Kodak EasyShare v550 problem

[Miller]

My friend gave me her camera to take a look at, since she was having a problem with it. It's a (fairly new-looking) Kodak EasyShare v550.

The problem is, and it's difficult to explain, but when I both review and preview pictures using the display on the camera (not the viewfinder), the image looks washed out, in a way. The previews/reviews are noisy, the color is washed out, and, in the best description I can give, it seems like there aren't smooth transitions between colors but almost like a "terrain map" of sorts, with differences in lighting, hue, etc. visible along big "outlines" of color, or something like that. I'll try to find something that represents exactly what I'm seeing if people still aren't sure of what I'm talking about.

The images look fine when uploaded to my computer. It's clearly either an option or problem within the camera. I've explored the settings, but none of them fix it, although my friend says she's had this problem and that it fixed itself once, somehow, but now it's back.

Is this a problem with the camera, or a setting or something that I can change? The camera has been stored at room temperature, it's not a result of extreme cold or heat.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. My friend is leaving for Italy on Friday, so I'm trying to get an answer as soon as possible. Thanks again.

 

[Travolta]

hate to say it, but it sounds like the camera is about to die. my parents had a kodak camera that did the exact same thing just before it didn't work anymore. i'd try to pick up a new camera before your friend goes on her trip, then contact kodak and see what they say.

 

[Miller]

Ah, ok. I may try to give Kodak customer support or something a call tomorrow to see what's up; she may be out of luck if it really is about to die, for the moment at least, since I don't know where she got the camera or if she's got any kind of warranty left for it.

Thanks for the help.