[View:http://www.robgalbraith.com/public_files/Canon_Full-Frame_CMOS_White_Paper.pdf]











"With all these benefits, it’s only natural to wonder why all DSLR cameras aren’t full-frame. Ultimately, the issue is money. Research, development, manufacturing and distribution costs are all independent of camera size, so a smaller camera will not cost appreciably less than a larger one for any of these reasons. The end cost difference between small mirrors, mirror boxes, chassis and so forth, and larger ones is not that great. The difference is the sensor."


Interesting this is Canon's thinking. If it weren't for the cost difference all cameras might be full frame.


And I think this paper addresses the "Noise" argument as well.