[Willo]

Thank you again for the advice and the warm welcome.

I plucked up the courage to pop into a camera shop at the weekend and came away somewhat disappointed. The salesman was obviously well trained and, having learned my budget, tried to sell the most expensive bodies within that budget. A Nikon D90 and a Canon 50D were produced and they felt like bricks. He reluctantly produced the E-520 and E-620. I am very taken by the E-620 specs but to holding it I found that the small grip was uncomfortable. The E-520 was a bit bigger bu easier to hold. The Pana G1 felt much better but, at the moment, has a small range of lenses. Still not an easy choice to make.

I am trying to follow Stu's good advice but finding it hard, unsurprisingly, to find someone willing to lend me these pieces of kit. None of the camera shops I've contacted even do rentals. Probably for similar reasons.

I am very encouraged by some of the excellent pictures the Oly users post here.

Thanks again.

Will