[matthew]

I own three cameras, and agonized over the decision for each. I read review after review, and looked at dozens of samples to compare image quality. This is what I've learned:

There is such a thing as a perfect camera, one that takes THE BEST images at any given market niche / price point. Here's what you need to look for:

1) Charged batteries.
2) Room on the memory card.
3) It's in your hand.

The camera that satisfies those three criteria will take better photos than any that don't. Cameras that don't satisfy those criteria have image quality that's so bad that they're not even worth thinking about.

I call this the "One Metre Rule". Any camera closer that one meter automatically outperforms any camera that's farther away.

When it comes to deciding which camera to keep in your hand, I would suggest that you put image quality at the BOTTOM of your list. (There's always better image quality to be had -- think a 22mp MF camera is good? Try a scanning back on a large-format view camera.) What comes first on the list is up to you and your personal needs. I wanted reliability, useability, pro-level features, and affordability when I went shopping for mine. Other people may want high framing rates, vertical shutter release, a particular camera size, a particular shade of black for the body ... who knows? There are very few BAD cameras on the market right now. After that, it's all up to the pointing mechanism.

I don't generally get into the my-camera-can-beat-up-your-camera discussions. I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade my camera for any camera on the market, regardless of price. (If someone offered a temporary swap for a Nikon D2X, I'd consider it.) That means I bought the right one, and I honestly hope that everyone can say that about whatever cameras they've chosen. If, like my own mother, you've bought the Olympus E-300 based on my recommendation, I especially hope that you like it.