FW 4.0 makes it almost perfect

The only thing you really have to put up with is the awkward default grip. Add an aftermarket MENGS L-shaped plate for extra grip (or the X-E originals, but those are rip-offs really and not as comfy), soft release and a hot shoe thumb grip and it's all dandy.

After FW 4.0, it's a compact beast. IQ is excellent to stellar, swift operation and response, extensive customization and no-nonsense quick access to all the essential settings, plus useful Q-menu and image style/auto ISO presets. In-camera RAW development is a breeze, I don't really need more, even though the RAW files could be closer to 10MB, not 30, as it is now. It even got more decent for video (with extended options and MUCH less AF hunting, though I'd still recommend MF).

One thing to note is that there is some lag in the menu, for example, when switching ISO. I believe it to be highly dependent on the shooting mode, viewfinder conditions, since there's a lot of processing done real-time, but alas, it's not buttery smooth - not a big problem for me.

Overall, it's an excellent camera, almost perfect as it is (and for the diminutive price you might be able to obtain).

Gripes or things I can live with, but should be solved by a future X-E3:

1. Improve the grip and make it more prominent. It sucks with anything other than pancakes and thumbs up + soft release are musts. Why not include them in the package?

2. Improve the battery/card access. I can live with it, but it sucks, big time, I have to use my fingers as tweezers to pull out the card (the battery at least falls down in the palm of the hand when pulling the safety).

3. Weather Seal it already! No excuse not to. Hopefully, pop out more WR (good) lenses meanwhile.

4. Add in body stabilization and make it work in conjunction with existing OIS lenses, to improve the results. Olympus-style.

5. New 24 MP sensor, about time. However, DO include a lower res spin-off for those who don't actually need to print larger files or don't work in the studio.

6. Further refine and improve the AF. The Zone-Tracking is ok-ish now, but single-point AF can be so much better, still. The new X-Pro2 system sounds good, if X-E3 comes out a year or two later, why not include it?

7. Improve peaking aid for MF. It's still hard to make out and a bit imprecise.

8. Improve EVF eyecup or at least offer an addon. In really bright sunlight, it's hard to seal off the contact area with the eye.

9. Make that LCD mobile already!

10. Make the On/OFF switch harder to use by mistake. Place it somewhere else.

11. Better, faster processor, smaller RAW files. It's almost decent now, but should be significantly better.