In many ways I see micro fourthirds as the future of photography, just as I believe that for me the 2 options are either four thirds or full frame. I see a whole new spectrum of users who would be attracted to the Micro fourthirds mount. In all this G1 does offer a lot of camera for users, I think that it, like the E-30, is listed over priced, but I think that the market should correct this shortly. Also, I think that with this product Panasonic has a lot of promise, because unlike the very limited supply of L-10 cameras Panasonic is committed to being serious about the micro 4/3 market. All in all this camera should bring a lot of excitement to the camera world. It is a unique product, and I think that we will see in the next couple of years more companies attempting to copy the features found in micro four thirds.
What is the "Best Camera?"
Here again it has a lot to do with personal opinion. Let's take for example the Olympus E-330 and the Panasonic L-1. Both shared the same sensor, but I personally preferred the L1 over the E-330 because of the body style. I enjoyed the bouncing flash, and the shutter control on the L-1. I didn't like the viewfinder of either camera, though, at all. So much of these reviews just boils down to a personal taste, that I think reviewers need to be more honest in stating.
Out of the current generation of cameras the E-520, E-420, E-30, E-30, and the G1 we have a lot of choices. In nearly every regard the fourthirds system is as good or better than the crop sensors on the market. In some areas such as the high ISO, the D300 might be better, but in other areas such as extremely excellent lenses the fourthirds cameras excel. Even within the fourthirds world we have a wide variety of cameras and lenses to fit many different needs.
For a compact camera you have the choice of the E-420 or the G1 - the G1 offers many advantages over the E-420; large movable LCD, image stabilized lenses, better dynamic range, smaller lenses, but currently (though only for a limited time) a very limited number of lenses. The G1 is also nearly silent, even the focusing of the camera is much quieter than the offerings from Olympus. All in all the sensor from the G1 and E-30 performs very well. Currently the best high ISO camera in the system still remains the E-3, but the dynamic range from the E-30 and G-1 seems to be slightly better. Will I buy a G1? Probably not, I personally prefer the body of the E-4x0 over the G1, and the ability to use all my lenses without adapters. The E-4x0 feels good in my hands. I also really enjoy the flexibility in using the Super Control panel, and (though quite limited in my opinion) the optical viewfinder.
If a person is looking for a small camera the first real competitor to the E-4x0 in this market is the G1. No other company is producing anything which comes close in my opinion. Most small cameras range from ok quality to pure garbage. No matter how good you say X brand camera is it doesn't compete with an SLR - either glass is weak, shutter lag, poor dynamic range, etc. I haven't until the G1 found anything which can compete.
Some have been asking if I think that the Micro fourthirds will replace fourthirds. In practice I would say not in the foreseeable future. The Electronic viewfinder is good, but still an optical viewfinder is much better (but I suspect that will change in the next few generations of cameras just as digital has replaced film photography). Live view off a LCD has its place but it too cannot replace an optical viewfinder. Do I see four thirds as a dead end to be replaced by micro four thirds? Perhaps, but not for a long time. Four thirds, though in my opinion a very strong SLR standard, will eventually be replaced by something else. I don't see it as a dead end, if I did I wouldn't have invested $20,000 in lenses.
For a generation 1 camera, the G1 is a very good camera if you are looking for a step-up camera. I think that it will be a very good choice, as this camera is able to produce some very good results. Even the ability to go from automatic (Ai) to full manual controls is available as your photography skills increase.
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What is the "Best Camera?" 
If a person is looking for a small camera the first real competitor to the E-4x0 in this market is the G1. No other company is producing anything which comes close in my opinion. Most small cameras range from ok quality to pure garbage. No matter how good you say X brand camera is it doesn't compete with an SLR - either glass is weak, shutter lag, poor dynamic range, etc. I haven't until the G1 found anything which can compete. 
