I could see them ditching the E-Px line, removing the accessory port and hotshoe from the E-PMx line and having that be the entry level camera, leaving the E-PLx line relatively unchanged for enthusiasts that may want an accessory port and then having the OM-D with a built in viewfinder. That would clearly differentiate the three cameras. I'm not saying that this is what I would like to see, just that I could see it happening. If that were the case I would expect to see the XZ-2 be released without an accessory port as well.

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Olympus PEN E-PL1 | M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 L | M. Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4-5.6 R | Zuiko Auto-W MC 28mm f2.8 | G.Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.4 | Zuiko Auto-T 135mm f2.8 | Fujian 35mm f1.7

Certainly glad I got my XZ-1 then. Tie-breaker was ability to use VF2.

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Chuck

If the E-P line goes away, it would be nothing less than a tragedy. I know it might have to get dumbed down to not compete with the E-M5 line, but it's too great a body to let it disappear.

that's the thing - this kind of pricing would force EPL4 out of the line-up. EPL3 was 700 when released, wasnt it? there's only room for 2 models now below EM5 it seems. otherwise it might get crowded :)

When you think about it, it really does make sense - it would mirror the Panasonic lineup - a small, beginner friendly camera with built in flash and no accessory port (E-PMx/GF5), an enthusiast camera with a viewfinder/accessory port (E-PLx/GX1) and a built in viewfinder, mini DSLR body line (OM-D/G3/GH2)

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Olympus PEN E-PL1 | M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 L | M. Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4-5.6 R | Zuiko Auto-W MC 28mm f2.8 | G.Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.4 | Zuiko Auto-T 135mm f2.8 | Fujian 35mm f1.7

Except that I would argue that Panny's "G" series (G1, G2, G3) most closely tracks Oly's PEN series (E-P1, E-P2, E-P3). Panasonic's got four product lines, if this rumor is to be believed and Oly is intending to eliminate one line, then that leaves them with just three: Mini, PEN/Lite, and OM-D.

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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 highly doubt they would nip the e-p3 successor, it is the flagship pen. Im sure oly knows many of the user base are previous pen users thus having a viewfinder ready to use with the new line. I dont think they would remove the port from later models as its needed for some accessories also. I can see them morphing the e-pm and e-pl series however and morphing some features of the e-pl into the e-p

I'm done being an internet forums airmchair product manager. Having been an actual product manager in high-tech, and dealing with the fact that everyone fancies themselves a product manager, I'll pass on another round of "what I think is needed is..."

But I will say this -- the fact that there's talk about refreshing the Pen line in September gives me hope for a Pen with the OMD sensor. I need a second camera and am purposely just getting another low-cost EPM1, to minimize the depreciation. I'd really like two bodies with the new sensor -- an EPM2 with either an EP4 or OMD, preferring the pen, but going for the one with the in-built EVF in either case.

What they CHOOSE to build, or should build, or how they respond to competitor XYZ, I'll let others hash out, but I'm just loving that the line will be refreshed, and maybe, just maybe, I'll get that new sensor after all :)

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EM5; 9-18, PL25, 100-300 and some others.
(also, 6D + RX100)

I tend to agree, but it has made me (probably) hold off on an E-P3 until I see the next entry. I prefer the E-P3 over the OM-D, but would love an upgraded E-P4 even without a viewfinder.

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Nikon D600, 24-85VR, 70-300VR, P7700, SB-700.

I would argue that the GF1/GX1 most closely tracks the E-Px line. The G1/G2/G3 would be like an OM-D E-M5 Lite. The only reason I figure they'll do away with the E-Px line is because the inital pricing of all the E-Px cameras have been so close to what the E-M5 is and the rumour mentioned that Olympus was so pleased with the E-PL3 (which frankly is a surprise to me as I didn't realise they were selling so well).

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Olympus PEN E-PL1 | M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 L | M. Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f4-5.6 R | Zuiko Auto-W MC 28mm f2.8 | G.Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f1.4 | Zuiko Auto-T 135mm f2.8 | Fujian 35mm f1.7