I've used both on trails, and for your situation, travel zooms are basically about balancing weight against focal range. Since hiking means your back will thank you for being light, I highkey recommend the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH. POWER O.I.S. cuz that extra reach is amazing! It's super light and honestly the sharpness is actually pretty impressive for such a huge range... I love it!!

Just catching up, honestly I've broken too many expensive lenses on trails to risk that Leica... way too much cash to lose on a rock!

• Pro tip: Check MPB for a used Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.
• It's basically as sharp as the 14-140mm but cheaper, usually under $150.
• Lesson learned: cheap and light is better for hiking mishaps tho!

Saw this earlier but just getting a sec to reply. @Reply #3 - good point! If you are hiking, weather sealing is basically non-negotiable for me. I have had my gear out in some nasty drizzle and having a sealed lens means one less thing to stress about. Since you want reliability without breaking the bank, here is what I have used:

• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm f/4-5.6 II: This is my go-to. It is fully weather-sealed and super light. Sharpness is solid and it feels very sturdy for the price.
• Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3: If you want massive range, this is it. It is a bit heavier but the build quality is great and it is also sealed against the elements. I have been using the Oly 14-150 for years on my Lumix body and I am super satisfied. It just works and I dont have to baby it on the trails. Definitely worth considering if you want that peace of mind.

Curious about one thing: what kind of trails are we talking about? Honestly, I am such a beginner and I was SO nervous taking my first setup out. I ended up getting a used lens for super cheap cuz I didnt wanna cry if I dropped it on a rock lol. It worked out great for my budget and realy saved me some stress!! But yeah, does weather sealing matter for ur trip??