From my point of view (TM Leica) the right price is the price that maximizes profits for the company. I am not sure how elastic the S2 market might be, so it will probably be forced into "Leica scale" regions of manufacturing volume such that many of the possible economies of scale will not be available to the company. Given that, and the necessary amortization of R&D expense over the units sold plus waranty reserve, which seems pretty large in Leica's case, means that the price will be on the high side.
The other option for Leica, and it is a very big risk, is to assume that the market is quite elastic, so it will assume a lower price point at a larger manufacturing volume.
That assumption will very significantly drive up the cost of manufacturing facilities, unless that manufacturing out-sourced to the usual flexible manufacturing suspects. In any case, manufacturing tooling costs would be much higher essentially driving R&D expense much higher.
This would be a potentially fatal assumption, which I do not think they will take since my landsmen are a fairly conservative bunch.
So, the only question in my mind is will the camera deliver in its complete package, value that enough folks think is worth the coin. Looking at the low volume high cost alternatives out there, I would reach the conclusion that pricing at a premium to Phase/Phamiya or Hassy at similar resolutions would be the most likely result.
I wonder if thi is the reason for Phase to buy a controlling interest in Mamiya? hmmmm, yup that must be it along with the disappearance of other platforms that Phase might sell backs for.
So my $0.25 bet is that there is a good chance that Phamiya comes out with a more integrated solution. BTW, it is still possible to make such a camera sensor upgradable with only a minor penalty in ergonomics if the processing circuitry, power, and memory were to be integrated into the body. If I were running that show, that is what I would pursue, and quickly.
-bob