Probably not a big deal but just about every single review on this camera goes out of its way to make a big deal about its metal construction. For instance, The very first page of the E-P1 preview at Dpreview is both misleading and in error in stating that the camera has all metal construction:
"Not that we're complaining; for years now we've been imploring every manufacturer who would listen to us to build a non-reflex interchangeable lens camera around a large sensor, and the E-P1's styling (and all metal construction) harks back to the glory days of the mechanical camera in the 60's and 70's, when men were men and cameras were built like swiss watches (a design trend started by Panasonic with cameras like the LC-1 and LX series, if truth be told)."
What bothers me most about this is not the use of plastic in the camera but the poor journalism, false promotion. I really thought this camera had a stainless steel construction by everything written.
Something tells me Olympus did the research and found that their plastic/composite has plenty of strength to hold things together, while reducing the weight of the camera. I doubt they anticipate people mounting big, heavy lenses on it. The metal body panels, if secured in an intelligent way, will likely bolster the strength as well and provides that nice, solid, cold feeling.
I agree that the journalism/promotion is misleading, but I don't see it as a show-stopper.
Unless you open the actual body, you can't tell the fabrication material; sure they said it was metal, but I am sure they also thought the same.
I don't see the big deal with the construction: The plastic-fantastic will certainly last as well as the metal core, and I welcome the lighter weight personally. The exterior is where the real beating will occur, and that is metal from what I understand.
dasrocket wrote:
Unless you open the actual body, you can't tell the fabrication material; sure they said it was metal, but I am sure they also thought the same.
Agreed, I'm sure journalists/bloggers thought that it was all-metal... not that it was responsible of them to say so, but I really doubt it was intentionally misleading.
It doesn't really bother me so much. As long as it can handle knocking around during commutes it's fine, actually better due to weight. As long as it's durable who cares? If they start crumbling I'll start complaining.
You know, the funny thing is that I have read reviews of the E-P1 where much is made about how heavy it feels for its size. Of course, that then is attributed to it's all metal construction.
dasrocket wrote:
Don't worry Thrice, Brainiac is not going to get one: He can't use it at 12,800, f.1.4
You guys kill me.. Can't wait for the next page. I love my M8 and my 5dII. They are so different in process up to exposure point that the photos are just different. I feel the photo in Leica mode and shoot for consistency in Canon mode. I print more of my Leica shots for my own walls. I get paid with my Canon shots.
I think you earn the photo with the Leica. It is a joy to use.
Savarin wrote:
You guys kill me.. Can't wait for the next page. I love my M8 and my 5dII. They are so different in process up to exposure point that the photos are just different. I feel the photo in Leica mode and shoot for consistency in Canon mode. I print more of my Leica shots for my own walls. I get paid with my Canon shots.
I think you earn the photo with the Leica. It is a joy to use.
I feel the same for my 1D classsic and my OM-1, but the XSi sees more use when the light is not that well-controlled.
I suppose it was written with a twinkle in his eye. Anyway, it's not a very small and light camera. But still very nice. 
. Can't wait for the next page. I love my M8 and my 5dII. They are so different in process up to exposure point that the photos are just different. I feel the photo in Leica mode and shoot for consistency in Canon mode. I print more of my Leica shots for my own walls. I get paid with my Canon shots.