I personally would be very happy with a weather-resistant, magnesium bodied, dual-control wheel, articulating screen version of an E-510 - IF the price is right, say a bit higher than the 40D, but not D300 range. There really is NO reason that it should cost much more than a 40D...assumed similar construction, assumed same Mpix sensor, assume that the IS adds a whopping $100, and maybe another $50 for the articulating screen. So let's say $1600 tops for the body...and consider that Oly usually competes against Canikon via value, it should even be lower perhaps...back down to $1400 for the 40D.

If they do that, then I buy it and probably a 12-60mm lens and am very happy - until I break down and buy the new larger zoom in a few months. If they price it in D300 land...well then, I would have a hard time, as I would have a sneaking suspicion that I could pick it up a lot cheaper down the line. I would love to update my E-500, but not pay silly money for a camera that will devalue quite a bit 6 months after launch (if launched at D300 levels). If I am going to do that, then I might as well consider the D300, which frankly is the current prosumer benchmark in specs, or the A700, which also gives 12Mpix and has IS.

OLY - are you listening???