E-P3 thumb wheel v. E-PL3

I have a GF1, and am considering getting an Oly body -- rather than wait for the potentially mythical pro m4/3 body.

In trying to decide between the E-P3 and E-PL3, the only thing holding me back from the latter is the thumb wheel. The flash, size difference, touch screen, etc. don't make much of a difference to me.

For people that have the E-P3 how useful do you find the thumb wheel. For people that may have gone from a GF1 to a E-PL3 how difficult was the transition without the thumb wheel.

Thanks in advance.

--
Brian. Too much stuff; not enough stuff.