Lcd screen shows horizontal stripe effect that fades somewhat when I go to the review .

I have had the Kodak Z612 camera for about 18 months with no problems. I have printed a few of the new pictures and the light backgrounds show stripes of very thin lines. Darker prints appear normal, but I think the general picture quality seems a bit poorer. I am guessing I am out of luck since it is no longer under warranty. Anyone else having this problem?

Linda,

I am having the same problem that you are having. Sorry I don't have an answer but I tried what James suggested and I don't see a diffrerence when I reset the camera. I also went online and did not find a firmware upgrade for the camera. I have called kodak about the problem. And like you I am out of my warranty. They want over $100 to repair it. So I think I am in the market for a new camera. I am not too happy about that!

Thanks to both of you. I did talk to Kodak after posting this and got the same "over 100 dollar repair" news. They had me try the reboot idea that james suggested, no luck. Talked to a local camera shop and was told that it had to do with the main imaging component and wasn't worth repairing. Now I am ready to look for another camera and need to decide if I should make the jump to an SLR model. I'd like to invest in something that doesn't self destruct in the first 18 months! Thanks again

Robyn and Linda, Well, if you purchased it with a credit card, contact them and ask if they can get involved in helping you to return a defective electronics item. Additionally, if the camera's warranty is expired, you may have extended warranty time as a perk of the credit card you used. Ask them about that as well.

Then, contact KODAK about an RMA return for a defective product. Most don't know about the RMA programs electronics have. Tell them what you've told us and request a replacement unit. I woudn't give up simply because some tech gave you the stock spiel out of a handbook.

In the end though, if you're going to invest in a new camera, you may want to consider the Olympus SP560UZ or for an SLR the Canon Digital Rebel XTi.

James thanks for the info. I recieved the camera for a christmas present in 06. So I am not sure if I can get access to the credit card receipt or if the person even paid with a credit card. But thanks for that info. I was upset because when I called Kodak and sat on hold waiting for a support person for 30 minutes, I got someone whose first language was not English. I have no problem but it made it frustrating because he could not understand me and I could not understand him. I could tell he was just reading quesiton from a script and really had no insight on how to help me fix the problem.

Which is why the first thing I do when I call tech support is ask what country they are in. If they refuse to say, you demand to be transfered to someone in the US. Request a manager. Move up the chain of command. Just because "Ricky" from Jakarta is reading from a script, doesn't mean that's the final word.

James you are so funny! Ricky from Jakarta LOL!!! Maybe I will try to call again but the hold time is frustrating too.

Well I don't mean to be belittling of the techs overseas, but you'd be amazed how many outsourced tech support guys I've talked to in India that really go by the name Ricky. No kidding!

Kodak has a chat feature on their website, you may get faster replies there.

Actually, the camera shop guy I talked to recommended the Canon Rebbel xti also. Thanks for the interst.
Funny...the tech i talked to from Kodak also sounded Indian but I think I got most of the info straight! He did tell me about a program whereby I could get a 15% off coupon/code for a new Kodak camera if I mailed them my old camera. Prices look to be better if I just watch for a sale. I'm thinking I don't want another Kodak anyway!

Linda, the rep from Kodak told me that too about the 15% off. I thought it was not worth it. By the time I pay for shipping my old camera back and pay for shipping on a new camera, that would equal the 15% off they were offering. I am with you...I am not getting another Kodak. I am acutually thinking FUJI. my first digital camera was a FUJI and I loved it. I still have it and am using it until I get a newer camera. I only replaced it because the Kodak was a gift. However I would have replaced it simply for the fact that newer technology is available and not because I did not like it. But I will look into the Canon you mentioned also. I have a friend who mentioned she really like Canon products.

Hey Robyn Have you looked at Cnet.com ? My husband found the site today and it has lots of info..video too, about all different makes and models. Very interesting and they point out pros and cons about each one. He said FUJIs were rated very high. Good luck in your search!

I know several people who LOVE their Fuji's. Particularly the super zooms. I've seen pictures shot with the FinePix S5200 that are outstanding ... and it's only at 5.1 MP. They've gotten much better sinc then.

I came across an interesting article today about how more mega pixels is not necessarily a good thing. According to Image Engineering – a company that does testing of digital cameras for photo magazines in Germany – the quality of digital pictures has steadily decreased since the state of the art was six megapixels back in 2004. And because they don’t have a “dog in this hunt,” they put forth a compelling argument for buying new digital cameras with less mega pixels and not more.

The argument is essentially this: CCD chips on point and shoot cameras a smaller and as such, fitting in more pixels causes them to lose light sensivity. Sure, there’s more data on the chip, but the chip can’t absorb the light data and what it ends up with is a picture that has more noise than image quality. In addition, the more megapixels a camera has, the larger the lens it needs to provide the clarity it deserves and prevent diffraction due to a loss of detail with smaller apertures. But since we’re talking portable point and shoots here, those large lenses simply aren’t being made.

Finally, with larger mega pixels comes longer saving time due to their requires huge storage capacity, or more compression if not storing images in RAW format. The result is a noisier image and a dissatisfied camera user who thirsts for high quality and speed.
In the end, relying on a smaller MP that can balance all these needs may indeed be an answer as well.