I agree. Axis players see Panther as this anti every tank monster while in the reality it should only be built against heavy armour, against which it performs extremely well due to its reliable penetration. Against medium tanks however, Panther's rate of fire makes it ineffective. You really are better off building PzIV and StuGs respectively.
Which leaves the Panther exactly one unit to counter: The IS-2.
KV-1, KV-2, KV-8, ISU-152, Churchill, Croc, AVRE, Pershing can all be penetrated easily by StuGs and still somewhat by Panzer IVs. Take into account that there are usually more Panzer IVs and/ or StuGs available and the Panther serves no purpose.
What Axis players want is a vehicle that fulfills its AT role. Not a vehicle that counters one unit in the vehicle bracket and performs meh versus the others. It´s weakness (Ostheer one) is the lack of good AI. Better than what SU-85, Firely and Jackson have yet those have 60 range and are mobile AT guns.