I think most of us want a camera that focuses quickly and tracks subjects in continuous AF mode. The E-P1 doesn’t. I would also like for Live View to function without lag. Put anything but the fastest of SD cards in the camera and some of the Art Modes are practically unusable for all but stationary subjects. Even the the lag you get while framing your shot is enough to drive you mad. Sorry if that offends you as someone who owns an official forum for the E-P1, but that doesn’t pass muster for me. And, I’m not going to give it a pass and recommend it to Photography Bay readers just because I can “make it work.”

I give much bigger kudos Panasonic with the GH1. Its overall performance, autofocus and video capture is much more satisfying than the E-P1.

Additionally, if you think the E-P1 produces images “that are even far better than the 5D Mark II,” then we clearly operate on different standards for product performance and you will likely not agree with anything that I have to say and I can understand why you discredit this review.

I have been waiting years for something like the E-P1 to come along. Something affordable, compact and versatile. There is no doubt the E-P1 is not perfect, but it is the only camera that ticks all the boxes that are relevant to me. I have an absolute hoot using it with a collection of old Olympus OM lenses and even the Schneider 40mm f/1.9 from my Robot Star.

The E-P1 is a revelation. A small package of photographic joy.

And why is that I find it so remarkable: The ability to use legacy glass. I have a M42 adapter, OM adapter, a Leica M mount adapter, and a C mount (Bolex 16mm film adapter). When you pair this camera with something like a Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.4 lens, the images are stunning. You can get cheap 50mm f/1.8 M42 lens at the flea market for $5. I just ordered a Cosmicar 12.5mm film lens off ebay. Ive seen Vimeo videos and Flickr shots and they are quite truly stunning. This is why so many people who can’t afford Leica M8.2 are salivating. My Cosmicar lens (16mm C Mount matches the 4/3 sensor so I don’t need to worry about crop 1.3,1.5,2x crop ratio) was $10. Where can you buy a prime lens for $10. Heck, I’ve seen people retrofit a Pentax 110 lens on a e-p1 ( & Panasonic G1/GH1). I am so sold on micro 4/3 now that I am looking for a second camera body (possibly panasonic).

As for AF, who cares. Manual focus is a pleasure on this camera. Hit the info button a few times and you will get the rifle’s cross-hair. That thing is amazing, it helps you with composition by aligning marks via symmetry. The 7X manual focus assist is fast. I focus faster manually than I do with other cameras.

In all, with this camera, I have fallen back in love with photography. Researching what lens work and what doesn’t. It is so refreshing to manually use a manual aperture ring w/ legacy glass. The best camera out there is the camera that makes you feel comfortable to use. Judging from the tweets, blogs, forums, this camera has it.

It looks like your iso measurements are corrupted by poor focusing !

I’m glad you like the camera and appreciate the points you’ve made as to why it works for you. I disagree with your suggestion that a Canon Rebel series or Nikon D5000 feels like it will break when you squeeze on it though. Additionally, I don’t find the E-P1 to be all that smaller than the entry-level DSLRs you mention. It’s a bit of a stretch to call the E-P1 a pocket-cam.