FZ28 'mechanical' noise

I've noticed that the zoom mechanism on my FZ28 is increasingly noisy. There seems to be slight grinding and clunking sounds whenever the camera is switched on and when the zoom is used.

The zoom appears to work as well as it always has but I'm concerned that these sounds might indicate a mechanical fault that could get worse.

I've owned this camera for about three months and have always kept it in a case or box when it is not in use.

Anyone experienced these or similar problems?
I'd be grateful for any comments and/or advice.

Can you go to the store or a service center and compare with a demo ?

I find the zoom to be noisy myself but it is the same as it was some 2000 shots ago: a whirring sound, not many clunks but at the end of its 'readying up' when I turn the camera on, a fairly big 'toc', and when it retracts after turning the camera off. I also hear the iris (or is it the shutter) closing then.

Did you read the manual?

That noise is normal. It happens on the 18 too. If I recall, it is related to the stabilization system.
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Thanks, I have read the manual.

The sounds I am describing/experiencing have developed recently and are not those that I would associate with normal use as outlined in the manual.

Jobsworth said:

Thanks, I have read the manual.
The sounds I am describing/experiencing have developed recently and
are not those that I would associate with normal use as outlined in
the manual.
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Click to expand...

Oh, that is too bad! I hope Panasonic can resolve it for you and fix your camera if necessary.

--Would definitely check it out against a new unit if possible. Loud, odd noises doesn’t sound like something that is going to get any better.
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