was your mobile phone on when you used the E510 at ISO 1600? on the panny L1 review on dpreview, they mentioned that gsm radio waves can cause banding on the live-mos sensor on the L1. maybe its the same thing with the E510? just guessing
ISO 1600, 1/10, f/3.5 (ACR4.1)
This sample was taken indoors in low light. I don't think its interference from mobile phones as its replicable anywhere.
This is what makes DPR reviews invaluable; don't get me wrong, sometimes I do think Phil's conclusions are quite "mystifying", but there's no doubt that the tests were done as scientifically and as fairly as possible.
DPR presents the necessary data, all it needs is a little number crunching and formulate workarounds for any flaws or "special" characteristics.
Good to see that there's a little more DR in RAW (since that is all I shoot nowadays) than JPEGs.