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Home > Kodak > M381 Digital Camera

Kodak M381

Hey! You should know that Kodak has released a newer version of this product: the Kodak EasyShare M583.

Kodak M381

C+

We've given the M381 a grade of C+.

Editor's Review

User comments

User Reviews

Editor's Review

The Kodak M381 has gone out of production. Here's what we had to say about the M381 when it was released back in September 2009.

The Kodak M381 is a fairly run-of-the-mill camera from a manufacturer that's had a rough run lately.The 12-megapixel sensor and 5x optical zoom are nice, but if recent history is any indication, the M381 probably won't satisfy.

Editor's Review

The Kodak M381 has gone out of production. Here's what we had to say about the M381 when it was released back in September 2009.

Specifications

12.4 megapixels
5x optical zoom
Smart Capture "intelligent" auto mode
3.0-inch LCD display
Secure Digital memory storage
Part Number: M381BLACK
UPC: 0417717859324
Release Date: Sep 01, 2009

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Kodak M381 Comments & Questions (write your own!)

Write a comment or ask a question about the Kodak M381:

Volume & Longevity (Greg — 12/28/2011)

It's a great camera, but the volume on the video replay is really low. Ironically, when the warranty ran out, all pictures in bright light( ie outside ) the picture comes out green with horizontal lines.... is this a defect or common?

reply to this comment

Kodak M381, One great camera! (Marie Poore — 09/06/2011)

I bought the Kodak M381 after owning the Kodak V803 which was very similar. I think the M381 is a lot nicer than the older model. Takes great pictures & I love the convenience of the smaller size. Has great zoom.

reply to this comment

zoom (martin — 10/12/2010)

my zooming won'T close all the way in! what can I do? it's stuck

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/14/2010)

That usually happens when the camera is dropped or banged against something. The lens gets knocked out of alignment. If that's the case, your only safe option is to cycle the camera on/off about a half dozen times in order to work the camera back into alignment.

But with Kodak, it could also be a power performance issue. Check your contacts to see if they're dirty causing a connection issue. Clean with a pencil eraser. Also, try another battery. If it solves the issue, you know the battery is losing capacity. if it doesn't, you have a larger problem requiring a repair.

reply to this comment

uncle buck (09/16/2010)

how do you date stamp the photos on a m381

reply to this comment

Chris Weigl (09/16/2010)

I did some searching and found this answer, although not the best. Remember that you can always look at the EXIF data afterwards to determine when a photo was taken.

After taking the pictures you have the option to add the date, this has to be done manually for every picture.

1. Turn the camera on.
2. Set the correct date and time.
3. Press the Review button, to display a picture on the LCD screen.
4. Press the Menu button to display options on the LCD screen .
5. Press the right arrow button to highlight the next tab.
6. Highlight Edit.
7. Press the down arrow button to go from one option to the next.
8. Highlight Add Date Stamp, and then press OK.

Message “ Date Stamp cannot be removed from a picture once added. Add date Stamp to this picture?

9. Select Yes, then press OK.
10. The date will be imprinted on the picture, press menu to exit options.

reply to this comment

unclebuck38@fsmail.net (09/20/2010)

thank you very much

reply to this comment

Battery gets hot (Sandy Pelletier — 09/07/2010)

I love my M381 but it freezes in open position and I noticed it feels very hot near the battery area. I have to remove the battery, let it cool off, then put it back in to continue. Anyone else had this problem?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (09/10/2010)

Is it the original battery? I ask because if you bought a replacement on say, eBay, it may be a counterfeit one. If it is original, then I'd look on Kodak's website for any possible Service advisory or recall.

reply to this comment

Camera eats battery charge (Ricardo D. — 07/20/2010)

Got the camera last December. Worked very well and meet easy to shoot needs for an unskilled user. Then 6 months later, the battery seems to die quickly after only a few pix. Got 3 new LiIon batteries and a new ext charger. All are having problems. Camera will freeze open and won't do anything until a full fresh battery is inserted. Even then it won't show a charging light on the camera itself. Even if not used, all the batteries seem to need to be topped off in charge. USB charger is no better. Seems like the camera is bleeding internally. Any ideas??

reply to this comment

Digital Cameras EAT Batteries (DKP50@aol.com — 07/18/2010)

I think ALL these Degital Cameras are a Con game..just put out or supported by the Battery Co,'s! They eat batteries.. ! And don't even Think of leaving the camera sit for a few weeks or month with the batteries in them,they will be Dead!

reply to this comment

Pictures grainy (Darlene — 02/16/2010)

I am having trouble getting sharp pictures. They all seem to be very grainy when I print them. Is there something that I must reset on my camera?

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (02/20/2010)

You can try resetting your camera, but if you're shooting on auto all the time, you may be over relying on the auto settings and it may be choosing an ISO over 400. The higher the ISO goes, the noisier/granier the images get. Keep it under 400, and don't expect miracles from the tiny flash and you should be okay.

reply to this comment

m381 microphone (Donny — 12/07/2009)

the m381 microphone is totally useless is this normal

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (12/07/2009)

Well, the thing you have to keep in mind is that all point and shoot digital cameras come with tiny omnidirectional microphones. Few are that great, if any. If sound with video is your game, I'd suggest looking for a camcorder that takes fairly good stills.

reply to this comment

Donny (12/15/2009)

Thanks for your reply, my other digi camera had sound which was much better quality than the kodak m381 so I just want to find out if my camera has a microphone fault or whether it is a poor quality mic on that model

reply to this comment

Selected incorrect language in initial setup (GEO-WV — 10/28/2009)

Inadvertently selected language other than English in initial setup. Unable to get menu to open to change the setting. After turn-on, LCD window cannot be changed by using Menu button. Apparently it's in Hungarian. LCD window has three lines:

A datum as pontos ido alaphelyzetben

Datum es ido beallitasa

megse

Can jump between last two lines but since don't know what it's asking am hesitant in selecting one of them. Thanks.

reply to this comment

by James DeRuvo (10/29/2009)

According to Google Translate ( translate.google.com/transl... ), they mean:

The exact date and time default

Date and time

cancel

What I would do is use the Google Translate feature to find the camera reset feature. Reset the camera to the factory default settings. You may also be able to use translate to reset your camera back to English. Worth trying.

Also, you can try taking out the batteries for a few days and then put them back in.

reply to this comment

mg (11/22/2009)

Same thing happened to me. I used Kodak's Help Chat and got help.

reply to this comment

Kodak M381 Reviews

Kodak M381 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users

2.0 out of 5

Disappointed (Alice Smith — 01/18/2011)

I bought this camera a while ago and it was amazing at first taking great pictures but like 6 months into it everything went downhill. The camera stopped functioning correctly and it would freeze, lens would stick and the pictures started coming out grainy and very blurry. Then one day it made a weird noise turned on by itself and died. The lens was sticking out and it refused to turn on and it just died. Honestly I would not buy this camera unless you only want it to last for like a few months.

3.0 out of 5

Nice Pics if you can download them (Loretta — 08/03/2010)

This is the second M381 I had, the first was blurry and the lens seemed to stick so Best Buy gave me a replacement. It's a nice little camera and seems to take good pictures. My problem is that I can't get them to download to my PC, I'm running XP and re-installed the easy share software twice. I know that I can buy a card reader to download them, but it should work without me having to spend extra money. I never had this problem with my Canon. It's very frustrating and would make me think twice about purchasing another Kodak camera.

2.0 out of 5

What happened to Kodak (Joe Bellizia — 03/19/2010)

What happened to Kodak when they made a decent camera that shot great pictures right out of the box. I bought this to replace a Kodak V550 and expected to get the same quality as I did 4 years earlier and I got a camera that I cannot depend on to take a clear picture, especially in lower light situations, which is usually more of the time than not! I am disappointed, so disappointed I went on ebay and bought a used V550! Anybody want a deal on a slightly used M381? Please Kodak, get your @#$% together. Oh yes, I bought it on line from Kodak and paid way too much, not a smart purchase. Two weeks later it was on sale for 1/3 off at Best Buy, when I contacted them, they said sorry we don't match price.

5.0 out of 5

The best camera Ever!! (LEandro Oliveira — 01/29/2010)

I just got this camera and I must say It is the best camera I've ever had. The pictures are very clear and with hight quality, even in low light places... It worth paying for it! I strongly recommend!!! HugZ

5.0 out of 5

Outstanding Camera (josh mulholland — 01/05/2010)

I got this camera as a present for christmas from my parents. And i must say , this is an outstanding camera. 12megapixel , 5x Optical zoom , and a great 3.0''/7.6 cm LCD screen. This camera has a PHENOMENAL zoom with a great quality picture. Perfect for any type of picture taking. You can take it anywhere with you as it fits in you're pocket.

5.0 out of 5

Outstanding Camera (josh mulholland — 01/06/2010)

5.0 out of 5

Outstanding Camera (josh mulholland — 01/03/2010)

3.0 out of 5

Very poor manual (Larry Katz — 12/30/2009)

It took almost a week for me to set up the camera to use it. The manual was absolutely worthless. Had to consult camera experts. Now that I am set up, I find the camera easy to use and quite satisfactory for my needs.

5.0 out of 5

Best!!! (Yvette — 12/30/2009)

This camera ia amazing it takes great pictures my photagraphy teacher is very pleased with it it desearves a A+

4.0 out of 5

kodak m381 (Roberto Cenci — 11/15/2009)

Little price for a good camera! I recommend it.

5.0 out of 5

kodak m 381 (sam butler — 09/03/2009)

I have been shooting pictures for over thirty years as a professional Photographer and have found this to be an excellent point and shoot. The features and mechanics make this a very remarkable camera. Most prople are unaware that this is the company that makes the image sensors for most digital cameras and has an exclusive manlor with NASA/LRO. I have found their customer support to be very good over the years. I would highly recommend this camera. I will email photos free to anyone who wants to see them.

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Kodak M381

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Editor's Review

Specifications

Shop for M381 Accessories

Kodak M381 Comments & Questions (write your own!)

Kodak M381 Reviews

Kodak M381 Reviews by Digital Camera-HQ Users