Kodak EasyShare Z1285

Pros: 12MP, nice for well lit landscapes. Price. SDHC. 5x optical

Cons: Horrible in low light. Video is useless due to camera noise, flashes, and jitter. Short circuit issues. Macro mode is horrible at best. No view finder.

Summary: This is my third kodak. I still use my z612, but it's too big to carry around most places. Since I loved it, I decided to get a new, smaller, Kodak. The Z1285 looked great on paper- decent MP and sensor, nice 5x optical zoom for such a small, portable, form factor.
I tested it out and was disappointed with the low light photos- even with a flash everything seemed grainy. To be fair, it looks a lot better on the computer than the LCD. Man, that LCD is horrible! But it's hard to know you're focusing properly when the screen sucks.
I took it on vaca to the beach and the included batteries worked for about 150 photos and video. Then the trouble started. I put in some NiMH batteries (high capacity) and I could only take a dozen photos before they died. I assumed it was a battery issue, so I ordered through Kodak's site (using the compatibility chart) and I had the same issue:
I could take a few photos and then turn the camera off. The next time I went to use the camera, it'd turn on, the low battery icon would come on, and then it'd shut itself off. I called tech support and they said to remove the SD card. I did, the fresh batteries said "low battery" but the camera didn't turn off. She said to send it in for repair. Then I read online to tap the side of the camera. With nothing to lose, I did, and when I powered on- no "low battery" icon!! I put a new SD card in- it said low battery. I tapped it again, turned it on, and it's working normal again.
So, considering that, and that I'm not the only person who has come across the same issues, I would NOT recommend that you buy this or any kodak camera. The reports of corrosion and short circuits on the internals should make you look elsewhere! Finally, my sister's boyfriend works in a camera repair place (where you'd send it to for warranty repairs) and says the kodaks are the worst brand. Just another product made in China that's pure garbage, but cheap.
I used to love and recommend Kodak cameras for being easy, cheap, and that take great photos (I've had more than a few published). But this is the end of the line for me. DO NOT BUY!