Then it's just simply a design thing? If so. for $8000.00 I expect anyones camera to be just as fast as another similarly priced one. Did Sony realize this when they priced the A900? I surely think maybe I could do with the 12 bit images vs 14 bit ones for $5000.00 less? This is exactly the point I was trying to make. Sorry if that sounded negative.

I have so too much invested in Nikon equipment to just switch to anything else. However I do own and use some Canon and Sony cameras. I am satisfied with them for the use I bought them for.

At this point I will not be adding to the Nikon collection with the D3x unless it is so stunning in some form or fashion over the lower priced A900 or Canon 5D Mark II to make me forget that $5000.00 difference and the 14 bit speed thing.

I'm gonna wait until some actual users post their opinions on all three.

Thanks for the 12 bit vs 14 bit explanation, which by the way was pretty much like I understood it.