The NEX is in a totally different class from the others. It won't be a compact though, once you mount the lenses on it. On the other hand, both the HX5 and LZ7/TZ10 are excellent compacts. The hx5 has a CMOS sensor, so theoretically it should take better low light photos. Practically, both are good and produce excellent photos in good light. In low light, both are equally bad. The panasonic has better manual controls. Sony takes better hd video.