The FE-170 features a 3x optical Olympus zoom lens with a 38mm-114mm (35mm equivalent) focal length and a maximum aperture of f3.1-f/5.9. This is an all-glass lens constructed of 6 lenses in 5 groups.

When powered down the lens retract inside of the body and is protected by an automatic lens barrier.

The contrast detection autofocus system has a range of 23.6" (0.6m) - infinity in normal mode. The Macro mode coverage is from 3.9" ” (0.1m) – infinity and Super Macro focuses as close as 2" (5cm).

The built-in speedlight has modes for: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Fill-in and Off. The maximum working range in wide angle is 0.7 ft. (0.2m) – 13.1 ft. (4.0m) at wide angle and 2.0 ft. (0.6m) – 6.9 ft. (2.1m) in telephoto.

Controls on the back: Top center is the red camera button for Record mode and the green arrow button for Playback mode. Next are the Zoom lens controls, which also serve as the Magnify and Index options in playback mode. The Mode Dial has positions for: Auto, Movie, GUIDE, SCeNe, Night portrait, Landscape, Portrait, and Blur reduction mode (uses Digital Image Stabilization.) The 4-way controller is for navigating menus, changing settings and selecting playback images. Press "up" to set DPOF settings in Playback mode, press "left" for macro focus, press "down" for the self-timer and press "right" to change flash modes. The MENU button calls up and dismisses the menu system, pressing the OK button in the center of the 4way accepts selections. The Delete button is used to erase images in playback mode.

Located on top are the Power and Shutter release buttons.

On the right side are the I/O ports: One handles USB 2.0 (full speed, not high speed) data, the other Audio/Video output (NTSC/PAL selectable).

The FE-170 stores its data with an internal memory of approx. 10MB and on xD-Picture Cards. xD cards are currently available up to 2GB in capacity.

The FE-170 is powered by a pair of AA batteries. Olympus supplies 2 AA Alkaline batteries in the box, but we always recommend NiMH rechargeable batteries both for their power and cost effectiveness.