Can't seem to find the right m4/3 camera

Tom Caldwell wrote:

Well said Jonathan, and I am still buying Panasonic bodies as well Despite them being so out of date .... must be mad.

although my newly acquired GX9 seems like it will take good pictures, the size difference between it and my GM1 really is more than I was expecting.  I've kept a casual eye out for a GM5 for a long time to have a really compact camera with a VF, but it seems they rarely come up for sale.

Part of the rational behind the GX9, besides wanting to try the new sensor and image processing, was to get a smallish camera with a built in VF and flash.  This really is the only camera that meets those requirements although it is a bit big.  Although the GM5 lacks a BIF it has the VF and I am finding I shoot less and less flash with having a few primes to use in lower light although lack of IBIS makes the GMs a little less useful here.  Personally I would have liked a little smaller camera than the GX9 and maybe given up the tilting VF and a few other things for it being smaller/lighter.

My dream m43 camera would be a GM5 with a BIF instead of the flash shoe (who really puts big flashes on such tiny cameras?).  I'll be realistic and forgo IBIS since that is going to make the camera big and would live with non-tilting rear screen to keep the size down.  The only other thing they need to make is a prime of about 17-20m FL that has IS.  I'll be realistic here also and say I am fine with f2.8, but f2 would be nice if possible.  Imagine a GM5 with updated electronics and a tiny stabilized small prime.  Sounds like heaven to me.

Panasonic (or Oly) are you listening?   ….   crickets chirping