I'm not sure if you tried it but the E-3 had a 'Gradation' feature, it won't work with RAW files unless you process using Olympus software but will work on jpegs (it needs to be set to 'Auto' the other settings being Normal, High Key, Low Key

Likewise the Noise reduction (actually called Noise Filter, Noise Reduction refers to Dark Frame subtraction, it's effectively 'Off' if you shoot RAW and don't process in Olympus software. Shooting jpeg it can be set to Off, Low, Standard, High

None of which makes your opinion any less valid, just wanted to point it out in case you weren't aware of it.

Of course the sensor being smaller has certain limitations, that said you'd have needed a 300mm lens on the other cameras to achive the same FOV as using the 50-200 on the E-3. It isn't a particularly small lens, try the 70-300 (effectively 600mm) though and compare with an APS-C lens giving a similar FOV.

Richard