[quote name='you2' timestamp='1291730981' post='4829']
Well the E-5 is a large bulky camera; but the 12-60 is a wonderful lens. Pentax had some wonderful lenses (the new ones don't seem so good) also in the USA their support seems relatively poor (canon has very good support in USA). Olympus tends to be a fairly good with regards to support but I tend to believe the 4/3 system is 'dead'. I suppose there is some chance the GH2 sensor will make it way into a 4/3 camera (not sure if revenue support such; also not sure if the olympus lenses will hold up to a sensor with that density.
If you do not shoot raw olympus tends to deliver very good jpeg out of the camera (both with regards to resolution and colour) so that might matter. I personally developed a very strong dislike to the E3 (too many pictures came out crooked) but I really did like the 12-60.
Oh well those are some of the trade offs. I personally would probably skip both (more for system issues than camera issues) but the truth is that either one could serve you well for 5+ years (though I think the 16-50 pentax lens might be the weakest point).
[/quote]
The Pentax system is rather unique if you value small form factor system combined with high IQ.
For example, a great combo would be: K5 + DA15 f/4 + DA35 f/2.8 + DA 70 f/2.4. This covers wide-angle (landscapes), normal/macro and portrait. The compactness of the limited lenses, their build quality, as well as their IQ, is simply awesome and a joy to use.
In the zooms department however, it's not as great, especially compared to the Oly 12-60 which is clearly the best zoom in this range among all brands.
This being said, a nice zoom combo with good IQ (especially the tele) and constant aperture would be: K5 + DA 17-70 f/4 + DA* 60-250 f/4. You can also add the excellent DA 12-24 f/4 and you have the whole range covered from 12mm to 250mm.
Well the E-5 is a large bulky camera; but the 12-60 is a wonderful lens. Pentax had some wonderful lenses (the new ones don't seem so good) also in the USA their support seems relatively poor (canon has very good support in USA). Olympus tends to be a fairly good with regards to support but I tend to believe the 4/3 system is 'dead'. I suppose there is some chance the GH2 sensor will make it way into a 4/3 camera (not sure if revenue support such; also not sure if the olympus lenses will hold up to a sensor with that density.
If you do not shoot raw olympus tends to deliver very good jpeg out of the camera (both with regards to resolution and colour) so that might matter. I personally developed a very strong dislike to the E3 (too many pictures came out crooked) but I really did like the 12-60.
Oh well those are some of the trade offs. I personally would probably skip both (more for system issues than camera issues) but the truth is that either one could serve you well for 5+ years (though I think the 16-50 pentax lens might be the weakest point).
[/quote]
The Pentax system is rather unique if you value small form factor system combined with high IQ.
For example, a great combo would be: K5 + DA15 f/4 + DA35 f/2.8 + DA 70 f/2.4. This covers wide-angle (landscapes), normal/macro and portrait. The compactness of the limited lenses, their build quality, as well as their IQ, is simply awesome and a joy to use.
In the zooms department however, it's not as great, especially compared to the Oly 12-60 which is clearly the best zoom in this range among all brands.
This being said, a nice zoom combo with good IQ (especially the tele) and constant aperture would be: K5 + DA 17-70 f/4 + DA* 60-250 f/4. You can also add the excellent DA 12-24 f/4 and you have the whole range covered from 12mm to 250mm.