Back years ago, I became fan of LU-LA after reading some posts about the Olympus Four-Third system. At that time, I was the happy owner of an E1, but something was telling me that this format, and all the system built arrownd was in trouble. Michael Reichmann and Sean Reid's posts about the E1 impressed me by their accuracy and seriousness. They described with such precision a tool that I knew so well that I understood that this was a serious reliable website. But Michael also pointed something that I was starting to feel: That the Four Third format was a dead end, a "mistake" because professional gear will go full frame and also because four-third did not demonstrate being smaller tools. History told us Michael was absolutely right. Only one pro four-third camera went out, the E3, with very little if not any success among the pros. The other four-third cameras were not more portable and had more issues than benefits.
Then, they came with Micro-Four-Third. This time, it made sense, they were the first and they brought a kind of revolution in photo industry. Now, it is the most enjoyable team (Oly-Pana) of these years.
But... what would have happened if Leica, instead of the X1 would have released an X with mount at 2000 euros?
Soon or later, Canon, Nikon will enter the game and they will do it with much bigger sensors and an overall superior IQ.
I also think that the time will see a FF "micro-four-third style" camera is not too far ahead. What will happen to MFT then?
So my point is: What Michael predicted years ago with four-third will soon be true for micro-four-third.
Or...could it be that the industry is sharing the lands, exactely like powerfull countries share their conquests and influence zones?
Olympus to Canon: "Don't come in my MFT land..."
Canon to Olympus: "Don't worry, we won't do it as far as you stay out of our FF game..."
Panasonic to Olympus: "it is my turn to make fashion for the lady!"
Oly to Pana: "Ok, the pink is for you, but next time I'll get the pro black style first."
I have the feeling that history repeats...don't you?
Fred.