My kodak z712IS is terrible with batteries. Cleaning the contacts does not work. I'm using NiMH 2450 mAmp batteries, brand new, and I get a low battery indicator immediately. Camera shuts off unexpectedly. A short search online indicates that HUNDREDS of people are having the same problem. Kodak help not very helpful. I'm ready to buy something else!

Check contacts of the batteries and in the battery compartment of your camera. Dirty or oxidised contacts can be cleaned with a dry cloth. Never use sharp tools to clean contacts or anything in or on your camera.
Always charge the batteries before using it for the first time, or if you have not used it for a long period. 3 months is a very long period.

Also check if the battery door is closed correct. Most cameras do have a switch connected to the battery door. If the switch does not work correct, it could be you can't switch on your camera.
Do not use alkaline batteries unless it is absolutely necessary. In most cases, alkaline batteries have a shorter service life than NiMH. Alkaline battery performance is limited, especially at low temperatures. The use of NiMH batteries is recommended.
Never use manganese (Zinc-Carbon) batteries in your camera. They can't deliver enough power.

I have the same problem... cleaning the contacts does not work. I'm using NiMH 2450 mAmp batteries, brand new, and I get a low battery indicator immediately. Camera shuts off unexpectedly. A short search online indicates that HUNDREDS of people are having the same problem. Kodak help not very helpful. I'm ready to buy something else!

hi i just to have silimar problem with old panasonic, kodak and polaroid cameras.

try to use Duracel alkalines, not the cheap ones with out alkaline those are for remotes and clocks. flashlights.

if you are using rechargables make sure they are 2700mha AA NiMH or higher. lower won't work(there is another kind of rechargeables batteries those don't work on it).

for the lithium i never used them. they were kind of expensive compare to alkalines.
If i help. please rate me :)

The way to test this is to have some new batteries of the best grade, don't use the cheaper types, these may not make these cameras work correctly. I have seen this problem before.

Also you can try a set of fully charged rechargeable batteries. These kinds of cameras may use more power and need more power to make them work right.
Links to possible help on this:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=11580&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=8931
http://selfservice.kodak.com/external/en/urg/urg_00776/GLB_en_urg_00776_manual_ATG/urg00776c3s1.html

You can purchase it from: http://www.crv3.com/crv3-rechargeable/

Remove the batteries and clean the battery contacts inside the camera with a soft cloth (a heavy buildup on the contacts may require cleaning with a fine wire brush, steel wool, or sandpaper). Remove any residue that the cleaning leaves in the camera, and then reinstall the batteries. This clears most power-on problems, but if yours persists, check the Kodak troubleshooting guide at:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/repair/troubleshooting/troubleshooting.jhtml?pq-path=6198

It may help to remove the batteries for a few minutes or clean the contacts. Repair of cameras is more expensive than replacement, but it may help to clean and charge the batteries as described below.A friend asked me to clean and charge her new 2000mAh Duracell batteries as described in the next link. Those batteries are still going strong after four months of normal use and have not been recharged.Click this link for other camera tips and complete instructions on cleaning camera and battery electrical contacts. http://www.google.com/base/a/4210404/D13...Also, digital cameras reset to original settings if batteries are removed for one minute. Time varies with function/camera. Check display/setup menu for non-auto functions and date/time. Remove extra memory to eliminate this as a possible problem. Insert fully charged/cleaned batteries and restart camera. The ultimate non-physical repair for software-using devices is reset by removing power ... VCR/DVD players one month.Most NiMH rechargeable batteries lose charge and should be recharged when not used after two weeks, but Duracell and RayOVac new formula 2000mAh NiMH batteries hold charge one year when not used. Also, 2000mAh batteries seem to have a longer life. Did not like these batteries at first, but have 12 over five years old and all are still as good as new. Higher mAh batteries (about one year old) still work well in flashlights, but won't start my camera.CAUTION Do not overcharge! Batteries can be damaged. Use an automatic two or more hour Energizer Compact smart charger with temperature monitor, trickle charge technology, and safety timer ($9.76) at Walmart. Use pre-charged 2000mAh Duracell ($12.97) or RayOVac ($5.97) batteries (both hold charge one year) and a full cycle charge. To preserve battery charge, use the viewfinder.If batteries are removed more than a few hours, the date/time setting and other set-up information will be lost. If the camera is being stored for a long time, the batteries should be removed and stored properly.Carry and dispose of batteries in baggies, blister packs, or other containers to protect ends from short circuit. Batteries explode when short circuited. NiMH batteries are environmentally friendly and may be discarded with trash.The next link is about prolonging the life of lithium-based batteries which last from two to three years, but are very expensive. A Sony series G rechargeable 960mAh lithium-ion battery is $49.88 at Walmart.http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo... ...Camera reports batteries low, but is it low charge or bad electrical contacts? Overcharging can ruin good batteries! The secret to making digital cameras work better is having good electrical contacts between batteries and camera.Digital cameras require lots of power. Bad electrical contacts can cause lots of problems so battery and camera contacts must be cleaned properly. Batteries may be fully charged, but camera will indicate "low" if contacts are not really good. The LCD screen is a low steady load, but when lens extension, optical zoom, focus, and flash charging are added in the capture mode; the load is very heavy. Bad contacts make cameras do strange things like making bad pictures or shutting off with the lens out. NiMH batteries should be recharged when camera reports batteries low. Old batteries can discharge over night, but may provide normal service immediately after being charged. Battery pairs no longer usable in cameras may work well in flashlights. Do not drop batteries or allow voltage below one volt.CAUTION To prevent memory card corruption, keep batteries charged, format in camera, and don't delete or fill card completely. Wait for lights to stop flashing then turn camera off before removing memory. For card readers, double click Safely Remove Hardware. Select, then click Stop and OK.Never touch battery ends or camera electrical contacts. Oil from fingers will contaminate contacts. Use batteries in matched pairs of same brand and rating. Do not mix old and new batteries. New will only do as well as old.Click source link for other camera tips and complete instructions on cleaning camera and battery electrical contacts.

Remove the batteries and clean the battery contacts inside the camera with a soft cloth (a heavy buildup on the contacts may require cleaning with a fine wire brush, steel wool, or sandpaper). Remove any residue that the cleaning leaves in the camera, and then reinstall the batteries. This clears most power-on problems, but if yours persists, check the Kodak troubleshooting guide at:

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/repair/troubleshooting/troubleshooting.jhtml?pq-path=6198

Safe way - Try using brand new and fully charged NiMh.

Not for novice - Battery contact points may need cleaning. Use contact cleaner with a cotton swab.

Do not try - Spraying contact cleaner or WD-40 in battery compartment.

Last option - Service center.

the camera will work with any brand of lithium but only the KLIC 8000 battery will work as a rechargeable

please look at your getting started guide and check page 1, there's an illustration of the 3 types of batts that will work:
lithium crv3, lithium aa and klic 8000
ni-mh is really not compatible

please check at the bottom of your camera, the three types of batts I mentioned are engraved at the battery door

thank you