I saw a photo on the web with a black version but it looked very illustrated. Maybe a concept? Or just someone's fancy Photoshop skills. I don't recall any of the Pen cameras ever coming in black. Am I wrong? If you look at Olympus' website (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_sl... you can see the history of the Pen cameras. I would think that they would keep the new digital Pen in line with the older film versions.

I'm not crazy about the white version, but the silver looks nice to me. I might be pawning off some of my gear (G10 and others) to grab this guy. Looks like it'll please even the most picky pixel peeper and at about the same size as a DP series Sigma camera. FINALLY!

Hoping the third mention up there is right. I'm waiting on a $600 price tag so I can pawn off this Rebel series of mine and pick one of these up. Wow. I haven't been this excited about a camera in a LONG time. And almost NEVER have I been excited about anything Olympus has put out. Except I do rather fancy the image quality from the new Tough 6000 which has proven to be quite the point and shoot. I don't have one yet, but I may be filling my cycling bag with a couple of Oly toys here very, very soon.

The point is, retailers are trying to make money. They see something that everyone wants and they raise the price. Obviously they aren't selling many of them at that 'premium' otherwise they'd be out of stock, too. I think, like Jeffery said, you have to decide if it's worth the extra premium or not. If it is, then pay the higher price and be done with it.

But think about this: If you pay the higher price for an item, your resale value is still going to be based on the normal price so you will lose a lot more money on the resale of the item should you decide to do so. Also, buying gray market items is fine if it never breaks, needs service or has a recall. But if your item requires manufacturer's attention, you're out of luck and will pay even more money to have it repaired at a facility. Those are all things to consider when buying gray market and higher priced items based on demand. Nintendo did this same thing with the Wii. People were paying THOUSANDS for them on eBay. I got one at Target a month after it was released for the normal price and flipped it a year later for $100 more than I originally paid. It's all about who's willing to pay the price and I think it's fine.

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!!

Great final post and a great list as well!
I toyed with the idea of the LX3 for a long time before settling for the G10. I think the fact that it was out of stock everywhere and the lack of RAW support for the Panasonic at the time made me opt for the Canon. I'm still considering getting one just to see how I like it, but for now the G10 will have to do.

Also, not to argue, but doesn't the Leica incorporate the same algorithms and noise reduction/image enhancement programming as the M8? If so, that could be a bonus for whoever is buying it. Just throwing that in there. Seems I've read it somewhere before.

Thanks for all the time you put into this list. It was a joy to read them all and learn a few things.

best,
Matthew

I've had mixed emotions about the G10.

After shooting almost exclusively with a Canon 5D and several lenses (most used are the 24-70L, 50/1.4) and using all of my old film cameras for my 'street shooting,' I decided it was time that I own a point and shoot camera for those times when the 5D wasn't practical (like riding my bike at night, or at all; or lunch with a friend). I went through two Sony cameras, three PowerShot SD series, two Panasonics (TZ and FX series) and an Olympus. Luckily for me, I work at Ritz and could get my hands on all of the cameras I wanted to try and give 'em a shot before I committed to buying. Unluckily for me, I was used to using that 5D and a plethora of film SLR's and Rangefinders.

I had read about the G10 extensively. I knew enough about it, that I sold three people on them and we didn't even have them in the store, but my knowledge of the camera's pros and cons led the people to believe it would do for them and they all ordered one, sight unseen. But I hadn't convinced myself.

When we finally got them in at the Ritz where I work (a miracle to say the least), I bought one. But not from Ritz, I got it used from FM because Ritz's price was a pinch high for me. Especially if I wasn't going to keep it. Sure, I could return it, but that's no fair to the next guy for me to go and use a camera for two weeks and then box it up and sell it new. So I bought one used figuring I could turn the money back out of it should I hate it.

At first, I loved it. It was rugged. Solid. It felt like a "real camera." And the looks reminded me of a modern Rangefinder (similar to a Bessa). It had knurled knobs and dials and was easy to use. Then came the image tests. I hated them. They were noisy and lacked the dynamic range of the 5D. Then I kicked myself and questioned my sanity for even beginning to expect the kind of image quality and dynamic range I get from a 5D out of a camera like the G10. So, one month and some change after buying it and having taken some 300 photos with it just goofing around, I love it. I love it for what it does right and I even love it for what it does wrong. Shooting at ISO 800 just means that I have to kick it into black and white in Lightroom, boost the contrast and remove some noise and viola! a great B&W photograph.

And who am I kidding. I haven't printed a single image from it. Thus far, the web has been my G10 outlet and for that, the G10 is PERFECT.

Now, off to find myself a Ricoh camera and a DP-1. I know. It sounds crazy. But it's a sickness. I admit I have a problem and no, I don't need help. I can quit anytime...I think. Oh boy...

Great review Amin! And I'm still loving the CameraWork Forums. I love the tidyness and small town feel it still has. And I love how it ISN'T brand-specific. Great stuff.

Regards,
Matthew

Great article, Amin!
I'm really enjoying these "Top 10 Compacts" posts lately.

I don't own a Fuji camera, but have considered picking one up just for the color they produce. I used to love Fuji Sensia, Astia and Provia slide films for their bright, crisp colors (especially in the cooler tones) and Fuji managed to bring that same inviting color over to their digital cameras. And they did it well. I like your black and white shot up there, but I'm sure you've got some great color ones as well if the 200EXR is anything like the other Fuji's I've messed with.

Can't wait for the next post.