What does it offer that no-one else does, for a third the price?
Good question... The answer to it is really complex, it depends on the kind of use that one has in mind... For people that want a camera to do what they would also do with a Sony, it's not much that this Leica could provide them... But don't forget that Leica promotes this as a PRO camera... And if one things about it, it could provide a lot to pros...
1. A platform that would give them access to their ultra high quality leaf shutter lenses...
2. A high quality motion camera with the same very lenses
3. An alternative to an MFDB on a mini view camera that would have total electronic communication with (again) the same lenses (expect a new Sinar mini view camera -the size of an Actus- soon...
Think about it... A pro would only require 4-5 lenses and then an S, this and a mini view camera and perform all tasks they would ever perform (studio, still with movements, video, architecture, high speed strobe use, events, art ...you name it) yet with
minimal equipment, maximum of performance and all bought from the same company.