prices are going south for FF cameras now so its imminent there will be a model targeted at the mass consumer model. I am not sure what will be stripped to get the pricepoint but the thing is, would you pay for a full frame but less features compared to crop camera?
The masses are feeling that the smaller the sensor, the easier to get good pictures. Just look at the number of people buying digital compact cameras and some even thinks that their mobile phone suffice.
Full frame should be made available to anyone. Just like P&S 35mm film cam for everyone else without an EOS 1, F-1, F3, blah blah... they are all still 35mm.
It's about time we made it a fair game lolz.
Question is whether everyone needs full frame.... and what is full frame? Four thirds, I still get my picture. APS-H, I still get my picture. APS-C, I stilll get my picture. 135 format film, I still get my picture. DX, I still get my picture. FX, I still get my picture. Full-frame (sic) I still get my picture. 6x4.5, I still get my picture. 6x6, I still get my picture. 6x7, I still get my picture. 6x9, I still get my picture. 4"x5", I still get my picture. 8"x10", I still get my picture.
So what's the difference? Can the masses tell? Full frame only makes sense to those who were transiting from 135 format film to digital. Otherwise, each format should be deemed as a full frame in it's own right. So don't let the marketing people confuse us.
As long as the person has no prior experience with 135-format film, there should not be much of a motivation to push for full frame for the masses because it's simply more expensive, both in terms of sensor as well as optics.