More portable alternative to NEX7 ?

Hi,

I am making the move from smartphone+5 year-old p&s because I am not satisfied with the lousy quality of my holidays photographs. I have no aspirations of becoming a serious photographer but I will learn a bit about compositing and photography techniques so I am looking for something better than mirrorless entry-models.

Portability is important since I want to use it also in everyday situations but I also want it to be able to give produce good IQ (not alone but with my help) when photographing sky scrapers in New York or mosaics in the grandiose mosque domes of Istanbul.

So there you see my trade-off. I initially settled for a Nikon D7000 but then leart about mirrorless with APS-C sensors and found the NEX7 which seemed as good but with better portability. The internal flash and the tri-navigation is probably what stops me from equally going for an NEX5R (newer edition of NEX5/NEX5N, right?).

But I do hesitate that it might be a bit bulky, with the 18-55 lens that is included in the deal I am looking at, and I don't think I am good enough at photography yet to start buying extra lenses and stuff. I don't even know if pancake lenses can be used as replacements for 18-55 lenses. So now I am a bit at a loss.

If we stay at or below the pricepoint of the NEX 7, are there more portable alternatives that still have internal flash and APS-C sensors? With matching IQ?

I'd love to get some help on this matter.

Thanks!

/g