Dear friends, I am from Brazil and had exactly the same problem. It seems to be the CCD problem again. Sony charged me aprox. US$ 800,00 to repair it although this problem is happening all over the world with different customers typically after 1 or 2 years. There is a project problem with DSC-F717 and they know this. I am an electronic engineer and I know what I am talking about. I am very disappointed with Sony. The should perform a recall (as a serious company should act) instead of ignoring customers. I know that my camera is not under guarantee anymore (just 6 months) but, I do not consider 1,5 years old (after aprox. 1400 pictures) as a reasonable life of a digital camera that is (or was) the top of line of Sony´s Digital Cameras. Specially because I am a very, very careful person with all electronic devices. My camera is like new without any scratch and has never fallen. The local representative service also informed me the CCD must be changed together with the whole set of lens (from Carl Zeiss). This is the recommendation from Sony. It is an absurd. Sony charge us because of their project problem not only the CCD but the whole set of lens. I sent a complete report to Sony aprox. 2 months ago and they just ignored me (as did with customers all over the world) and answered (after 1 month and a lot of complaints) that the camera was not under guarantee anymore (obvious as it was 1,5 years old). Serious companies who have project problems perform a “Recall” even with products that are not under guarantee. At least should charge us reasonable costs. I gave up of my Sony and bought a Nikon. Now, my mission is to send this information all over the world helping customers to decide what digital camera they should buy. I regret to tell you that F717 from Sony is a failure model. Good camera if it is still working. If you want more details, please send me a e-mail ( f717failure@hotmail.com ) that I will send you a complete report (the same that I have sent to SONY USA, BRAZIL, JAPAN and CARL ZEISS - GERMANY. We can make the difference (all together). Maybe Sony will show us (customers) more respect in future. Regards and good luck.

Hi all. I'm from Argentina and had the same problem with my DSCF717. After two years of great pictures the image got distorted, then completely black. As I had bought the camera in USA I mailed it to a friend and I had it fixed for free because of the SONY recall. Few pictures after the repair the camera started to have the "exposure problem". In my camera this means I can not use automatic exposure in most situations because of over or under exposure. I still use the camera, however, in manual exposure mode since the sensor indicates the right exposure BEFORE pressing the release button so I can manually regulate the right exposure. The pictures are very good. Not having automatic exposure is a pain, though, when the ocassion requires a quick shot. I will be buying a new camera by now. NOT a SONY.

Hi, I have had my ccd of f-717 serviced by sony two times; but it got losing color again. I don't know what the problem is, and I don't feel worthy to call sony again. Good luck others.

My Sony DSC F717 failed in mid-September 2007. I contacted Sony customer service about a repair and was informed there was a recall on the sensor chip and if that was the problem there would be NO charge. They emailed me a UPS mailing slip. They paid for shipping. I am now waiting for the camera's return. It has been shipped back to me, due tomorrow. Sony confirmed there was NO charge to repair, probably replacing the CCD. Making the major assumption the camera has been properly I must say Sony Customer Service was great.

Dear sir, I have seen ur report on camera failure on net. me too purchased this dsc f 717 last august and last week suddenly camera started with lcd showing no picture but some hazy coloured screen. I was really surprised and shocked when such a trouble from a camera which i purchased after spending almost 6 months on net visiting sites such as dpreview, steves digicam etc. Kindly sent me a detailed report what exactly the problem u r facing with ur camera. In my case there no image on lcd as well as evf some sharp coloures were displayed as if original image is horizontly blurred. and i fully agree with u that a company like sony should give good regards to customers for such expensive products as dscf717. with lots of hope and expectations i ended up buying this product and i am an amatuer fotographer. the entire episode turn out to be a disaster and with comments on net and lack of response from sony i think every time i look at my camera in my wardrobe i am going to get constipation and sleepless nights. best regards to all of u N G Sathyanarayanan from Cochin

Hello all, Sony is not all BAD. I call today Sony and they told me there's a recall on this model. And you can get it fixed for free, please tell everyone that has this problem. Sony still a good company. Good day to all.

Just had my CCD go while I was down in Sturgis at the bike Rally!! What a place and time for the camera to break :-(. Oh well means I'll have to go back next year.

My Sony DSC-F717 started taking cloudy, barely visible, still shots about 26 months from its purchase date... It is now, no longer taking videos; about 45 months after I initially purchased it... To add to that... I rarely take photos; only at special occasions... So it is far from over used... I have had recent problems with other Sony produces. A $350 DVD player began acting up about 2 years after purchasing it. It encounters problems about 45 minutes into a DVD... I suspect it over heats or something... My brother reported the same problem with the same model DVD player that he purchased. PERSONALLY... I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SONY PRODUCT EVER !!!!!! SONY IS VERY INFERIOR - BAD !!!! May 29, 2007 --Joe.

Just today I experienced the distorted image problem my DSC-F717. I have contacted Sony Customer Service and can only hope that my camera will qualify for their recall program. I will not shell out the amount of money that has been discussed in this forum to repair it. Your can bet your bottom dollar that the replacement camera will not be a Sony. Cameras are not the only Sony product that has slipped in quality these pass years. I have had a surround sound amplifier, wireless headphone, big screen LCD TV, CRT rear projection big screen TV, VHS player, DVD player, radio and portable CD player fail couple of years or so of use. I was a Sony fan. If I needed a consumer electronic device and Sony made it, I bought it. Not any more, they have lost a loyal customer. I guess I am just slow.

dove posso trovare il pezzo di ricambio per la ccd for sony cybershot DSC-F717 mi serve tutta la scheda del ccd grazie provvidenzasanto@virgilio.it