can anyone comment on how good the microphone is for recording voice conversations - I use my current HTC a lot for dictation, but wondering how the waterproofing might affect the microphone's ability to do this on the sony.

I believe, the back of this phone is not made of glass. It is just plastic. Sony wrote it actually in a new released White-Paper.

http://dl-developer.sonymobile.com/documentation/whitepapers/Xperia_Z1_Compact_D5503_WP_4.pdf

QuoteThe front side of the phone is made of durable tempered glass, and the back side is made of high-rigid
plastic sheet, reflecting the world around you while allowing you to get so immersed in content that the
hardware virtually disappears.

 >:( it sucks with that fucking small display , they should do something like 4,6 or 4,7 -_-

Goes to show that Full HD resolutiion and oversized screens DO come at a significant battery cost.  The endurance of the Z1 Compact is downright impressive.  Hopefully people will purchase this device and give Android users some size options for early adopters that still crave performance.