So what?

No discussion then?

If someone else sums up something better than I can, then what more do you want?

Well the first page was had some good reading.

I have never been of the opinion that Olympus lenses are overpriced. For example the Olympus 9-18mm zoom is not only an excellent lens, it compares well with my far more expensive 10-24mm Nikkor zoom which covers the same range.

I have some reservations on Panasonic's lens prices but even there, good value exists in the 45-200 zoom (although I don't particularly like the lens myself).

Both companies get involved in price gouging, especially with new product. The introductory prices of the E-P1 were steep for what you got. The E-PL2 on the other hand is excellent value. Again, no news here as Nikon do the same, e.g. the D7000.

I have been using comparisions to Nikon as an example as I have a Nikon system myself. I think these issues are fairly common as modern business practices require a quick return on investment as product life is very short. Gone are they days when you can produce a camera and keep it in production with next to no change for 10 years. As you go down the photographic 'food chain', the need to bring forward new kit just to stay competitive increases.

The main criticism I have with Olympus (and Panasonic) is that MFT has been a haphazard introduction of a format with a patchy set of lenses and other development.

Also Four Thirds itself is dead. The latest Olympus sourced rumour that it will bring out another E-xx and E-x camera is madness. It won't bring new customers to the product. They are going to Canon or Nikon for dSLRs.

The sooner Olympus and Panasonic get thieir maketing acts together and fill the gaps in the MFT line the better. Sensor performance is a generation or two behind what you get from Sony (and hence Nikon) and Canon. AF peformance in Olympus MFT cameras also needs to be properly addressed.

I don't mind paying a higher price for something smaller. I know the low volumes of kit from Olympus and Panasonic mean they will never be competitive with Canon and Nikon.

What I do mind is inappropriate pricing, illogical pricing, duplicated lines and huge gaps in product. I wan't a semi-pro MFT camera (the marking department would call it a "professional" camera) and good quality lenses that don't require electronic trickery to make acceptable.