While hiking in Moab, I, like many others before me, discovered the fragility of a digital camera LCD. Not wanting to pitch a 'perfectly good' camera, or pay an exorbitant repair fee at a Sony Service Center which would exceed the cost of a new camera, I decided to attempt the job myself.

In this instructable I show how to replace a cracked LCD in a Sony Cybershot DSC-W50 digital camera with a new one purchased online.

The instructable broken down into the following steps:
1. Tools & Parts
2. Casing Disassembly
3. Removal of Broken LCD
4. Installation of New LCD
5. Casing Reassembly
6. Testing / Conclusion

Step 1: Tools & Parts

In order to complete this instructable the following parts and tools are required:

Parts:
- Sony DSC-W50 digital camera with broken (cracked) LCD
- replacement LCD

Tools:
- Small (precision / jeweller's) Phillips screwdriver
- Small flathead screwdriver or other precision prying tool
- Tweezers or other precision grasping tool (optional)
- patience

New LCDs fitting the DSC-W50 camera can be purchased online used or new from several sources, although I would be hesitant about buying a replacement part used (such as off ebay).

I purchased my replacement LCD at darntoothysam as all their camera parts are factory new. There are other retailers which offer replacement parts though considerable research may be required.

I believe that the LCD is identical for W models 5, 7, 50 and 70, though don't hold me to this. As always, Google is your friend.

Step 2: Casing Disassembly

In this step we disassemble the camera to the point necessary in order to replace the LCD.

- First and foremost, remove the camera battery (!important)
- Remove the screws from the side and bottom panels, and put them somewhere safe. For the love of god, don't lose those screws (they're tiny)!
- Carefully remove the side panels and bottom panel. The side panels are just plastic and are somewhat fragile. The camera casing should now be able to be snapped apart.
- Unsnap and remove the front half of the camera casing and remove any screws holding the back half in place.
- Replace the front half of the casing and remove the back half.

It may be necessary to release some snaps with your prying tool (screwdriver) in order to take apart the casing. At this point you should be looking at the naked back of your DSC-W50.

Step 3: Removal of Broken LCD

In this step we remove the broken LCD and replace it with the new one.

- Detach the LCD and backlight from the camera body by sliding it out from underneath the snaps. You may need to pry it in some spots.
- Fold the backlight and LCD over, exposing the ribbon cable
- Unplug the LCD ribbon cable from the socket at the base of the camera. This should be done slowly and carefully. I recommend gradually easing out the cable by wiggling it back and forth.
- Remove the LCD

So far, so good.

Step 4: Installation of New LCD

This is the most difficult part of the instructable. I spent more time on the last part of this step than any other part of the project. There may be a better way to do this, but it would likely require further disassembly of the camera.

- Place the LCD overtop the backlight, holding it out from the body of the camera
- Fold and twist the ribbon cable from the side of the LCD behind the backlight and down the body of the camera towards the bottom of the camera (there is a groove in the metal backing)
- Set the backlight and LCD into place, overtop the cable, by sliding them below the metal snaps / framing
- Fold the free end of the ribbon cable over and insert it into the connector slot inside the camera body. This is quite difficult. If you decide to use a grasping tool (optional) be careful not to damage the ribbon cable or the leads. Again, I found that wiggling (after initial direct force) worked well.

Step 5: Casing Reassembly

In this step, we reassemble the camera casing now that the LCD has been installed.

- Reattach the bottom panel and back casing (snap it in place)
- Reattach the plastic side panels and screw in place
- Screw in the bottom panel

Basically, reverse whatever you did in Step 2.

On my first attempt the side panels stuck out and I later damaged them. Be careful, they can only go in one way and are not interchangeable.

Step 6: Testing / Conclusion

Now to check if everything is okay.

- Re-insert the battery (and memory stick if it was removed)
- Power on the camera

If the LCD works, congrats, you've successfully installed a new LCD! If not, go back to step 2 and double-check everything (i.e. start troubleshooting). If your camera doesn't power on, well, good luck with that...

Hope you enjoyed the instructable. As always, comments and (de)constructive criticism are welcome.