Dnenciu: True, a professional camera does not have to be necessarily better in IQ than an amateur one. I mentioned in my post that I liked better the images from the 5D than those of the D3 or D700. I could be wrong but that is my perception. I am sorry I cannot discuss quality among Canon cameras since I only use Nikon bodies and lenses. My statement about the 5D comes from looking at pictures not actually using the camera.
"Nobody in his right mind would buy a 8k or even a 3k camera and shoot JPEG." You said that, I did not. Many professional wedding photographers I know shoot strictly JPEG with their D2X and D3. I shoot RAW but I would be lying if I said I can see the difference in prints, assuming sharpening is not done in camera when shooting JPEG.
As I said, I have no experience with Canon products but I know photographers using them and they are happy.
On regard to the D3X that is a camera I have no use for nor the money to buy it. I still use a D1X for macros and landscape photography and a D2H for those rare occasions when I shoot action or wildlife. If I travel, I usually take my D70S and kit lenses to make the load lighter and yes, I believe those cheap kit lenses are capable of very nice images.
William Rodriguez
Miami, Florida.