4/3 (four thirds) systems- why?

Hi,

I've been reading a bit about 4/3 (four thirds) systems (sony NEX 5, Panasonic DMC-L10, Olympus E5 etc):
Why would someone buy one?
(I could be very wrong in some of my assumptions, please correct me)

They are much better than a compact but not as good as a dSLR for low light, IQ etc.

Unless you have the kit lens on they're quiet large in size ( http://www.pcmag.com/...l%253D250749%2526a%253D250743%2526po%253D9,00.asp?p=n ). Even with kit/small lens on it won't fit in a pocket.

They are as expensive (or close to) as dSLRs (why is the d lowercase and teh rest uppercase?) prices for body & lenses.

There's not as big a range of lenses available as for dSLRS (even if they are more interchangable)

A lot of them don't have viewfinders.

I can understand why someone would buy one over a compact but if you're going to do that why not just buy a small bodied dSLR (Pentax K-X or similar)? I know it's smaller but still not pocketable.
I'm sure there's loads of reasons I haven't thought of, please enlighten me!

Cheers,
Pa.

Pentax Auto 110 had about the same sized film area as 4/3's, had a leaf shutter built into the body... and was an slr.
I think it would be a better descision for Pentax to release a digital 110 that is compatible with the old lenses and and have a line of lenses that can be sold for the 110 digital that share design elements with the 4/3's lenses so maybe Tokina can sell the same lens with different mounts for the 4/3's crowd as Pentax branded ones for Pentax 110 digital. (there is a certian model in Pentax's current lineup that may have been thrown out there to test the publics desire to buy a camera that looks like a mini d-slr)

Further I believe Pentax will release an aps-c or ff Evil class camera that will essentially be an Oly or Pany evil on steroids.... with a standard k mount.
A Pentax version of this:




yes the body will be thicker to accomadate the lens mount and WR(but maybe adding an i-ring control around the lens mount and it won't be as noticable) but when combined with a pancake lens it will actually be smaller than other aps-c evil cameras...

Keep an eye on the newest reviews over at EPZ.

I am indeed mixing up my systems. It's CSC I mean- Sony NEX and similar.

I've had a look, what do you mean?

Tell me, tell me, tell me!

I think JR knows somethiing we don't know...

Tell me, tell me, tell me.

Nothing muysterious and not a new Pentax camera so don't get over excited! But certainly reviews are on the way of things that will interest Robbie and are relevant to this discussion.

I would suggest plying him with liquor, but be forewarned, he has expensive tastes.....

PM me, PM me, PM me!

Its a shame its not Pentax.

If they put their minds to it they'd make a world-beating mirrorless system.