I think the phrase little loss of quality means there will be some degradation... For the web it is of little significance, but in printing this may not be the case as pointed out by Adam as there will be a reduction in detail...  While smaller file size will write to the cards faster to the camera's memory buffer Martin,  this does not mean the camera will be able to capture more shots by speeding up the frame rate at least not in Canon cameras, an option I would like to have seen in the new 5DMK11.. Withe 21 million pix it would have been nice to have say a compressed sRaw file at 6 pr 7 fps .. If Nikon have cracked that then that may be good news ..

Danny O'Byrne  http://www.digitalartzone.co.uk/

"All the technique in the world doesn't compensate for the inability to notice" Eliott Erwitt