Simple question for A700 owners

[roysmith]

Hi, I've just got my A700 but there's something strange... I don't know if it's a problem with my camera or just a design glitch. When I press the body with my thumb exactly below the rubber pad, just over and to the right of the steadyshot switch and right next to the memory card door, it bends a little and makes some kind of plastic noise, not too loud nor annoying but it seems weird since the rest of the camera feels solid as a brick and won't bend when pressing. Does this happen to any of you too, or I should return my camera for a replacement?

Thank you!

[KevinBarrett]

Welcome to the forum, Roy.

I've had an a700 for over a year and this is present on mine as well. Upon closer investigation it seems as though this piece is plastic and I can even see a slight amount of flexing in the memory compartment with the door open. I've never had a problem with it, though, and if there is any play at all it appears to be within the tolerances of the weather sealing around the card slots. I have never experienced any errors with my camera or memory cards.

[roysmith]

Thanks, Kevin. It's good to know it's just part of the "personality" of the camera and not something broken on mine
And this sure looks like a nice forum, will keep reading it now that I'm part of the club

[KevinBarrett]

You're welcome! Stick around and don't be afraid to ask questions... there's enough experience in this forum that one of us will surely have an answer. There aren't a lot of communities like this one on the internet, and we look forward to your contributions as well as to helping you in any way we can.

[Javelin]

mine does that too and I missed it when I first held the body. In the repair manual I see that there is nothing behind there except a cavity and a flex board. . (Tyco makes the MS card socket.. heh.. A purchased part for memory stick in a Sony camera, well it's supposed to be smaller and better than any other out there...)

I was certain I was going to have to preform CPR on a camera salesman once when I was at his display and I picked up the bodies on display and twisted them like I was wringing out a rag .. I do the same thing with portable phones... I hate that plastic creek you hear in cheap ones. but I never felt or heard anything in the A700, A200 or A100 bodies when I did this..

[Dr. Harout]

One more assurance that it is completely normal.
And welcome to the forum Roy.

[roysmith]

Thanks guys, it's a pitty this can't be fixed with a firmware update but I guess I'll get use to it eventually...
Anyway, so far this is the only negative thing I found, so I'm very happy with the camera
Well to be honest the LCD screen feels a bit flimsy, maybe I should get a hard cover... normally I like to use a protective film, but in this case a hard cover maybe a better option... any thoughts?

Thanks again for the help!

[sury]

I have a similar experience and I feared some glued on piece is loose. I never heard any sound though. It is just there and gives in a bit when fingers are flexed.
Now you have 3 data points.

with best regards,
sury

[Javelin]

I use Sony's hard cover. it's taken a beating but the screen still looks liket he day I got it. it can catch on something and fall off though. i've only had to pick it up off the ground twice but I think it should have stayed put.

[Dr. Harout]

I use the hard cover too and recommended it (very highly).

[bonneville]

I use the hard cover too and recommended it (very highly).

I agree, I'd consider the Sony hard cover as essential, particularly with some of the horror stories I've seen about accidental damage to the LCD screen.

Can't say that I've ever noticed any "flexing" of the body though. Maybe that's more to do with the fact that I give it more of a cuddle than a strangle

[fastson]

I have flexing where the top of your (hopefully) four fingers go on the grip.. The grip plastic itself flexes a little, but no notice. No such thing on the A100, but then again the design is very different (the plastic of the grip extends more to the lens, where on the A700 it stops by the fold).