Are you able to elaborate a little on the suggestion? They're all a good-looking bunch, but I'm too cynical to be swayed on the looks alone (else I'd have already picked one up, oops!).
My missus didnt get on with all the physical dials etc of the Fujis and much preferred the smaller M43, especially with touch AF and flappy screens as she wouldnt bother with a EVF/OVF, that was my preference. Built in flash is always good to have. The PEN EPL5 actually seems ideal for the both of you, only thing missing is the EVF, but thats optional.
NEX6 is also fantastic but the lens choice was a no go for me as M43 have more/smaller/better lenses available.
Does the EPL5 have the flash accessory in the box by chance? I know stuff like that can vary by region - if there is one, what's it like?
With the lenses available, and the mounting system specifically, are they needing an adaptor at all, or is it straight-on and go?
Is the start-up time okay?
Yes, the EPL5 has a flash in the box, so does the not much bigger OMD EM5 if you want the built in viewfinder. No adapter, as long as a lens is sold as M43, it will fit on an Olympus M43 camera. You can use loads of manual focus 'legacy' lenses with M43 via adapter from virtually any manufacturer.
Snapsort will have all the spec info you need when comparing cameras.
For example...
Canon 350D vs Olympus PEN E-PL5 - Our Analysis
Startup time on these new cameras are pretty much instant, ~0.7 second for the EPL5.
More info regarding buffer etc here...
Olympus E-PL5 Review - Performance
You can pickup an EPL5 for around £299 used with a kit lens, they will come with dealer warranty (usually 6 months). That leaves enough for a low light prime like the 20mm 1.7 (35mm equiv of 40mm) or a portrait 45mm 1.8 (35mm equiv of 90mm) (around £150-170 used). So youll even have change for a fast SD card and a new bag.
As others have said - Olympus or Panasonic Micro 4/3s are stonkingly good cameras. Good for P&S and great range of lenses at good prices.
I have a Lumix G5 and love it (though I would looks at the G6). Holds like a small DSLR so very comfortable and good features and quality. I took a small bag withmy G5, 3 lenses (20mm pancake, 14-42mm & 45-150mm) plus batterys, SD cards, filters and my Panny TZ10 on safari. Hardly weighed anything and was able to carry it around eveywhere data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Most people here would say the Olympus is the better camera, especially picture quality wise, but I held them all and the G5/G6 was easily the most comfortable and the built in EVF is a great addition.
Think so far I've got all my kit and accessories for under £800 data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Another thumbs up for the M4/3 suggestions here - I've only recently got my hands on an OMD-E-M10 and I'm very impressed - definitely not a "straight replacement" (but it's certainly the closest yet and I can't wait to see the next generation of on-sensor Hybrid AF ) for my DSLR gear but a very portable alternative if ultimate DOF control and super-fast AF aren't required.