Not really sure if you're have had any more 'control' over colours with any other camera - why do you think that's an issue?
What I really like is the angle you've taken it from and the softness that's coming from the trees in the centre - that haziness for want of a better word.
It's a very pleasing photograph, my only critique might be that the area of sunlight seems slightly blown out - so I might have been inclined to under expose it by say a third of a stop - of course that wouldn't help you with your desire not to have the shadows look like - erm, shadows?
Good photo, enjoyed looking at it, thanks for sharing, keep it up, ~~shoot raw~~.
Edit - missed the fact it can't shoot raw