As with most photographers I get asked for my camera recommendations. So based on all the recent reviews and my personal experience here are the two types of cameras I would buy:
1. For no compromise photos, the Nikon D700 or D3s. The D700 if you don’t do sport and the D3s if you do. The D3s has a faster images per second which you can almost get with the D700 if you buy the optional battery grip.
2. For convenience when you want to carry a camera in your pocket the Leica M9 is unbeatable if you want maximum image quality and control. However, it’s 10x more expensive than the Olympus E-PL1. Is the Leica 10x better? Of course not. The Olympus has image stabilisation and movie mode which the Leica doesn’t but the Leica has arguably better lenses and a superior sensor. Other options in this category are the more expensive Olympus E-P2, the Panasonic GF-1 and the Samsung NX10. Here’s a review of why I chose the Olympus instead of the Panasonic GF-1 or the Samsung NX10:
On Vacation with the Olympus E-PL1 and Samsung NX10 by Jonathan Wong
But they would all be excellent cameras.
3. For point and shoot, I defer to Ken Rockwell’s recommendation of either the Canon S90 or the SD980 if you like to take wide angle photos.