You will probably have to wait awhile for the price of the cameras with this new chipset to come down to affordable levels anyways. So you're still looking 3 to 5 years down the road. 5 years from now, there will be yet another latest and greatest to wait for. Now you'll be 10 years away....
I'm just buying my first digital camera this Christmas. I'm perfectly happy with using 35mm film. But then, I still use my turntable and play LPs more than I play CDs when listening to music. I also work for a camera company that makes both digital and film cameras. They offered a great employee discount, but the reason I'm buying is FINALLY, they come with printers you just put the camera on and out prints a picture. No PC involved, no taking to a photolab, very simple and convenient to use and very quick. Though I know they're going to clean me out on the consumables (paper and ink).
I'm also fully aware of the current research going on and the patents being filed. The next generation of cameras will surprise a few people.