It's nice to read your thoughts here.
E-5 is definitely more than "firmware update" to the E-3.
If you are in Singapore and your time permits, make a visit to Olympus Studio this coming Saturday, from 2pm to 5pm.
See it for yourself.
I agree that while the E-5 seems more like a firmware update, the performance and handling has changed, handling has good and bad points though, it feels more balanced somewhat, but the buttons have become smaller is is a little bit of a pain in the rear for me to change using the arrows but at least I'm used to the button and dial method
Probably the reason why the dynamic tone is used so often is because its new. Since people tend to use new things rather than old, as well as to showcase the capability of the new art filter
I don't think the right thing is the bridge the 4/3 line to the m4/3 line but more likely is the logical thing, they may not just" ok, today is the end of 4/3" since Canon that did in the past and so did Olympus before Canon moved to the EF lenses and Olympus dropped the OM cameras.
Its probably physics which doesn't allow the m4/3 lenses to be used on the 4/3 cameras, as well as accessories, not many now, but for example, why would you want to use the EVF on the E-5? I mean that as an example only
How is it insulting that Olympus is driving none professionals to the m4/3? annoying probably, insulting, I just don't see it
Besides, Olympus has stated that in the future, all camera will be mirrorless, I won't be surprised pros use m4/3 cameras once the mirrorless cameras specs and performance catch up to current cameras.
Its probably a good thing, I've heard my friends complain to me that their DSLR is heavy, and what are they using? Entry level DSLRs
True that the m4/3 cameras don't look "professional" but what matters is what comes out of the camera since in the past, block cameras look pretty much like E-P1 and E-P2 minus the prism for OVF
Whatever Sony or any other company does, its their choice, I won't expect Olympus to follow suit. Its like cooking fish, you can steam it or fry it or make it into curry. Olympus choice was to bridge the 4/3 to the m4/3 slowly, and its seen now actually. Also the rumors of the modular system makes the future even more interesting