Rumours from the leaked Olympus marketing PDF file states that there will be a 40D from Canon and a D300 from Nikon that goes head to head with the E-P1. I'm sure Nikon will release details of their D300 soon.

By the way, D80 is way out of the league of 40D.

Most probably they are obsoleting 30D, that's why you can't see them in shelves anymore.

Expect loads of 2nd hand 30D in the market and that should be good news for you.

Don't compare with FF lar. Both are different levels. When got new FF like the 1Ds Mark III, then you will compare with MF.

I also saw my friend's wedding photographer using 5D to shoot. He's lucky to get such a pro user. Some charge damn high but only use 400D or D70s.

Actually there is a big difference between 12-bit and 14-bit processing. 14-bit data processing has 4 times the information than 12-bit data processing.

Your calculation is correct but your assumption is wrong. There is a huge difference when it comes to photo processing with that 2 extra bits. You'll get higher dynamic range and better noise control just to say the least.

If you think that there is no difference to the eyes, then you don't need a dSLR, right? Might as well just stick to camera phones since they use maybe 8-bits processing only and won't be different with 12-bits, right?

Well, I've seen the quality too. Of course it is worth the money he paid. What I'm comparing is price wise to be the same, you might not get such photographers who invest that much into their equipment. I've seen people paying RM8k for a package and get a photo shoot using a 400D. Which would you prefer? 5D or 400D?

I think it's just a metaphor.

Live view is meant to remove the problem of taking pictures in weird angles. Usually macros or floor level shots which mostly consist of landscape or interior shots. You don't need the speed to capture these moments. If you use the live view on a dSLR just like on a P&S, then you are not smart enough to use a dSLR. Go back to P&S newbie.