I put in new batteries...the camera works fine for four or five pictures and then the battery message comes on that I need new batteries. Sometimes that message comes on before I even get to take a picture. I have inserted 4 sets of new batteries....it's like the batteries are draining instantly.

Hello ksmith1171,
Please be sure that you use 2 fresh AAA batteries. Do not mix a new and used battery or use different battery types as this can cause the batteries to overheat.

Your camera uses a proprietary Sony InfoLithium battery which I presume you are using. The message normally only comes up when using non-genuine batteries though the chip in genuine batteries sometimes gets corrupted. Four years is a fair lifespan for a rechargeable lithium cell so even without any faults you may already have noticed that the battery needs recharging more frequently.

Check that the battery contacts are bright and clean, and use a torch to look inside the battery chamber to check that the camera contacts are intact and clean. If all checks out then borrow or buy a replacement battery. If you buy a battery then you'll have to try and resell it if the camera proves to be at fault.

If the ultimate conclusion is that the camera is faulty, then it's cheaper to just replace it rather than repair. It was only designed for a minimum five year lifespan, so if it's failed prematurely you've been a bit unlucky. It's worth complaining to Sony anyway, but as they'll want to inspect the camera and will charge you for shipping with no guarantee of a favourable outcome you may decide that you'll just be gambling more money which could go towards a replacement camera.

Yes. Like all rechargeable batteries they don't last forever and four years is longer than I'd expect.

Replace them with new batteries. You need a 3v lithium ion CR-V3 and if you're in the UK I highly recommend buying them from the Small Battery Company, but they are widely available. Avoid generic "no-name" brands as good quality examples are not very expensive.

Please rate my answer if I have answered your question satisfactorily.

Are you using a memory card or just the internal memory of the camera?

the problem for the camera turning off or acting weird is the batteries. you need Alkalyne Batteries

Chances are that the problem is corroded battery contacts inside the camera. Remove the batteries and clean the inside contacts with a fine wire brush, steel wool, or fine sandpaper. Remove any residue that's in the camera from the cleaning, then reinstall your batteries. Hopefully this will cure the problem and get the camera back up and working the way it should.

If that doesn't do the trick, you might want to try your luck with the Kodak Troubleshooting guide at:

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=10&pq-locale=en_US

I had a smiler problem with Alkali batteries. Thereafter I started using rechargeable batteries and also changed the setting to Ni-MH. Its working fine now.

First of all, you should know that when someone advises you to buy more stuff because of a problem you have, it's very possible they're ripping you off! It's a disgrace that they took advantage of you and sold you all that stuff..

Now, to your problem..

First of all, are you absolutely sure that the camera autofocuses properly? That would be the first thing to check. To make sure, turn the focus selector (on the lens) from auto to manual, try to focus manually (it doesn't matter if it's not 100% accurate) and press the button.

If that's not the case, try other modes. Try the camera in (M)anual mode, for instance. Also, just in case, try to clean (with a dry fabric) the battery contacts and also the battery contacts of the camera.

I had the same problem with a fujifilm finepix... It didn't take pictures with 2 sony batteries, just turned off after pressing the shutter. Then I tried 2 panasonic batteries and it worked fine....

My solution: try panasonic rechargeable.

I figured out the problem. My AA battery recharger was not making good contact, so although it said the batteries were recharged, this was not the case. After fixing this and getting full recharges, the problem went away.