I have the DSC-M1 and love it! The main swivel is getting loose, and suggestions on fixing this? Thanks!

The hinge between the two swiveling parts is getting loose. Can I attempt to fix this myself, or does a camera repair place need to do it?

Jim,

Unfortunately, there aren't usually any easy fixes for mechanical issues with digital cameras. They're complex mechanisms, and so any real repair is usually going to involve interaction with Sony's repair centers. Trying to fix a mechanical problem yourself is probably going to void the warranty, though since your camera is two years old I imagine it's not under warranty anymore anyway. My best recommendation is to ride it out and enjoy it as long as it lasts. And when it finally bites it, get a nice new model. Sorry, but that's the best I've got.

Good luck!

Thanks Ben! I may look into finding a service center and see what it might cost to adjust the camera. It still works fine, of course. There is a newer model out called the M2. It's silver and the controls are more concise, but the internals are the same. If this one completely bites the dust, I may get one of those. The combination of a large, protected screen, ability to take 5 MP pictures or movies is nice, I'm sold!

Well, I got brave. I removed the small screws around the main body, and took off the cover. It looks like Roby Robot inside; fine wires going in all directions and small modules and circuitboards. Right at the edge of the swivel is a screw. I tightened it, problem solved!

Jim,

That's great news. Now I know what to tell anyone else who might ask. :) Congrats.

THANKS! I love the camera and have the same problem. I'll give a try!
Paul

I just fixed mine, it turns out to be pretty easy!

1) Remove 5 case screws: two on either side of the strap, two on either side of the "CAUTION" sticker, and one near the serial number.

2) There's one last screw on the bottom near the mounting/tripod hole. To remove it I had to pry the casing SLIGHTLY away first.

3) Remove the casing.

4) The shutter, flash, and large capacitor are free-floating and can be CAREFULLY pulled back, so you can get to where the swivel mechanism is. You'll see a bundle of wires going through a hole.

5) Surround the hole are 3 screws which are loose. Tighten them up.

6) Put it back together -- done!

This is good info. My wife's is getting so loose she is scared to use it, so I am going to try this.

Update - it was an easy fix, but on mine I could only find two screws to tighten up, not three

I am having the same problem, and I have wondered how to fix it as well. Thanks for the heads up, and I will give it a try. Thanks A MILLION!!

***OK SO I FIXED IT***

Let me tell you the way I did it. In one of the first posts, it says that there is only one screw to be tightened. Actually, there are two screws, one is just hidden really well.

Steps to fix your SONY DSC-M1 "sliding mechanism".

First Step:
Remove the battery, and Pro Card.

Second Step:
Take a 0.0 size Phillips Screwdriver that are usually used for eyeglasses (or some really small screwdriver that fits if you dont have). The eyeglasses screwdrivers fit absolutley perfectly into the screw head, and they will not usually damage the screw head. Take the screwdriver and remove all 7 screws around the outside edge of the camera (top, bottom, left and right sides) only on base unit, not on the sliding mechanism unit.

Third Step:
Remove the cover to access the inside of the camera. Once the cover has been removed, you can see the entire workings of the camera. At the top of the camera, take your fingernail and gently try to tilt the top of the inside piece toward yourself. It should move freely and without difficulty. If you have a difficult time with a piece, it is probably not meant to be moved. Toward the middle of the inside there are the flat wires that when you tilt this portion, these flat wires act as kind of a hinge to the unit you are tilting out.

Fourth Step:
Underneath that unit you tilted out, you should see 2 silver screws, which should both be about the size, maybe a touch larger than the screws you removed on the outside of the case. (one post says 1 screw, and another says 3 screws, but I only found 2. I do not know but, some cameras may only have one, and some may have 2 or three. Check yours and just find as many as possible in this area) (the screws on the ouside of the case shouldve been black, these are silver in color) Take your screwdriver and tighten the 2 screws that you find underneath the tilting part. Be sure not to overtighten or to hit or damage any cables, wires or anything else. One screw may be hidden underneath the many small wires going through the hole in the middle of the top portion.

Step Five:
Once you have located both screws and tightened them, your unit should move normally, and not be loose. If this is so, you may tilt the unit back into its cradle, put the outside cover back on, and replace all 7 screws back into their holes. Be sure not to overtighten, or to damage the top of the screw head. This camera should be good for many years to come if you take care of it.

Step Six:
Take camera out and enjoy it. It should be tight and feel like it was brand new again.

***I hope this information helps people that are having this problem with their Sony DSC-M1. This information was not intended to hurt, or damage any persons equipment. This is a description that I could give to the best of my ability. If you have any success, please post and say that you have had success. Thanks ***

Thanks so much for the help! I haven't been using my camera because I had the same problem and didn't want to go through the hassle of shipping it in to be fixed. I'm glad I found this before I paid someone else $200 to tighten some screws!

Thanks for adding your question, Jim and for all your solutions, all. I'm glad I ran into this on the internet. I was having the same problem. Very loose! I showed my hubby the solutions, we followed all your suggested solutions above and...VOILA!!!... good as new!
Very helpful.

Trent Allen's suggestion was on the nose!!!(January 22nd) I followed his directions and everything was as he said. Thanks Trent!