Works for W7 too. Thanks!

Wow, it actually worked for me. I had to whack it a couple of times, pretty hard. I was minutes away from buying a new camera online when I decided to look into the problem with my DSC-W5. I have to admit, I was looking forward to a new camera, but I'll gladly keep the money for now. Thanks!

Just hit my daughter's DSC W5 with the lens stuck open. Tapped it on my knee lens up and like magic it retracts now.

Keep another camera handy in case your DSC W5 gives up again! Our lens won't come out. We bought our DSC W5 in April 2005 and loved it. Within two months of purchase the lens wouldn't come out at all. It was repaired under warranty. The camera continued to work fine after that and we were so pleased with it that we bought the teleconversion lens and necessary adaptor ring. Two weeks ago,(while on holiday in China), the camera died again. So much for precious photo memories. We have been advised that it is a main board problem and about $400.00 to repair. Note to self: buy extended warranty next time. I see that this is one of the models that Sony recalled in Japan and China in 2005. Too bad they didn't recall it in Canada too.

A bit nervous of the whacking technique and threatened by my wife, I gave it a shot and it worked. Had to hit it a couple time on and off on the bottom of the camera and then it finally worked.

My DSC - W7 also suffered the lens stuck , disease . I came across this web page and tried out the whack , it worked

Just tried the same trick with my P200 which got lens stuck a couple of days ago - hitting the base in my hand didn't work, so I hit the back (screen side) of the camera and it worked straight away. Definitely worth a couple of taps...

Yes, my camera was doing this exact same thing (Sony DSC W5). After searching and searching online I found a posting that said to give the camera a good jolt, like dropping it on the floor. I hit mine on the floor a couple of times and it actually worked. My camera is working as good as new. It's deffinately worth a try.

Hi Guys, This is wonderful....I read your suggestions and gave it a try... I was suprised to see the result. If every problem could be solved in this way........we could save a lot money for trip to International space station

Thank you all so very, very much!! I have a Sony DSC-P200. About a month ago, the lens got stuck extended and would not retract. Sony still wants a flat fee to fix it ($177 plus shipping from where I live). I tried your "whack on the bottom" technique and - voila!!!! Success!!! I was already on C|Net looking for reviews of new cameras to buy. You've saved me at least $250.00! P.S. I held it in my right hand and gave it a medium-hard whack on its bottom at the base of my left hand. I had previously tried whacking the lens (I was horrified even as I did it) to no avail. The whack was hard enough to make my hand hurt for a moment, but I got immediate compliance from the camera. Hooray!!! Thank you all again!!!