Interesting to still see this sensor size debate still so widely disputed. Don't forget that for the same lens the smaller sensor simply covers a smaller part of the image circle, giving the appearance of longer focal length. With a full-frame sensor you get the same effect by cropping to a smaller size. I haven't done the arithmetic to see what pixel count is needed to end up with the same number of pixels, but you get the point...
One thing to also bear in mind, is that the DOF you're getting is the 'full frame' DOF. This means that for creative control you need to use correspondingly wider apertures with the 1.6 sensors to get the same effect. This is turn makes greater demads on the quality of your lens.