Originally posted by RaduA I have no doubts that there is a sensible market for such cameras but at this moment maybe the prices are too big, options to few and performance not up to par.
Radu
Excellent point Radu that I have not considered here - M43 cameras are currently priced significantly above entry level dSLRs, and more often than not are competing against higher-specified mid-level entries. Judging by their pricing (and by much of the talk of the Olympus E-P1) they are being aimed at serious enthusiasts as second systems to their primary dSLRs.
It's an interesting strategy - maybe they are trying to legitimize the format among the general public by selling it to "serious" photographers first - but I for one think that they'd sell boatloads if priced at the entry level. What I don't know is if the higher pricing is due to the miniaturization or just product strategy - Olympus would cannibalize their entry-level dSLRs if they priced the E-Px similarly. Likewise, Panasonic has to put a significant price difference between their supercompact line (LX-3) and the M43 G line.
Maybe they are not ready to take the leap just yet. After all, for Olympus to say, "ok, from today no more entry level dSLRs. Instead, here is M43, a new, unproven form factor" would be a very risky move. High potential reward, but also high risk, and larger companies work very hard to manage risk like that.