[Klaus]

I have a hard time to believe that I'm the only one on the planet requiring a super-compact, weather-sealed mirrorless camera kit.

However, I give you that - Olympus & Panasonic sets are comparatively overpriced. Especially their cameras.
I reckon the "problem" is that the price for the sensor is insignificant compared to the rest (viewfinder, CPU/DSP, mechanics) by now - thus an M5 III can't be much cheaper than an EOS RP/Z6 if at all. As mentioned - that's comparable to a Mini Cooper.