I think most people would equate heavier weight with a 'more solidly' built camera, because the perception is that it's made of more metal rather than polycarbs or synthetics. Interestingly, certain polrcarbs and synthetics are shatter-proof/resistant or offer immense resistance properties, like Lexan, which is bullet-proof.
But it's like the perception about cough medicine - 'if it tastes too good, it can't be effective'. What people don't know is that the active ingredients in real cough meds can easily be put into a tablet or capsule. It doesn't have to be in a liquid formula that must get in contact with the esophagus for it to work.