Does make me wonder why I have a silent option on my F4 (think it's more for the motor drive than anything else - just gives a fluttering sound) and dSLR's are noisier when there is no motor drive at all..

Just done a comparison between a Pentax SP1, a Nikon F4E and a D1x and the F4 was quieter (discluding the sound of motor drive) and I think the SP1 (Spotmatic) is slightly quieter than the D1x..

You'd think that mirror dampening would be more advanced than it is, or pelical mirrors would have been bettered since the Canon EOS1-RS and RT models to give brighter viewfinders (would also cut down on sensor dust if dust can't get to them..)

As for shutters, they can be made to be near enough silent - Leica have been doing that for years. Played with an M7 and could hardly hear the shutter being fired.

Just my tuppence worth.