Thanks Pascal. That's exactly what I needed to know. The size of the Olympus 25/2.8 is one of the main reasons I want it. I'm willing to leave a bit of performance on the table to get that nice small package, cause there are many times I'd be happy to carry my E-410+25/2.8, but wouldn't dream of bringing along my 5D+50/1.8. So long as the pancake is in the same ballpark as other larger (but still small) lenses, I'm happy.
I'm curious about flare because when I go out with just a 50mm prime I tend to snap handheld panos, up to the AOV you might get from a 24mm lens. Flare (and contrast losses from direct sun) can really wreak havoc with those shots! Sounds like the distortion from this lens might make that kind of shooting difficult anyway.
I too have bought an e-420, pancake, 14-42, 40-150 on order as a vacation / travel camera. I didn't want to lug my 5D and a few lenses around and while my G9 is capable of amazing images given it's size, the 35mm wide end limitation is unacceptable.
I'm on vacation in a week in Hawaii. I'll see how the system works.
