a7CR: Rubber sealing gasket by card reader begins to crumble

[benfreidlin]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

 

[ActionPhotoPassion]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I have an original A7 that I barely use and you would not imagine how is the rubber at the level of the palm (right foot where there is the red led indicator for image recording).

I just don't neither think about it nor watch it now for my mental health. I'm not the kind of a person cuddling my cameras and they all receive the same treatments and wears: This one is the only one falling apart so far.

 

[srm39]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

Same problem here. Returned the camera to retailer under warranty. Less than 4 months only and very little used.

Camera now with Sony UK for repair 'waiting for parts' so I'm assuming the rubber sealing is being replaced.

I was concerned that apart from the look of the camera, it could affect any weather resistance as well as potential resale value at a later date.

 

[lattesweden]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

Can you please take a picture how it looks?

 

[srm39]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

Can you please take a picture how it looks?

Appreciate this was asked of OP but this is where the seal on mine has started to crumble away (stock photo showing the problem area, not the actual camera affected).

 

[jayboo]

Saw this thread, wondered what it was about, checked my 4 week old A7CR and can see part of the same gasket has already chipped off mine. This is I guess part of the weather sealing of the body. Mine is not going out in any heavy weather anytime soon I think I'll just keep an eye on it, as I really don't feel like sending it in just now.

 

[srm39]

Saw this thread, wondered what it was about, checked my 4 week old A7CR and can see part of the same gasket has already chipped off mine. This is I guess part of the weather sealing of the body. Mine is not going out in any heavy weather anytime soon I think I'll just keep an eye on it, as I really don't feel like sending it in just now.

I thought about whether to send mine in or not. I don't think it's a major issue but it's the possible effect on weather sealing and resale value which convinced me to send it in.

Unfortunately, it's been in a week already and likely to be 2-3 weeks more as they don't have the parts in stock.

 

[jayboo]

Saw this thread, wondered what it was about, checked my 4 week old A7CR and can see part of the same gasket has already chipped off mine. This is I guess part of the weather sealing of the body. Mine is not going out in any heavy weather anytime soon I think I'll just keep an eye on it, as I really don't feel like sending it in just now.

I thought about whether to send mine in or not. I don't think it's a major issue but it's the possible effect on weather sealing and resale value which convinced me to send it in.

Unfortunately, it's been in a week already and likely to be 2-3 weeks more as they don't have the parts in stock.

I have a feeling they may end up having to get quite a lot of them, it seems like a weak spot, maybe a manufacturing/design problem. Mine can wait a while, even though I have other cameras I haven't felt like using them since getting this little power house.

 

[srm39]

Saw this thread, wondered what it was about, checked my 4 week old A7CR and can see part of the same gasket has already chipped off mine. This is I guess part of the weather sealing of the body. Mine is not going out in any heavy weather anytime soon I think I'll just keep an eye on it, as I really don't feel like sending it in just now.

I thought about whether to send mine in or not. I don't think it's a major issue but it's the possible effect on weather sealing and resale value which convinced me to send it in.

Unfortunately, it's been in a week already and likely to be 2-3 weeks more as they don't have the parts in stock.

I have a feeling they may end up having to get quite a lot of them, it seems like a weak spot, maybe a manufacturing/design problem. Mine can wait a while, even though I have other cameras I haven't felt like using them since getting this little power house.

I think so too. People probably won't notice, as I didn't for a while. It's a great camera (particularly paired with a 20-70G) and I'm missing it already!

 

[ahaslett]

• srm39 wrote:

Saw this thread, wondered what it was about, checked my 4 week old A7CR and can see part of the same gasket has already chipped off mine. This is I guess part of the weather sealing of the body. Mine is not going out in any heavy weather anytime soon I think I'll just keep an eye on it, as I really don't feel like sending it in just now.

I thought about whether to send mine in or not. I don't think it's a major issue but it's the possible effect on weather sealing and resale value which convinced me to send it in.

Unfortunately, it's been in a week already and likely to be 2-3 weeks more as they don't have the parts in stock.

I have a feeling they may end up having to get quite a lot of them, it seems like a weak spot, maybe a manufacturing/design problem. Mine can wait a while, even though I have other cameras I haven't felt like using them since getting this little power house.

I think so too. People probably won't notice, as I didn't for a while. It's a great camera (particularly paired with a 20-70G) and I'm missing it already!

Mine arrived Tue and the 20-70mm G today. Hopefully it won't happen, but maybe it's a design fault.

A

 

[srm39]

• srm39 wrote:

Saw this thread, wondered what it was about, checked my 4 week old A7CR and can see part of the same gasket has already chipped off mine. This is I guess part of the weather sealing of the body. Mine is not going out in any heavy weather anytime soon I think I'll just keep an eye on it, as I really don't feel like sending it in just now.

I thought about whether to send mine in or not. I don't think it's a major issue but it's the possible effect on weather sealing and resale value which convinced me to send it in.

Unfortunately, it's been in a week already and likely to be 2-3 weeks more as they don't have the parts in stock.

I have a feeling they may end up having to get quite a lot of them, it seems like a weak spot, maybe a manufacturing/design problem. Mine can wait a while, even though I have other cameras I haven't felt like using them since getting this little power house.

I think so too. People probably won't notice, as I didn't for a while. It's a great camera (particularly paired with a 20-70G) and I'm missing it already!

Mine arrived Tue and the 20-70mm G today. Hopefully it won't happen, but maybe it's a design fault.

A

 

[Sgt_Strider]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

 

[benfreidlin]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

Had the camera only a week and barely used when I saw it.

 

[srm39]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

Had the camera only a week and barely used when I saw it.

Same - have not used the camera very much at all since purchase including SD card insert/removal. The gasket should be more robust.

 

[lattesweden]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

I have an A7CII, which seems body identical. From day one my card door doesn't open instantly but a little delayed. I guess it is the gasket that is a little sticky like a 3M note, and that the door when the spring finally overcomes the stickyness and opens, simply lifts (tears off) some parts that has stuck onto the door out from the gasket with it. My gasket on the A7CII (bought autumn 2023) is still looking ok, but I guess this problem is both with the A7CR and the A7CII.

Why the gasket is sticky is another question, if it was meant by design or if it is material degeneration.

--
Best regards
/Anders

 

[srm39]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

I have an A7CII, which seems body identical. From day one my card door doesn't open instantly but a little delayed. I guess it is the gasket that is a little sticky like a 3M note, and that the door when the spring finally overcomes the stickyness and opens, simply lifts (tears off) some parts that has stuck onto the door out from the gasket with it. My gasket on the A7CII (bought autumn 2023) is still looking ok, but I guess this problem is both with the A7CR and the A7CII.

Why the gasket is sticky is another question, if it was meant by design or if it is material degeneration.

As far as I know the door of the SD slot doesn't touch the gasket (though it's difficult to be sure once the door is closed!). My A7CR is with Sony for repair, so I'm unable to check at the moment. I don't think my door was 'sticky' though.

 

[DirkPeh]

I am afraid to inspect my new A7c II now, I just replace my sd-card with closed eyes and tell myself everything is fine.

 

[srm39]

I am afraid to inspect my new A7c II now, I just replace my sd-card with closed eyes and tell myself everything is fine.

I feel your pain - I thought about leaving it but feel that I'll have to deal with the issue sooner or later so may as well get it out of the way now.

 

[lattesweden]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

I have an A7CII, which seems body identical. From day one my card door doesn't open instantly but a little delayed. I guess it is the gasket that is a little sticky like a 3M note, and that the door when the spring finally overcomes the stickyness and opens, simply lifts (tears off) some parts that has stuck onto the door out from the gasket with it. My gasket on the A7CII (bought autumn 2023) is still looking ok, but I guess this problem is both with the A7CR and the A7CII.

Why the gasket is sticky is another question, if it was meant by design or if it is material degeneration.

As far as I know the door of the SD slot doesn't touch the gasket (though it's difficult to be sure once the door is closed!). My A7CR is with Sony for repair, so I'm unable to check at the moment. I don't think my door was 'sticky' though.

There are no other gasket in this area. If the door doesn't touch the gasket, why would it be there? I mean having a gasket just by its own does not make anything water resistant, something has to act as a lid also, which in my view is the door.

--
Best regards
/Anders

 

[srm39]

Noticed it this morning and the slot reader was empty. Blew it away before it fell inside. Surprised to see this as the camera is brand new and used maybe a few dozen hours.

I'm wondering what may have caused the problem in the first place? Constant insert and removal of the SDXC card?

I have an A7CII, which seems body identical. From day one my card door doesn't open instantly but a little delayed. I guess it is the gasket that is a little sticky like a 3M note, and that the door when the spring finally overcomes the stickyness and opens, simply lifts (tears off) some parts that has stuck onto the door out from the gasket with it. My gasket on the A7CII (bought autumn 2023) is still looking ok, but I guess this problem is both with the A7CR and the A7CII.

Why the gasket is sticky is another question, if it was meant by design or if it is material degeneration.

As far as I know the door of the SD slot doesn't touch the gasket (though it's difficult to be sure once the door is closed!). My A7CR is with Sony for repair, so I'm unable to check at the moment. I don't think my door was 'sticky' though.

There are no other gasket in this area. If the door doesn't touch the gasket, why would it be there? I mean having a gasket just by its own does not make anything water resistant, something has to act as a lid also, which in my view is the door.
--
Best regards
/Anders

Not even sure it's a gasket. There is a rubber 'surround' around the SD slot which crumbled away. Bits of that rubber were loose in the SD card area and had to be removed before they got into the SD slot.

It also looked as if there was a hole of some sort under the rubber which had crumbled away. I don't know what purpose that rubber part has but an almost new camera with little use should not have that problem and Sony have agreed to repair it.

Maybe it would have affected weather/dust resistance, maybe not. It would have certainly affected resale value and the camera's under warranty so it's getting repaired.