Sorry olympus but you lost a loyal customer.

I don't understand what it is that photographers "need" (more likely, "want") which an E-5 and the SHG lenses cannot provide. Even 5 years ago, a Leica R9 + DMR + a couple of lenses for a cool $15,000 or so would be seen as the pinnacle of tools for the photographic artist.

Here we are with a camera body and lenses that far outperform such a setup, is ultra-reliable, weather sealed, fast auto focus, in-body image stabilisation, and ultra-high resolution optics coupled with the sharpest 12MP sensor + image processing ever available.

Why this constant clamouring for "better"? I did me the world of good, ditching digital in 2008 (Canon FF gear), using film only for four years, and then coming into the four thirds system this year. In the meantime, I shot 35mm (Olympus OM-3Ti + 10 amazing lenses), medium format, large format. I continue to shoot film as much, if not more, than digital.

The Olympus Four Thirds system represents the very pinnacle of imaging technology and quality - if the differences between this stuff and a Nikon/Canon bothers you so much as to provide sleepless nights or bitter resentment to the company that produces them, perhaps photography is not the field for you.

I wonder if you will continue to blame the shortcomings of your own vision on your tools? Will you feel the same in, say, 5 years, when Nikon is no longer at their "high" (perhaps Sony will have the superiour system then?)

Many olympus users realise that these are unique and superbly-capable tools that we can use to realise our vision. I am sorry you don't feel the same way. I know that I wouldn't with a plastic Nikon, but our tools are a very personal choice - if the Nikon inspires your creativity, I wish you all the best.