sony cybershot error message?

[Sasquatch69]

I have a Sony Cybershot S-50 that has served me well for four years. Today, though, it began displaying an error message on the display: "E:61:10". Anyone have any idea how to fix this?

 

[YChang]

download and flash your camera's firmware perhaps. Format the memory stick

 

[Sasquatch69]

Well, crap. Further research revealed this error message means "camera has lost communication with the lens" - basically, one of the wires to the lens has shorted out or one of the gears that zoom and focus the lens has become impacted somehow. Either way, it's basically toast. I'm gonna crack it open and try and diagose the problem, but I'm not optimistic. Given that it's nearly 5 years old and only 2.1 megapixels, it's probably due for replacement anyway. Now, if only I had the cash...