The SONY an APS-C sensor (23.4mm) which is slightly larger than the Panasonic's I believe and also manual focus if you need it...
Yes I noticed the sensor, that's what makes it so tempting to me. But I think it's more like twice the size, which means lenses with equivalent zooms will also be larger. A 1" sensor seems to strike the compromise I am after, vs the 1/2.3 that's so common in compacts.
Btw, my decision time (placing an order) is almost upon me. If anybody subsequently manages, in the intervening weeks leading to delivery, to persuade me I've made the wrong choice, don't expect me to be too grateful...
One more thing I'll confess. I've got around to whittling down the photos from our recent Hebridean tour, the best of the bunch straightened and corrcted and on the server. All taken on our 8 year old, very basic, pretty cheap compact, TZ5. Viewed on the big 55" telly, even close up, it's hard to imagine they could be any better with any other camera.