I have a kodak Z712IS, that is less than a year old and have taken less than 200 pics with it. when I turn it on the view screen is black. can see taken pics on review though. can only see subject of pic thru view finder when takining photo. not a battery problem. whuts up?

Unfortunately, even lightly dropped can cause problems if it lands just the right way. For instance, at my work, I have dropped my smart phone numerous times, including onto bare pavement and never a problem. Another guy at work, knocks his off a 12" patio table and the screen shatters. It could be as simple as a knocked loose connector inside.

First press the DISP or DISPLAY button to see if that corrects the problem. If not, a stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open).
To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

I don't have a solution, but I have the same problem. I found one posting elsewhere that said that this was a "common" problem. That person's camera was under warranty. Mine isn't, but it's less than 2 years old.

First of all we need to determine if its a problem with the viewfinder or the sensor. Are you able to view the pics that were previously taken?

Sai.

The problem is with the software in the camera! So take your camera to the nearby service center and do a format of your camera! That will fix your problem. Also check whether there is any problem in ur LCD screen!

It is not possible to buy a viewing screen for KODAK cameras.
There is no firmmware update available online.

An Out of Warranty repair for this model for this fault is about 88 pounds + shipping. KODAK also offers a Trade up option where you will have the opportunity to trade up to a newer model 25-30% cheaper than the market price.

In order to arrange your repair/Trade up: Contact KODAK:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=14563&pq-locale=en_US&_requestid=3490

the ccd has went bad must be replaced . it will not focus with a bad ccd .

DEB, HAVE YOU TRIED A NEW BATTERY? JUST WONDERING BECAUSE I HAD PROBLEMS WITH A KODAK Z712is HAVING THE BATTERIES DIE. IF THIS ISN'T THE CASE, REPLY AND WE WILL WORK ON IT SOME MORE.

There are quite a few of us with symilar problem, but the screen is not completely black: it has some purple or pinkish color when facing light. Old pics and menu can still be viewed. I noticed 4 symilar threads on Canon A95 within the last 5 mins without any search, just looking at the top questions.

It sounds like a bad connection on the ribbon cable of the LCD screen to the camera's motherboard. The fact that when you physically move the camera around and you can get the screen to then work, tells me something is loose inside.

Good luck!

- Jim