I've decided to wrap up this review diary with a final post. I'll continue to write on the topic of micro four thirds, lens mounts, etc – but this will be the last entry specifically dedicated to the camera in a review style.

So given that, here are my final thoughts on the E-P1 that I'd like to leave you with:

- The Micro Four Thirds format has delivered on its promise. Smaller cameras in the shape of DSLR's does not fulfill the promise of a shutterless, large sensor camera. Creative yet classical body designs which mimic the rangefinders of old are where Olympus and Panasonic can win over consumers and enthusiasts alike. The E-P1 is the first camera to deliver on that goal and from a design and aesthetic point of view, it absolutely nails it. While it's still larger than a compact camera, the difference (particularly when mated with fast / pancake style primes) is great enough for this to be a carry anywhere photographic tool. 

- Image quality. Olympus (micro four thirs) is now on par with the rest of the entry DSLR industry. There is little to no difference in image quality and ISO performance when compared to the other entry level cameras from Canon and Nikon.

- Features. This is a camera loaded with features and customization. From Image Stabilisation to in camera art filters to the strong degree of customization to HD video, there are a lot of tools loaded into a small body.

- Extreme lens adaptability. While the micro four thirds standard does not yet support a large range of native AF lenses (particularly lacking are the fast primes), the camera is extremely adaptable to other formats. In fact, this was perhaps the greatest find for me. The unique size / design of the micro four thids format makes it a supremely adaptable camera system. My favourite combination thus far has been C mount lenses. More on this here. 

- Shortcomings. There were a number of things that Olympus could have done better. Most people who have read much about this camera already know what they are – AF performance (which is on par with compact cameras but not DSLR's), the screen (which while very viewable outdoors could have been higher resolution) and the control setup (which gets confusing once you get deeper into the settings). Having the option for an optical viewfinder would have been extremely powerful too. I leave out an in body flash here which I consider largely a waste of time as far as taking good pictures goes.

Olympus got more than enough right with the E-P1 to legitimize the micro four thirds standard and sell a lot of bodies. It could have been better however and I have no doubt that an E-P2, if it addresses some or all of the shortcomings, will be even better. The upcoming Panasonic GF1 has now entered the arena too which is only a good thing for consumers and will address some of the issues such as the lack of a viewfinder and what will likely be much better AF performance. 

So how do I conclude my rating? Well, I guess there are two ways to answer this. You can decide which question is more relevant / importnat to you:

- Would I recommend it? 
This was actually the tougher question to answer. A friend asked me the other day which camera he should buy (out of the entry level DSLR's) and I procrastinated for some time. The decision depends on so much and the E-P1 delivers so well in some areas, but not in others. In the end, given what he wanted, I ended up recommending an entry level Canon / Nikon over the E-P1. The AF lens choices, particularly the fast primes, are not there yet for some of the important photographic uses that he was after. That coupled with some of the shortcomings of the E-P1 (e.g. AF) probably means he'd get more out of a standard DSLR. He's also less likely to invest in any one particular system and for what he needs a DSLR for (children's portraits), it's hard to beat a Canon / Nikon + 50mm f/1.8.

Now, conversely, an experienced photographer also asked me the same week if I recommend the camera … this person in general had more developed skills and he had a greater likelihood to invest in the system over the long term. My answer here was an emphatic yes (for reasons why, see the next question "Do I use the camera"). 

Interestingly, assuming the upcoming Panasonic GF1 delivers on its promise of better AF, etc – it may end up being a better choice for the entry level crowd. I'd certainly liked to have had it as an option when making a recommendation to my friend as I have a strong feeling my answer may have been different. I'll see if I can get hold of one in the future (and if anyone wants to send me one to review, I'll be more than happy to oblige).

So do I recommend the camera? It depends whose asking. Instead of continuing this line of thought, I'll answer it another way:

[Edit - just to be clear, while the above two examples are differentiated by experience of the photographer concerned, that shouldn't be taken as the pivot point for a recommendation.. I'd strongly recommend the E-P1 to a beginner if their requirements aligned with what the camera excels in. As you probably know, unless a camera nails every single feature, recommendations are notoriously personal and hard to generalise]

- Do I use the camera? 
The answer to this is much easier – and it's a big yes. I still use my Canon 5D Mk II when I'm doing something where I absolutely have to guarantee image quality and I use my film bodies when I'm doing something very creative (e.g. Hasselblad 500 C/M). For everything else though, the E-P1 is the camera I bring and I expect to take far more pictures than I ever would with either a compact camera or DSLR. The cool / disarming design, the sheer portability, and the effect from the C mount lenses I enjoy so much, will ensure that so long as Panasonic / Olympus keep moving the standard forwards, I'Il continue to commit to the micro four thirds format. The E-P1 is a great photographic tool and having learned to work around its shortcomings, I'm totally hooked. Now I have the lenses to take advantage of the larger sensor (when compared to compacts), I fully expect to be able to better images, more often with the E-P1. I can't put it simpler than that.  

Time will tell but I have a sneaking suspicion that as good as the E-P1 is, the real winner may not have been the camera but the micro four thirds format. I've certainly put my money where my mouth is, given I've sold half my Canon gear to fund my adventures into this space. One month in, I'm excited about the E-P1, I'm excited for the format and I'm excited about photographers who now have a very different choice than before.

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