How long does a Lithium battery last?

[funhouse8]

I was starting to have trouble with my Kodak easyshare camera. I would snap a picture and it won't work. :confused3
Sometimes the camera would just shut off. I reformatted the memory card and this seemed to work for a little while then it started again. My DH didn't think it was the battery because I can turn the camera off and back on and it will work for a short while. Someone told me that lithium batteries only have a life span of 4-5 years. If this is the case I might just need a new battery. Meanwhile I bought myself a new cannon but would love to give my old camera to my youngest. Do you think I should bring it to a camera shop or would you just try changing the battery? Thanks for looking, Gina

[cosine4]

Does it work better if the flash is turned off? Just because it will turn on and function sometimes does not mean that it isn't the battery. The voltage produced by a battery is dependant upon the current that is being drawn (especially at the lower end of the charge). When the camera is first turned on the voltage may be high enough to run the camera, but the voltage will quickly drop with current causing the camera to turn off.