I thought I did? Nikon 1.

The nikon 1 has a hybrid AF system (not sure what they call it officially). It incorporates both CDAF and PDAF technology, which is inherently better for moving subjects. Of course for fairly stationary subjects (kids 1 year below), the m43 system will do just fine. But once the kid start running around, you either need to make do with 90% out of focus shots, or practice practice practice.

Edit: Caveat on the Nikon 1, its PDAF is only excellent in good lighting condition.

The Panasonic touch screens aren't capacitive like the EP-3, benefits include the ability to use any glove but it's less like a iPhone and more like a ATM machine.

To me, the biggest compromises in m43 over DSLR are basically a function of the sensor size. With a smaller sensor you necessarily give up some low-light performance and some resolution. It's amazing to me what the newer DSLRs can do in almost no light.

In addition the DSLRs are better at capturing fast action; they can focus faster and have better "burst" modes.

Lastly there is lens selection. The DSLRs will always have a wider array of available lenses than m43 has. I just looked at BH Photo's website; they have 250 or so lenses for either Canon or Nikon and under 40 for m43. Obviously you're not likely to ever have a need for more than a few lenses, but the options are much broader for DSLR users.

All that said the one major advantage of m43 is size. Low-light performance is decent with a fast lens (25mm f/1.4, 20mm f/1.7 or 45mm f/1.8) and you're unlikely to notice the difference in capturing action unless you're planning on shooting a lot of sports. The native m43 lens selection continues to grow and now includes good options at most focal lengths you're likely to want. If you want more choice, adapters are available for just about any lens you can find (although you'll be limited to manual focus).

The S95 is a very good compact camera, so I wouldn't beat myself up over making that selection. If you want you can probably eBay it for $200-250, so it's not like moving to another system is a complete loss.

Same thing with m43. If you make the leap and later find that you can't live with the limitations, most of your investment (particularly anything you spend on high-quality native lenses) can be recouped on the secondary market, so there's not a whole lot of risk.

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Criticism (no matter how harsh) is welcomed of ANY and ALL images I post.

I have an 8 year old that rarely stops moving. In all honesty I have been able to use a number of my m43 bodies and gotten the shot. The above was taken with an E-P3 and P20/1.7

Here are a couple of things you might want to read before jumping into :

• Review of the E-P3 (and Oly 12mm f/2 lens) by the Phoblographer
• Building the perfect Micro 4/3 Camera kit for under $2500 by Steve Huff - good overview of what's available in the m43 world
• The Nikon V1 Camera Review – The camera I expected to hate! by Steve Huff - a thorough review which does a good job of detailing the advantages/disadvantages of the various options in the Interchangeable Lens Compact market (Nikon 1 series, M43, Sony NEX series, Fuji X, etc.)
• Micro 4/3 vs a Full Frame Legend by site member Jordan Steele (aka JMan)

Hope I don't provoke "paralysis by analysis" but the more you learn up front the less likely you'll be to regret your decision.

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Criticism (no matter how harsh) is welcomed of ANY and ALL images I post.

I have a bunch of questions about parenthood and life in general that have been plaguing me! :-)

I'm definitely going to research this but I really want to pull the trigger on something by the end of April as I don't want to miss any more pics of my little guy.

For now I'm leaning toward the E-M5 depending on the reviews when it comes out. I'm drawn to the larger sensor (I'm traumatized by my experience with the S95!). I'm wondering if I should go for a kit or just the body. I think the silver body is pretty sleek looking but I'm not sure about the kit lens it comes with - any thoughts on the 12-50 or 14-42? I don't think the silver comes with the 12-50? Is that right? At least B&H didn't seem to have it listed.

I also like the idea of the 45/F8 (do I need this off the bat?) and a pancake lens (I'm thinking I can add the pancake later in time?). Which pancake is the preferred lens? I'm not opposed to 3rd party versions.

Also wondering about the rebate deal Oly is offering. Do I want the flash or one of the adapters? I'm thinking flash since I believe the adapters would only allow me to use "adapted" lenses in manual mode but please correct me if I am wrong.

As for the S95, perhaps I'm missing something but on auto the flash intrudes too often for my taste and on P mode I find the images shaky. I was just expecting more from this camera based on the glowing reviews I read. Plus I find there is sometimes a long lag between taking the photo and seeing it onscreen.

Thanks again for all your thoughtful advice. I really do appreciate it. You folks are amazing.

FM

Go ahead and throw them out, you never know what you might learn.

This point is crucial to me, and a primary reason I would probably NOT wait for the E-M5.

Wow, my original assumption that you were on a tight budget with this purchase look like they were unfounded.

I agree that the silver body E-M5 is a fantastic look. The silver body is available in a kit with the 12-50, but I cannot find the silver paired with the 14-42.

Keep in mind that the 14-42 and 12-50 are quite different beasts. The 12-50 is nearly twice as long and twice as heavy as the 14-42. Because of this, I'd most likely choose the 14-42 for you (and for me as well). Although I'm excited to see the output of the 12-50 and would relish the extra range (particularly on the wide end), I don't think it's advantages are worth the trade-off in size (not to mention the extra two Benjamins).

If I were going to buy an E-M5 today, I'd lean toward buying the body only (assuming the silver is not available in a kit with the 14-42, otherwise I'd buy that kit). EDIT: Actually, more likely I'd get the 12-50 kit (for $US300 more) and then immediately sell the lens (which retails at US$500) and re-invest in the 20mm f/1.7 and possibly the 14-42mm.

I would flip this and get the Panasonic 20mm pancake first. The way it allows you to get close to your baby is really a huge advantage -- you want to be at arms length to catch those shots of the first steps (because you may have to catch your boy as well). I'd add the 45 f/1.8 when your budget allows as it will be a great lens for when the kid gets bigger and more mobile.

I'd probably choose the flash, but I don't put much value in any of the items being offered through the rebate. As far as the adapters go, it's my understanding that the MMF-3 adapter for Four-Thirds does allow for full electronic control (including autofocus) of those lenses. All other adapters (including the OM adapter in the offer) are for manual only. That said, unless you already have Four-Thirds lenses, I see no value in the MMF-3 since native lenses are available that are at least as capable (and significantly smaller) than any of the Four-Thirds lenses of which I am aware. [Here are some more opinions on the value of the items in the rebate offer.]

I'm sure that others here will disagree with me, but I don't think you'll see a huge difference in the output between the E-P3 and the E-M5. While the E-M5 is definitely the new hotness, I'd save a bit of money on the body and invest it into high quality lenses. If you find after a couple of years that the 12MP sensor is holding you back, you can easily upgrade to the latest body (maybe the 36-megapixel E-M7 ) and continue to use the excellent lenses you already have.

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Sarcasm is my default tone, so please consider that before taking offense to the preceding message.

Criticism (no matter how harsh) is welcomed of ANY and ALL images I post.

I would get the 12-50 if getting the em5. 45 1.8 and 20 1.7 for the pancake.

I don't think it's worth getting a smaller kit lens if you will have a pancake for times when you want to go small.

I don't quite agree that you should wait on a body. Babies grow up fast and there is no guarantee that Olympus will come out with a better sensor camera anytime before your kid goes to pre school.

I figured I might as well add my 2 cents in on this post, as I have a 17 month old daughter who now loves to run around outside and not stop. During her life so far, I've had 2 camera's, a Nikon D700 and a Panasonic G3.

The Nikon featured amazingly fast continuous autofocus. It would track and lock on very well. The Panasonic G3's cont. AF is not nearly as effective, especially with the Olympus 45mm on it.

Single point AF however, and I'd say both camera's about equal. With this, I have found that I use single point AF 90% of the time and just practice to time shots rather than just holding the AF button down and hoping to get lucky.

I sold the D700 a month ago and haven't looked back yet. I have found the G3 to be great for getting all of the moments I want with one caveat. You need to practice and learn the AF system to know how it's going to respond. It is not a miracle worker. I'd say any current gen m4/3 camera will be able to get the shots you want. I do also think that a current gen DSLR will make getting some of those 'moving' shots easier. You can get them with m4/3 camera's, but in my experience, it is easier with a DSLR.

However, since I have sold my DSLR and moved strictly to a m4/3 system, that should tell you that I think m4/3 system is more than capable in experienced hands.

Examples of my shots are here.

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