Which Micro Four Thirds: A Personal Rationalization

For years, many of us have been waiting for small cameras with large sensors. Sigma led the way with the DP1 and continues to have a unique offering with the DP series. Meanwhile, Olympus and Panasonic have given us choice in the direct view interchangeable lens market. Yet not one of the current Micro Four Thirds bodies (G1, GH1, GF1, E-P1) combines the best of all features. One can have fast autofocus (Panasonic) or in-body stabilization (Olympus), but not both. Fast autofocus is important to many of us, but the ability to stabilize any lens, including some very sweet glass from a variety of makes, appeals greatly.

Miscellaneous factors:

• Only the G1 and GH1 have fully articulated LCD screens.
• Only the GH1 has a multi-aspect ratio sensor, allowing one to shoot in 3:2 or 16:9 without sacrificing diagonal angle of view.
• The GH1 sensor has better overall noise performance than the sensors from the other Micro Four Thirds cameras.
• The G1 and GH1 EVF is higher quality than the add-on EVF for the GF1.
• The G1 and GH1 are shorter than the GF1 plus EVF (see below).

• While the G1 or GH1 plus 20/1.7 pancake thickness is greater than the GF1 or E-P1 plus 20/1.7 thickness, the added thickness is mostly made up an articulated LCD and EVF eyecup (see above).
• The G1 and GH1 aren't as good looking as the GF1 or E-P1.
• The GH1 kit currently costs more than the GF1 and E-P1, which in turn currently cost more than the G1.
• The GH1 is hard to find in stock, and the GF1 is impossible to find in stock.
• Leica might announce something really cool on September 9 (besides the M9).

All of that went through my mind in the span of a few minutes when I stumbled across the GH1 kit in stock at my local camera dealer, Hunt's Photo in Melrose, MA.  I made my choice and came home with the GH1.  Those of you picking up a Micro Four Thirds camera, which one and why?

Addendum: Here's a mockup with cameras shown to scale, demonstrating the relative sizes of the GF1 and GH1 compared to one of the smallest DSLR and fast normal prime combinations, the Nikon D5000 and AF-S 35/1.8: