Yeah, that is the beauty of a large sensor camera you can always crops your pics nicely and still have an overall small camera for day to day use. I like the Sony Clear Zoom which really gives you a 7.2x lens, twice the amount if you drop it to 10M. Then you got a pocket super zoom camera. LOL
If you need some serious zoom, check out the new FZ200 with full range F2.8.
Admittedly a high IQ is important but the poor zoom lets it down for me as well as the lack of the swivel screen. The hot shoe also is not important as I use a little slave flash that's triggered by the camera flash when needed.
On the other hand it does have a big sensor for such a small camera. Decisions decisions.
You know what, I think you have convinced me!

you actually answered the questions I have had running around my head since last night, it's all about IQ. I have to travel 10K Km to get to Japan in October so I really want to travel light. Reducing the camera weight means I can take my Macbook Air instead of my iPad on which the uploading of files is a PITA. If as you say on Clear view the zoom is 7.1x then that already equals the max on the P7700 (which needs a lens cap). Even the Nikon is still only using a 1/1.7" sensor compared with the 1" one on the Sony.
Nice to see there's an HDR function hidden amongst the menus.
P7700 not available till late September, G14 who knows. RX 100 available now! If there's no G14 smaller lighter and brighter than the G14 by the 19th and Photokina then the Sony gets my money.
If you need some serious zoom, check out the new FZ200 with full range F2.8.
thanks dont need super zoom just just good IQ.