EP1 seems to have almost everything of the small size exchangeable lens camera even video and stereo sound recording. Lacking is a properly functioning viewfinder system without too much encumbrance, a plug for external microphone and/or external flash and perhaps some weather sealing. None of the others seem to have that and at the same time same or better image quality, dynamic range, high iso performance and wieght/size advantage. EP1 also have in-body IS and can thus compete with any of the others with respect to using SLR-manually focusing lenses such as Leica, Voigtländer and Zeiss-M.mount lenses as well as Leica-R, Zeiss-Contax, Olympus Zuiko and old Pen-lenses once adapters for all are available. This gives you a very operational and versatile tool, with little encumbrance. Its design is magnificent. I am, however, still waiting to see what Olympus may make as a "high-end" M43rds model, which they have - more or less - declared to be in the pipeline.

I agree with Christian completely. In particular for those of us who have 4/3rds glass and OM glass to use. I got to try the EP1 out recently and it will be replacing my Oly Stylus Tough 8000 as my everyday drag around, beat on camera.

Besides I'm brand loyal to Oly - just doesn't seem like the same camera if it has another name on it. :>)

i wanted to E-P1 but after reviews of its nonchalant AF, low res LCD, 'messy' menu and lack of flash, I opted for the GF-1 instead;

i prefer the RF form factor to the SLR clone of the other Gs which I find ugly;

the GF-1 really delivers and is exactly what i expected (except perhaps the lack of in body IS); since i don't intend to use a zoom on this body that missing feature is not all bad;

that 20mm lens is a gem and should produce most of my output; i look forward to acquiring the 14mm and 45mm and this would complete the 'system' ; it should serve me exactly like the Contax G1 / G2 did for me in the past ;

the zooms even though versatile are not bright enough for my liking and don't look right on this body; i could still use the MA1 adapter with the current 4/3rd zooms i have ;

a few niggles i have about the GF-1 is the lack of dedicated exposure adjustment button, a feature i use very often; and the MA1 would not allow for AF on the Zuiko 50mm f2 macro lens ; other than that a fine and dandy camera which would accompany me anywhere;

i can see from now on the L1 and E1 are being understandably quite jealous ...

i can only foresee a bright future for micro 4/3rd ....all of a sudden the 4/3rd system looks like giants ... cheers ;-))

I'll second DeeVee

A camera that will suit me much better than the EP1 - I just can't live with slow AF, an own-goal by Olympus in my opinion.

And the primes look spot on focal length wise

cheers

Andy

I agree with deevee and Andy. The GF1 with the 20mm 1.7 looks very promising to me. I think the 'pro' successor to the EP1 may be worth waiting for - at least for a look but the GF1 & 20 mm 1.7 combo looks like the first sweet little mFT combo. I too opted for the GF1 in the poll. I like the look of the EP1 better but not the specs.

The E-P1 suits a thoughtful, deliberate style which is very different from what a capable DSLR is good at. The slower focus makes you think more before you shoot. I like the GF1 as well, but I'm basically a JPEG shooter and I like the Oly attitude to processing better than Panasonic's. E-3 is still my main camera, but the E-P1 gets it fair share too.

Flat out simple. The focus is NOT slow. This was fixed (if ever a real problem). Stop "reading" reviews and start trying for yourself. I bought one. Its updated to the latest firmware. Fast focus. That's all there is to it. Very cool and stylish camera. Great pics. Has a 1980s SLR feel to it, although it resembles a rangefinder. Very portable. I do not hesitate to carry this everywhere. As for my E510... I left it at home more times than not because of bulk. Lack of a viewfinder has become meaningless. Again, try for yourself.

I will admit that I haven't used any of the Panasonic cameras (I really like the internal IS) and I was also skeptical of the EP1 until I tried it at the store. Now that I've used the EP1 for a couple of months, I love it. Maybe the focus isn't fast enough for auto races or birds in flight, but for most shots, its fine. It does a great job with the 9-18mm and though it has difficulty in macro shots with the 50mm, it does fine as a med. telephoto. The 14-42 kit lens produces nice sharp photos even though I wish it were a bit faster. Overall, it has a few weak points, but I still love it and carry it with me all the time. (a long time ago I had a Nikon F SLR and a Leica M-3 rangefinder - both took great photos, but somehow I always had the M-3 with me when I needed it and the photos with the 50mm f2 Summicron were great.) The MP1 has a similar purpose and feel.

After some extensive use:

Surprising find: single point AF can be resized and moved around; a neat feature for precise focusing; ditto with AF+MF feature which allows for micro adjustment, especially with macros

LCD shooting under bright sun is guess work; will need EVF for these circumstances; on the other hand, it's much easier shooting with it under low light as it acts like the huge Hasselblad ground glass of old

Sensor tends to overexpose when shooting wide open at f1.7 under bright conditions

LCD review is usually brighter and sharper than real images; need to turn down brightness and magnify in review to verify

Battery lasts a long time: I shot more than 300 shots + review and it's still going

High ISO usable up to 800; a stretch at 1600 if needed; forget about 3200

All fixed focal lenses have same filter size (46mm) : bravo Pana, well thought out

Exposure compensation is menu driven: a bummer ...arrgh (a wish for a for next gen for sure)

Auto WB could be on the yellowish side when shooting indoors

Body could be slippery so use a wrist strap for security

Live histogram is set in center of LCD; could have been nice to be able to move it around

Cheers,

one more thing i have to add is shutter noise; don't expect a P+S quiet sound; it has a nice metallic sound to it but is not quiet by any means; the E1 shutter is even quieter imho, and that includes the mirror slap noise! Those who shoot candid street and/or operas may be a little bummed :-((

It's likely that the announcement of the EP-2 is coming at the end of October, and Olympus has indicated another micro offering by year end.

Frankly, for me, it would be short sighted to purchase any one of the four existing micro cameras with this potential for the culmination of all of the best features of the four existing combined in a new EP-2.

If the EP-2 does not meet my expectations, then micro 4/3rds is not for me in any of the current M4/3 cameras.

I will, instead, buy the e620 or it's replacement and stay with 4/3, considering that the e620 is about the size of the e-420 and only slightly larger than the G1.

I found out the exposure compensation can be adjusted through pressing down on the thumb dial; pretty neat and easy to do; kudos to Panasonic for this implementation; (just need to document it better) ...it's all good, no more fumbling through the quick menu ...the more I use the Gf1 the more I like it .. cheers ;-))

The Panasonic GF1 with the LUMIX1:1.7/20 ASPH lens reminds me so much of my LEICA M2 with the SUMMICRON-M 50MM f/2 that I used for Street Photography in Paris from 1965 through 1967. Available light was challenging because no stabilization nor high ISO was available. I am looking forward to Street Photography with the GF1.

I'd probably opt for the G1 at present. Basically a money decision and get some experience with the mount and lenses.

My biggest reason. The price on the most recent models is high for value received, and there is just too much activity in this arena. There are camera's being developed. development from Oly and Panasonic is rapic, and then the talk of the Fuji sensor, which could be a real exciting move. I can't help but imagine that Oly/Pana are going to press ahead with their lead in the "no mirror box" camera line.

I will wait until after year end.. or Spring to see what the market looks like then.

Otherwise, none of the later models after the G1 make me a buyer. The G1 has not lost the race in my book and the viewfinder setup there wins the race for me, of the four listed for consideration. Too spendy for less camera on the two newest additions.

The G1 looks prettier, and I really fancy the idea of the 20mm with it, but I am keen to stay with Olympus as well. In addition, Panasonic/Leica have gone the way of allowing distortion in their lenses, it appears, to be corrected in firmware (JPG output) or post-processing (RAW). I have a LX3 with that problem – a problem with my computer. I use a Mac with iPhoto and Aperture, for the most part, and there is no RAW conversion available for those applications. I should have to buy LightRoom or PSCS4 to use ACR which is capable of converting those RAW files. And I gather that the Pansonic m4/3 cameras have the same problem.