Sabre - with the current cameras, I'd go for the Minolta over the Fuji. The Dimage 7_ series has better resolution (the Fuji has a larger stated maximum resolution, but it's an interpolated image - even if it is a diff kind of interpolation), greater ISO range, wider zoom, closer normal focus distance (although the Fuji's have a much closer macro focus distance) and a bulb-mode for timed exposures (which I believe the Fuji doesn't have). S7000 looks like a very nice camera. Was reading about it on Tuesday when they announced it. With a suggested price of $800, 6.3-megapixel array, better lens coverage and more options it looks to be one of the better higher end non-DSLRs that'll be out. And at about the cost of the 7hi too I think, like the EOS 10D, it's going to shake up the consumer digital camera price market. Wow ... 6.3MP for Suggest $800 - wonder what street price will be? -=>Donald