I bought mine used, having only 130 shots on record, for $575. with 14-45 lens and battery and hood and neck strap and charger. An additional battery was $85. when I first checked. They are coming down in price but still too high!!!

I really need the 45-200 zoom. I tried a doubler fastened to the front of my smaller zoom and it did not make clear photos. Blurred around the edges!

I need a 28-300 zoom with f2.8 lens. I don’t suppose they’ll make one for the G1 for a while yet.

I personally like the video view in the finder because it’s live. Other DSLRs just have the mirror image, which is real clear, but not predictive of what your final shot will look like. I almost never use the 3 inch monitor, I can’t see it with out reading glasses and I can’t see through the view finder with glasses on. I appreciate the adjustability of the view finder diopter.

I have had a few frustrations with the use of it but feel that as I learn how to adjust the many settings, I can make better photos.

This camera is a lot better than the Kodak point and shoot, 5 mp, that I’ve been using. I was disappointed that it would not take video clips.
But I understand that the next one will do that.
They just keep you upgrading every year don’t they?