Fujifilm's 2010 superzoom bridge — 12MP behind a 15x 28-420mm equivalent zoom, AA-powered.
The Fujifilm FinePix S1730 was a bridge-style superzoom released in 2010 within Fuji's entry-level FinePix S line. It shared its body and core specification with the FinePix S1600 and the US-market S1770, differing mainly by regional channel rather than by feature. It was aimed at buyers who wanted SLR-style handling and a long zoom without the cost of interchangeable lenses.
The S1730 used a 1/2.3-inch CCD of 12.2 effective megapixels with a 15x optical zoom covering a 28-420mm equivalent range at f/3.1-5.6. It carried a 3.0-inch LCD of about 230,000 dots and a 0.2-inch electronic viewfinder of around 200,000 dots. Video topped out at 1280x720 at 30 frames per second, stabilisation was CCD-shift, and the camera ran on four AA batteries.
It suited casual travel and daylight general photography where zoom reach mattered more than low-light quality. The bulky grip and viewfinder made it feel like a small SLR, and AA power meant easy replacements on the road. The CCD sensor and modest maximum apertures limited high-ISO results, and autofocus slowed noticeably at the long end of the zoom.
On the used market, check the extending zoom barrel for grit or grinding and inspect the LCD and EVF for dead pixels. The AA battery-door hinge is a known Fuji bridge weak point, so confirm it latches firmly, and look for sensor dust in bright even shots. Prices are low, so condition drives value; the 18x S2500HD is a step up, and the older S1500 a cheaper step down.