I just received an anonymous tip with the following rumor regarding the Olympus E-3 replacement:
"A brand new E-System DSLR poised to replace the E-3 will be officially announced on September 14 2010, which means Photokina time this year. The in-house project code for this camera is E-D1. There will be some significant technological statements made by this camera. The expected cost of this camera will be similar to when the E-3 was first launched. If you look back to those days (August 2007), you will find out what the expected price is in your own country. I cannot reveal anymore than what you now know.
As for the demise of the E-System, the competition won't be happy to hear that this will continue alongside the Micro FourThirds Pen-series. Therefore there's no need to talk about getting rid of your Olympus FourThirds equipment.
As to whether both systems will merge, yes, it will very soon do that. For those who talk about a professional Micro FourThirds, it is on the cards but whether or not there is a market demand that will justify Olympus releasing it is another matter altogether. Sure, a Micro FourThirds Pen model with a built-in EVF as well as professional-type features will find its way into the market. In fact I believe that if Olympus can get their act together for 2010, you could see this as a finished product and in black. Otherwise expect it sometime early Q1 2011. Make sure you realise that I'm saying: professional-type does not mean professional-class camera. It just has similar features but it will not be built like, say, the E-3. Nonetheless it will still have the traditional Olympus build quality like many of you have come to expect.
We know that our Pen lenses presently are on the optically slow side. There are plans to introduce the kind of lenses that serious users are looking for. The idea here is to first 'embed' the system, give it a chance to take off in the market, introduce it to the greater mass public and to try to appeal to them. Faster lenses are always possible and in time we will begin to bring them on. There are also other 'factors' why faster lenses are not out yet but it's not possible to talk about them here.
Summary 1: E-System will not discontinue.
Summary 2: Micro FourThirds Pen-series will not replace E-System
Summary 3: E-System will eventually go mirror-less
Summary 4: New replacement for E-3 will be announced this Photokina"
