Kodak EasyShare Z612

Pros: It was a wonderful little machine and the Schneider lens did its name justice, yielding crystal clean and sharp images.
Not too difficult to use the controls etc.

Cons: All fine until, after about a year's use, the lens, when starting the camera, simply jams and the system shuts down
End of dreadful story and seemingly the end of a camera.
No accidental bump or anything to precipitate the failure.
Just an annoyance.

Summary: Being in Africa for a photo Safari, one can image the disappointment when the Canon G2 failed after falling to the ground. We replaced the thing with the Kodak Z612.
Took a while to understand and actually use the various choice options. Soon, though, the superb definition of the images became evident and Schneider did its good name justice. The photos were crisp and sharp and the loss of the Canon G2 was forgotten.
A year or so later and suddenly, when switching the camera on, the lens would not start to protrude, come out as it is meant to when first activating the camera's function. The lens simply jammed!!
it might try to come forward by a millimeter, would then retract and stop any further motion and shut down the unit, period!
And that's how it still is and any
prognoses for repairs sound disappointing, to say the least.
Such a failure, whether mechanical or electronic, is unacceptable and terribly disappointing and the name
Kodak has been removed from any possible re-purchase consideration.
What to do?
For the relatively short time the camera was used before it failed, it turns out to have been a waste of money.
May others fare better.