What separates these two outstanding DSLRs from anything else on the market is that they offer 20+ Megapixel resolution, full frame sensors, standard body size, and all at a price under US $3,000. This essentially makes them the first cameras since the beginning of the digital revolution some ten years ago to combine the required attributes for an everyday professional camera – manageable size, large bright viewfinder, resolution adequate for almost any application, and a price that is in reach for most serious photographers.
Yes, the Canon 1Ds MKIII and its predecessors paved the way, and the Nikon D3 in 2007 met the challenge part way for that company (only lacking high resolution), but offering full-frame along with world-beating high ISO performance. But, these cameras are very large and very expensive. Most photographers will likely get value for the money, to be sure, but these are simply too big and too expensive for many people.
