*25* shots out of a pair of triple-As? Will they go flat that fast even shorted out?

Toasty.

I like the idea, but with this price and without a bigger sensor (not that the Sigmas do very well with theirs) I suspect the E-P1 and Panasonic micro-4/3 cameras are worth the premium. I'm still deciding, based on whether the sensor shift image stabiliser is worth the lack of sharpness on the Oly when used with a Leica adaptor.

Of course, if the Leica X1 is cheap enough, it'll be more competition - but somehow I doubt it will be. (Likewise I'd rather have an M9 than an E-P1 or GF1, but not as much as I'd rather have three grand's change.)