Originally Posted by and 
I guess the usefullness of LV depends on the implementation, I like the sound of Nikons implementation, in particular that you can zoom in so much, combined with the high resolution lcd. dont really need LV myself though... but I would love a high res lcd for checking image sharpness
A better LCD is nice but there is NO LCD on the planet that will compare with the view on a decent laptop. I learned a while back that in a studio anything critical needs to be uploaded and looked at on a big screen, at least for exposure pusposes. For critical focus I still find a well adjusted OVF better than any LCD finder or rear panel.
In the meantime I just feel cameras are becoming gadgets and losing their functional appeal. Its the main reason I would never buy a D3. Far too many features. I almost laughed out loud reading the spec sheet. Its verging on the absurd. And as for the 1DS mk 3 I would love to see a sensor like than in a cheaper body - I expect the "old" 16mp sensor will end up in the replacement fopr the 5d.
For landscape AND studio work the basic image quality is by far the most important issue. For reportage and sport I would argue it is not. Its nice to get both in the same camera, but it means you are paying for something you hardly ever use or compromising on something that would actually be more useful.