FujiFilm MX-1700 (FinePix 1700 Zoom)

Opinion: I have a Leica Digilux Zoom version of the MX-1700. The camera takes a good picture. Zoom is quiet and fast. A little barrel distortion at the widest angel.

Opinion: I have the Leica version of the 1700. Purchased on line for $595. Very happy with optional Leica leather case, bundled software, and portability of the camera. Has done a fine job with kids/grandkids photos at Christmas. Construction durable, operation intuitive.

Opinion: The Fuji mx1700 is a *magnificent* little camera. Particularly attractive is its size (nearly the smallest on the market), a 3x zoom (38-114 equivalent), 1.5 megapixel resolution, bright 130,000 pixel lcd, a unique aspherical lens design that beats nearly all others and equals the rest, easy picture preview, an included LiIon battery and charger, and a $450 Internet price. Shooting outdoors in ambient light the images are competitive with the best 2 megapixel cameras in saturation, color accuracy, and lens resolution. And it is faaaast ... with its 100 mhz processor it boots up in a second, it's just a second or two between shots, and equally quick in playing images back.

Now this next statement will no doubt generate controversy, but I am not trying to slam anyone's camera by saying that, in my opinion, it beats the 2.1 megapixel Canon S10 in virtually every important attribute, hands down. And this despite the Canon's price premium of $200-$300 (with charger). I believe this is true even in its image resolution (yes the Fuji has a lower pixel count, but makes up for this with superior lens resolution ... just look at the comparison images on the Imaging Resource site (http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM) Besides this, it does not have the S10's problems--slow shutter speed with flash, and white balance problem. If you love your S10, more power to you and that's as I hope it would be. But if you are just now considering an S10 be sure to look at the mx1700 too.

There will be some that say Fuji's reputation is in film, not in cameras, like Nikon or Canon. To this I say, nuts. Fuji has been building small cameras for years and is a uniquely fine engineering company which produces exquisitely designed, consumer-aware, easy-to-use products. It's the Fuji mx1700 that Leica put its label on. In addition, Fuji cameras, like Fuji film, have a very slightly warm tone that is very pleasing.

Now, I am *not* saying the Canon and Nikon are anythiing but fine cameras (well ... maybe except for the S10, from what I read in the Canon forum); what I am saying is that the Fuji should be carefully considered.

Opinion: I quite agree with most of the opinion of first use, Bill. I have had 1700 for about a month now. It surprises me by taking equally good quality image as myfilm camera minilux by Leica. It took me rather long time to buy my first digital camera as I love the results of scanned image of photo negatives or slides by HP's photosmart scanner, a 3 in 1 scanner. I think I am lucky to choose Fuji as my first digital as the image quality, even after compressed, still compare favorably with my beloved Leica Minilux.