Minolta digital camera Dimage S404 battery drain

I have a Minolta Dimage S404 I bought new in October 2002. The camera has started to drain batteries if they are left in the camera overnight,so when you go to use it again the batteries are dead. After reviewing a few online auctions,it is clear that this is a common problem with this model (and model S414). A few honest people state their camera has the same problem. It makes me wonder if the others are just not telling us and just trying to unload a defective product.

Minolta does not service their own cameras anymore. It is done by Sony now. Sony has quoted me a fixed repair cost of $181.00.This camera was $500.00 new. With depreciation and the now lower cost of a comparible camera,I don't think many owners of this camera will pay to have them repaired. I think Minolta should cover repairs for this and not hand them off to Sony.This was a popular camera when it came out. I would like to know how many other consumers have the same problem with this product.

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I have the same camera purchased in March of '03. The salesman told me that this would eat batteries due to the larger display. But I wanted the larger display so I bought it! Since then, batteries have gone up in mAh and they do a better job at lasting longer. I currently use 2500 mAh NiMH.

My problem now is that the camera will only work with an AC adapter and not on batteries!