Sony class action claims mirrorless cameras contain shutter defect

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Sony cameras class action overview: 

• Who: A camera consumer sued Sony.
• Why: The plaintiff says the company’s A7 III mirrorless cameras fail before their life expectancy. 
• Where: The Sony cameras class action lawsuit was filed in a Florida federal court. 
• What are my options: Brookstone offers cameras and accessories. 

A camera consumer sued Sony, alleging the company’s A7 III mirrorless cameras fail before their life expectancy.

Plaintiff Hannah Lewis filed the class action lawsuit against Sony Electronics Inc. May 6 in a Florida federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws. 

Sony manufactures the popular A7 III mirrorless camera, which sells for more than $1,600. 

According to the Sony cameras class action, not only do the mirrorless cameras fail before their life expectancy, but the company also allegedly denies warranty coverage to users who attempt to repair the defect.

While the life expectancy of the camera is 200,000 actuations — or photos taken — many consumers report the camera fails in the 10,000 to 50,000 actuations range. 

“Defendant is aware of the percentage of this model which experience premature shutter failure but has declined to act by issuing a recall or covering the faulty shutters,” the Sony cameras lawsuit alleges.

Meanwhile, Sony denied coverage to many consumers “for having caused ‘physical damage’ in attempting to fix the shutter failure,” the suit claims.

Consumers unsure about cause of defect, Sony cameras class action states

There are several possible explanations for why the camera fails before it should, the lawsuit states. 

One is that a shutter blade “catches” on an edge as it goes to take a picture. The Sony class action also alleges that the shutter is “unusually susceptible to disruption” by small particles. This can allegedly cause the blades to become out of alignment.

Lewis seeks to represent a class of Florida residents who bought the camera, plus a consumer fraud multistate class of people from Texas, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Iowa, Utah, Alaska, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kansas.

She sued for violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, state consumer fraud acts, breach of contract, breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and unjust enrichment.

Lewis seeks certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

In other Sony news, a 2021 class action lawsuit alleges Sony created a monopoly over the sale of digital PlayStation games and charges supracompetitive prices.

What do you think of the allegations against Sony in this case? Let us know in the comments.

Lewis is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.

The Sony cameras class action lawsuit is Lewis v. Sony Electronics Inc., Case No. 4:23-cv-00177, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division.

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