Some of you are wondering whether to wait for the M2 or go buying the M1 right away. I have both models lying next to each other on my table (although this happened quite against all my intentions) so I might help you.
Keep in mind one thing: both models are VERY similar, so don't overestimate what I'm going to write now.
1. slightly different color and more protruding lens
The M1 is silver with a very slight touch to the brown while the M2 looks silver with a touch of rosé. You won't notice until you put the M2 into the cradle because that's still the same as with the M1, ie it doesn't really fit the M2! And because of the longer lens the lens in the cam's upper right (if you look at the front) comes out about 2mm more
2. resolution
The M2 is 2 megapixel while the M1 is 1.2 only. Again, the difference isn't as big as you might think: It's 1600 against 1280 pixels horizontally, so only a increase in 25% in both ways horizontally and vertically.
Pictures taken by the M1 already had a little jaggedness on them because the lens is VERY small and not exactly very good. This means if you look at pictures on your screen at 100% they don't look sharp any more like they do with other cameras. The same is true for the M2. And although the lens and its size remains the same, its deterioating effect on the picture quality doesn't get stronger. So the "resolution per pixel" as I call it stays the same. Positively said you effectively get your 25% improvement resolution.
3. aperture
As I've written in a different thread before the camera optics has remained the same. But to adjust for the larger CCD the focal length had to be increased from 5.x to 7.5mm and thus the aperture came down from f/2.5 to f/3.2 because the lens' aperterue itself stayed the same. This means that the M2 has a considerably "slower" lens. I took a few shots in my room with heavy rain outside, and the timing was 33-50% slower (M2: 1/13 and 1/15 sec againt M1 1/25s or 1/500 against 1/800s). Since shots with flash are always 1/30s with both cameras and slowest sync is 1/8s, those pictures are considerably darker with the M2 for the same reason.
4. Best Shot modes
The M2 has those 6 Best Shot modes that had already been advertized for the M1. They might be fun, but in the end they're just simple ways of something you could do with any photo finishing program. I haven't used them yet except for 6 test shots.
I'm not sure which camera I'd recommend. Of course, 2 MP is better than 1.2 MP. On the other hand, since the Exilim will be a gadget for most of you, you'll probably take most pictures inside your house, in the evening or night, with artificial or even candle light instead of landscape scenaries. So the "slower" lens of the M2 probably will matter a lot. And if you resize to 800x600 and email your photos to your friends at the party, the 0.7 MP are lost anyway. I still can't decide which one to return or sell (now that I was sent back the M1 because the shop says it looks used and they can't sell it any more).
Philotech
Keep in mind one thing: both models are VERY similar, so don't overestimate what I'm going to write now.
1. slightly different color and more protruding lens
The M1 is silver with a very slight touch to the brown while the M2 looks silver with a touch of rosé. You won't notice until you put the M2 into the cradle because that's still the same as with the M1, ie it doesn't really fit the M2! And because of the longer lens the lens in the cam's upper right (if you look at the front) comes out about 2mm more
2. resolution
The M2 is 2 megapixel while the M1 is 1.2 only. Again, the difference isn't as big as you might think: It's 1600 against 1280 pixels horizontally, so only a increase in 25% in both ways horizontally and vertically.
Pictures taken by the M1 already had a little jaggedness on them because the lens is VERY small and not exactly very good. This means if you look at pictures on your screen at 100% they don't look sharp any more like they do with other cameras. The same is true for the M2. And although the lens and its size remains the same, its deterioating effect on the picture quality doesn't get stronger. So the "resolution per pixel" as I call it stays the same. Positively said you effectively get your 25% improvement resolution.
3. aperture
As I've written in a different thread before the camera optics has remained the same. But to adjust for the larger CCD the focal length had to be increased from 5.x to 7.5mm and thus the aperture came down from f/2.5 to f/3.2 because the lens' aperterue itself stayed the same. This means that the M2 has a considerably "slower" lens. I took a few shots in my room with heavy rain outside, and the timing was 33-50% slower (M2: 1/13 and 1/15 sec againt M1 1/25s or 1/500 against 1/800s). Since shots with flash are always 1/30s with both cameras and slowest sync is 1/8s, those pictures are considerably darker with the M2 for the same reason.
4. Best Shot modes
The M2 has those 6 Best Shot modes that had already been advertized for the M1. They might be fun, but in the end they're just simple ways of something you could do with any photo finishing program. I haven't used them yet except for 6 test shots.
I'm not sure which camera I'd recommend. Of course, 2 MP is better than 1.2 MP. On the other hand, since the Exilim will be a gadget for most of you, you'll probably take most pictures inside your house, in the evening or night, with artificial or even candle light instead of landscape scenaries. So the "slower" lens of the M2 probably will matter a lot. And if you resize to 800x600 and email your photos to your friends at the party, the 0.7 MP are lost anyway. I still can't decide which one to return or sell (now that I was sent back the M1 because the shop says it looks used and they can't sell it any more).
Philotech
So a little shorter this time: