NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Cameras promised by Sony to be faster, smaller and lighter than traditional digital cameras are actually useless, a new lawsuit says.
A shutter problem dooms the company’s a7iii camera, touted as “the vanguard” of the mirrorless camera market, the suit says. New York lawyer Spencer Sheehan filed the case March 26 in New York federal court.
“The absence of a mirror increases the camera’s speed and allows it to be smaller and lighter than a traditional digital camera,” the suit says. “The a7iii is smaller, lighter, and more durable than its (digital single-lens reflex) counterpart, which contributes to its higher cost – approximately $2,000.
“Unfortunately for many purchasers of the a7iii, mechanical problems with the shutter have rendered the cameras unusable provided they do not pay over $500 for repair to an authorized service center.”
Shutters normally last 200,000 actuations, the suit says, but the a7iiis are dying as soon as 10,000. Shutter failure occurs randomly, often outside the warranty period, it says.
“Prior to shutter failure, users report hearing an atypical shutter sound, followed by the screen turning black and displaying the following message: ‘Camera Error. Turn off then on.’
“However, following these instructions often will not solve the problem.”