Assuming that this could be found for a bit less dough ($500 is slightly steep, but I would guess you could expect a street price of more like $400), I think it could be an excellent little camera. There have been too many occasions when, whilst in less safe countries, my DSLR has stayed in the room for fear of muggings/confiscation by police. One of these could easily be slipped into a pocket but, hopefully, could obtain some tasty shots.
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Replace with Leica-looking micro four thirds model (like http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/22/olympus-drops-jaws-with-retro-micro-four-thirds-concept/) please.
You'd get less sensor noise and interchangeable lenses.
If you'd prefer Leica-related to Leica-looking, there's Panasonic's Micro four thirds offering (http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/09/panasonic-launc.html), but it's $850.
Assuming that this could be found for a bit less dough ($500 is slightly steep, but I would guess you could expect a street price of more like $400), I think it could be an excellent little camera. There have been too many occasions when, whilst in less safe countries, my DSLR has stayed in the room for fear of muggings/confiscation by police. One of these could easily be slipped into a pocket but, hopefully, could obtain some tasty shots.
That's huge. At at point I might as well have a DSLR. I'm looking for a pocket camera, like Leica users have for ages.
I don't want to pay Leica prices though...
It's not that huge...the pictures are just blown up big.