The last two nights my camera has switched of after about 3 hours. The video recorded for 8 seconds then stopped. I've been using it for a month. The batteries didn't look dead. Worked fine till now

SOURCE: Canon A95 gone dead

I ain't so lucky I'm in the UK too!!!! Generally speaking the cost pf packing, shipping repair, at any level is well on the way to the price of the next more recent higher specification device. Judging by the way the Megapixels go up by the week seemingly, settling for a replacement camera is usually the best option. I had a cheap[old] Fuji come my way because it had gone blurred and blue - sure sign of a CCD failure as this was at some time the subject of a recall for the problem I checked out Fuji Their response was to say no longer repaired but has a 1/3 off a new camera when I quoted a reference number. That seems to be the way to go.

SOURCE: Battery Dont Charge

jpierre's solution (in another thread) was right on the money. Touch the positive (+)end of the 9v battery to the positive (+) end of the camera battery.Leave them touching for a few seconds (10 seconds should be more thansufficient). Seems these lithium-ion batteries are subject to a'digital memory.' Subjecting it to a volt surge almost three timeshigher seems to clear it.

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

In short, it works like a charm.

SOURCE: Even with new batteries and they go dead before I take 3 pictures

Yes, there is definitely a fault with your camera.  You should be able to return it for a replacement.  I wouldn't experiment too much with batteries in this camera. batteries discharging this quickly are likely to overheat, causing unmentionable catastrophe.

SOURCE: I have a Kodak M1033 camera that I bought just over 6 months ago. I took it on holiday it worked fine and then suddenly it switched off. Since then it only powers up for about 5 seconds, shows a unfoc

I'm not sure why this works for me, but I think it's worth a try:

1) First, take your SD card out of the camera.

2) Then turn on your camera and let it turn itself off.

3) Read the next step first and be ready to press the shutter release button (take a picture) right after the LCD screen turns on

4) With the camera lens pointed down towards the floor (aim down), turn on the camera. At this point the LCD screen should not be blurry anymore. Immediately press the shutter release after confirming that the LCD is not blurry. If the camera stays on and you can review the picture (most likely of your feet), then you are almost done.

5) Turn off the camera and re-insert your SD card.

5) This may not be a permanent fix, but point the camera lens downward whenever you turn on the camera. It should work normally if you do this. Mine worked normally (meaning I don't have to point it downward when I turn it on) after doing this several times. Your results may vary.

SOURCE: 1999 bmw 528i replaced battery and alternator

Replace your battery when its being tested there not testing it under a heavy enough load. A battery could have a dead cell in it and still show good on the charger. I've had that problem a few times.