dx 7440 will not zoom

new to this forum
i have a kodak easyshare dx7440 and my wife has a cx7300
my problem is with the 7440 all works fine but when zooming it will zoom a little bit but then shuts the camera down no low batt indicated and have tried my second batt same thing when the camera shuts down the lens retracts as is normal and if you turn the switch to off and back on it comes right back the camera has never been dropped and was used in a slight rain once but kept as dry as possable that was approx 5 months ago and the problem started yesterday any help would be appreciated the camera is out of warranty just wondering if anyone else has encountered this
thank you