I am an amateur photographer (a member of my local camera club) and an avid camper/hiker/canoer/outdoorsy type. My primary interests in photography are wildlife and landscapes, although I will occasionally do architecture (esp. ruins) and every day people shots. I bought this camera + two-lens kit directly from Olympus during their 2011 summer sale, and I have to say I am extremely happy I decided on this purchase (I was considering a Nikon D7000 and others at that point). It was $900 when I bought it (taxes/shipping incl.), so this is a great price considering what you get.
The image quality (IQ) is incredible and has astounded my professional photographer friends time and time again. My mom and sister both own a photography business, and both shoot with expensive, high-end, much larger Nikon DSLRs. Two other friends, who are top-notch (international award-winning) photographers who shoot with various DSLR cameras from Cannon and Nikon are also in the same 'boat', but one of them had bought the EPL-2 just two months before I did (and he only buys the best photography equipment with the highest IQ). He claims he will never take his larger DSLRs with him on a trip again, and the other friend has finally been converted to the MFT (micro four-thirds) as well (he is now on the market for the EPL-2 or -3). My mom keeps trying to steal it from me and I'm going to have to buy her one too.
This camera is excellent because it is light-weight, compact, *relatively* affordable (when you consider the cost of many mid-high end DSLRs), and competes VERY well with the more expensive cameras' IQ, colour rendering, white balance, ISO (you hardly get any noise even at the higher ISOs!!!), and even their numerous functions/shooting options. Although new and unable to do everything everyone could ever want (which no camera can do), the MFT technology is definitely the way to go for any amateur photographer or professionals looking for a smaller package with the same quality as their primary or secondary camera. Also, the kit lenses are surprisingly good, and you don't need a macro lens (good thing, because there isn't one only a converter) because the 14-42mm lens offers just the right depth of field for either every day shooting or close up shots.
I only gave this camera a 4 and not a 5 for two reasons: first, as I am coming from a DSLR (primarily Nikon) circle, I find the organization of the menus and manual sometimes confusing, although as I continue practicing with the camera it's finally becoming second nature; also, the price of such small items can sometimes feel like I could be purchasing many other items for the price of one lens, and there are not many options out there just yet (but this is changing rapidly). That being said, I am not a professional and so I'm pleased with the options for me I have the two kit lenses and the Panasonic 100-300mm, I purchased the Olympus 9mm-18mm wide angle M.Zuiko today (after testing it in-store), and I will soon be adding the Oly 25mm pancake lens.
I have just finished packing for my first safari and I must say, I am amazed that I can pack the all my lenses (equivalent to the range of 18mm-600mm of a full-frame camera), my camera body, charger/batteries, cards, a small Sony video camera with all its items, my filters, two notepads+writing utensils, the VF-2 viewfinder, a tripod (which is the heaviest item) and a few other things (i.e. cleaning products, wires) all in a small camera backpack that combined weighs less than 12 lbs!!! My mom's Nikon D2X and her 80-400mm lens ONLY are just over 6lbs, and my one friend who is now on the market for and EPL has asked me to carry his 600mm lens through the airport because I have an extra item I can carry in-hand and he's already overstuffed. Of the 24 photographers who are coming on safari, I will be the envy as far as packing is concerned.
Overall, I have what I need and I am consistently amazed by the quality and overall value of these products. I HIGHLY recommend this kit to those who can afford it!!!
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