Recently there has been a flurry of activity here discussing the merits of DXO lab reports.
Certainly their findings are valuable as they would indicate the best performance attainable by either a sensor, lens or the two in combination under that test conditions.
Some here, seem to use the DXO results as a sort of a Bible, yet others don't seem to view the DXO tests as an accurate indicator of actual camera performance.
And most of the conprehensive camera testers refer to DXO results throughout their tests, but their overall performance conclusions don't always parallel the DXO tests.

So my question to you is: How important are the DXO lab scores to you when it comes time to pick a camera or a lens or recommend one.
Do you use the DXO results as your primary decision making tool, or do you look at other tests as well, or do you rely on some other means to pick new equipment? How do YOU feel about DXO?! ;-)
SS

Last year I had the same question. I found a Panasonic 100-300 lens with stabilization built in. (The so called "equivalent" is 200-600). For a camera, I bought the Panasonic GX7.

As long lenses go, the 100-300 is not expensive at $600. At Yellowstone NP I stood next to people with $15,000 Canons shooting some wolves. The picture in the viewfinders were about the same. Their prints are probably better, but I like what I got with my $1300 system.

Two favorites that might give you an idea of what it will do were shot in the The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and are attached. The camera was on a monopod with the foot tucked behind my belt. Pictures were shot RAW, processed and downsized for uploading.