How can I find a replacement button for my digital camera?

October 22, 2006 7:06 AM

Can you help me find the part I need to fix my digital camera?

Dear Metafilter,

Long story short: a button has broken off of my camera, and I'd like to replace it. The camera is still usable without the button, as long as I have a paper clip handy, but that's not very convenient.

The camera is a Panasonic Lumix LZ3, and the piece in question is the zoom lever/shutter button marked in this image. The list of available parts can be found by going to Panasonic's Parts Page and entering model number DMC-LZ3. The problem is that all the parts are listed by their technical names, and I'm not smart enough to know what's what. The manual lists these parts only as the "zoom lever" and "shutter button," so that's no help.

I attempted to use Panasonic's feedback form on the parts page and got only an "Application Error"; I filled out a customer support form and received only silence. I give this up to you now, Metafilter; you are my last and only hope.

Love,
Nedroid

posted by Nedroid to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

It's probably something that is marked "switch" of some sort. It will say in the service manual, which you can get by calling the parts center. Who knows, if you call the parts center, they may be able to help you as well.
posted by grouse at 8:02 AM on October 22, 2006

Looking at the available parts, the 'Rotary Switch' (I assume the mode selector next to the missing zoom/shutter control) costs 9.55. One would expect the missing control to cost more than that, as it's dual function and sprung, but nothing in the list fits. Therefore, I wonder if it's only available as part of the 'Top Cabinet' for 23.73. (A 'Top Cabinet' appears to be one of these.)
posted by Busy Old Fool at 8:59 AM on October 22, 2006

Usually small parts aren't available, only larger sub-assemblies. I suspect BOF has it right.
posted by A189Nut at 9:46 AM on October 22, 2006