Advice for newbie in m43- medium to long tele lens

Girco wrote:

Well, looks like I decided to go with 14-140 II (which cames for around 350€ as kit with new body, also if I don't like it, can be sold for little lower). After browsing thru forums and tests, opinion is than IQ is even better than all other 45-150/ 175/ 200; except F2,8, which are far out of my price range. As well than I get very versatile zoom range. If I feel need for more reach at long end, than I can add later pana 100-300. As well as maybe some fast prime in 40-60mm range for low light/ playing with bokeh.

You will not regret it.

I shoot 14~140 along with 12~35 f/2.8. As I prefer a sharp across the frame output, I stop down 12~35 to f/3.5~4 majority of the time. I can get similar across the frame sharpness from 14~140 wide open. The major advantage to me, to have a constant f/2.8 lens, is for low lighting condition that I need the speed only.

Regarding body still dilemma between GX80 (GX85) and G80 (G81/ G85). In features and IQ they looks the same, except form-factor. Price difference is about 200€ in both cases- in kit with 14-140 as well as body only. Just want to decide is better grip of G80 and weather proofing worth it. ( assume than 14-140 will be weather sealed version in kit with G80).

These are 2 very different products. I have strong demand on size, weight and portability so always prefer a GX (I used GX7 and GX85). The recent discount triggered GAS and bought G85 a few months ago.

GX85 is perfect on size. But ergonomically not good as G85, shooting with larger lens might not be the best (I had issue on 45~200 + GX7/85, YMMV). GX85 is not WR (small weight to me), no microphone port (for video), no Cine like profile for video, less control on video AF sensitivity, smaller evf on 4:3 shooting...

In a word G85 is a higher spec model than GX85 at a cost of larger and heavier.

IMHO it is a choice of portability vs higher spec.