Well, Leica knows how to make ane exclusive camera! They just announced the Leica T APS-C mirrorless camera ($1800 here at BHphoto). It has the same 16 Megapixel sensor of the $398 NEX-3n. But the NEX-3n comes with a lens while the Leica T does not. And the (slow!) Leica T kit zoom costs another $1750.
Just like Hasselblad (but admittedly much better than the latter) Leica tries to appeal the luxury market. It’s a kind of market Sony has no access and were usually the brand is what matters. Obviously, the Leica T has some appealing features (mainly design and build quality) but sometimes I wonder how Leica can survive focusing on that small niche market.
Anyway, what matters to know is that here we have another Sony sensor inside a new camera. Sony may not completely successful in selling cameras but they are incredibly successful in selling sensors.