details set in stone by writing to Sony UK with Date of Purchase/serial no's etc
Your best line of attack is Sale of Goods Act says that 'Goods must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose'

Really no point in coughing up £150+ for a camera which can be bought now for under £250

[Willy Nilly]

I have contacted Sony via their website stating that I have tried just about every conceivable different permutation of charging the battery, removing the battery, trying to do a reset (the buttons don't work) etc. I have given them the serial number, but no longer have the receipt because I sent it to them to get my 50 quid cash back when I bought it, but never got the cash back.... I have also put a message on their forum thing and the only response was send it for repair.

Been to Currys today who gave me a copy of proof of purchase and not much more help.

Am I likely to have to pay for the repair? I suppose it is best to wait to see what Sony have to say first.

[rich888]

Have you tried connecting the camera to your PC and installing the latest firmware because it might simply be that the firmware is corrupt - Sony don't make this install easy and my RX100 refused to update which resulted in me returning it to John Lewis under their 3 year extended warranty scheme who sent it away for the update to be carried out. Why Sony don't allow the firmware updates to be made by a simple firmware download and copy to SD card is beyond me. Too damn simple comes to mind!

Might be an idea to contact DK AVS who are based in Horley who are one of the UK's leading authorised service repair centres for many leading brands of digital still cameras, camcorders,TVs, video projectors and DVD/home cinemas for over 20 years.

Address: 17 Gatwick Metro Centre, Balcombe Road, Horley, Surrey, RH6 9GA.

Phone number: 01293 406854.

If it's any consolation I think you are very lucky that Currys provided you with a copy of proof of purchase because when I returned my Canon S100 a few years ago due to a well known design flaw with the lens mechanism I too had also misplaced my receipt, and Canon wouldn't touch it and JW couldn't supply me with a copy of the receipt even though I dug out my credit card statement along with the purchase ID info. After much complaining JW finally honoured the purchase because it was still within the warranty period, but Canon wouldn't fix the camera without the receipt, this resulted in JW refunding the purchase and me buying the RX100 which I've been very pleased with so far.

So top marks to John Lewis for their excellent customer service

[Willy Nilly]

I have plugged it into my laptop and gone on to the Sony website and it said the software is up to date, unles you know of another way to check which I can try.

[Bring on the clowns]

Just in case Sony won't play ball and if this helps, I had 2 RXs fail with the same issue when almost brand new - second had exactly the same fault whereby the aperture wouldn't open correctly in cold conditions (or thereafter!) and have had other problems with them and with Canon. Each time a string of emails got a tough luck response and a woman at the end of their supposedly UK help line was so rude and insulting (in half English, a Japanese speaker at Canon UK) it was hilarious.

So, for each company, a further email noting the lack of support and nature of the complaint was sent, adding very deliberatley that this was cc'd to the CEO and Managing Director. Bingo, much creepiness and back sliding followed complete with full refunds!

Edited by Bring on the clowns on Tuesday 29th March 16:09

[rich888]

Bring on the clowns said:

Just in case Sony won't play ball and if this helps, I had 2 RXs fail with the same issue when almost brand new - second had exactly the same fault whereby the aperture wouldn't open correctly in cold conditions (or thereafter!) and have had other problems with them and with Canon. Each time a string of emails got a tough luck response and a woman at the end of their supposedly UK help line was so rude and insulting (in half english) it was hilarious.

So, for each company, a further email noting the lack of support and nature of the complaint was sent, adding very deliberatley that this was cc'd to the CEO and Managing Director. Bingo, much creepiness and back sliding followed compete with full refunds!

That's a very good idea, and for anyone wanting to know the relevant email address, take a look at: http://www.ceoemail.com

[Willy Nilly]

rich888 said:

Bring on the clowns said:

Just in case Sony won't play ball and if this helps, I had 2 RXs fail with the same issue when almost brand new - second had exactly the same fault whereby the aperture wouldn't open correctly in cold conditions (or thereafter!) and have had other problems with them and with Canon. Each time a string of emails got a tough luck response and a woman at the end of their supposedly UK help line was so rude and insulting (in half english) it was hilarious.

So, for each company, a further email noting the lack of support and nature of the complaint was sent, adding very deliberatley that this was cc'd to the CEO and Managing Director. Bingo, much creepiness and back sliding followed compete with full refunds!

That's a very good idea, and for anyone wanting to know the relevant email address, take a look at: http://www.ceoemail.com

Thank you. No news yet from Sony.

[Willy Nilly]

Still nothing from Sony.

Any suggestions for a replacement? Right now I am thinking this http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorder... looks quite good. Don't want to spend as much as the RX100 was and don't want another Sony.

[rich888]

Willy Nilly said:

Still nothing from Sony.

Any suggestions for a replacement? Right now I am thinking this http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorder... looks quite good. Don't want to spend as much as the RX100 was and don't want another Sony.

Panasonic do indeed manufacture some very decent cameras, the TZ70 (TZ80 is due out soon) and TZ100 are rated very highly in the comparison reviews, which model you choose depends upon what you are looking for.

If you're considering a bridge camera which is far bigger than the compact RX100 which you can put in your pocket, why not invest in a proper DSLR so that you can change the lenses to suit the occasion. If you want to avoid Sony or Canon then take a look at Nikon who do manufacture some very good quality DSLR cameras and lenses. I say this being a very satisfied Canon 700D owner, though I did buy it from www.digitalrev.com based in Hong Kong.

[Willy Nilly]

rich888 said:

Willy Nilly said:

Still nothing from Sony.

Any suggestions for a replacement? Right now I am thinking this http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorder... looks quite good. Don't want to spend as much as the RX100 was and don't want another Sony.

Panasonic do indeed manufacture some very decent cameras, the TZ70 (TZ80 is due out soon) and TZ100 are rated very highly in the comparison reviews, which model you choose depends upon what you are looking for.

If you're considering a bridge camera which is far bigger than the compact RX100 which you can put in your pocket, why not invest in a proper DSLR so that you can change the lenses to suit the occasion. If you want to avoid Sony or Canon then take a look at Nikon who do manufacture some very good quality DSLR cameras and lenses. I say this being a very satisfied Canon 700D owner, though I did buy it from www.digitalrev.com based in Hong Kong.

The camera needs to fit in my pocket and be a step up from my trusty Ixus. The reason I got the RX100 was the ixus was getting worn out and I wanted a step up. The Sony seemed like a good deal because it was small enough to go in my pocket, yet had enough features and ability for me to use to take some better pictures with the limited skill I have.

I liked my Canon and the Sony was good until it stopped working.

What's the panels verdict on SLR Hut?

I am very grateful for the advice being offered.

[Willy Nilly]

Sony have been contacted a second time via their website and still haven't got back to me. So today I messaged them on a leading social media site and they did actually respond, saying my case as been escalated to "support". We'll see.

[Bring on the clowns]

Sadly, always seems to be the same - the need to shout to be heard and dealt with.

[Willy Nilly]

Stupid camera has gone to Hitchin to be fixed by someone that called me back very quickly. Sony are supposed to be paying half of it.