Yeah I'd also prefer to have a few cards instead of one big one. If your planing on doing fast photography (eg, motorsport) make sure you get a fast memory card too.
simplelogik, I conducted the tests in the same manner as you and had the same results. I also noticed that it had rather poor AF in low light situations. And I found out that other owners had the same problem. When I got more time I'll conduct the same test with more light.
In the mean time I took the camera out and took some happy snaps. The pelican pics turned out alright. But the other pics I took, I was stupid and forgot to change the ISO. So the other pics do have a bit of graining because of the ISO400 setting. It's the first 4 pics in my SAU gallery and the EXIF details are in the comments box.
http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/photopost.../500/ppuser/183