Panzer IV H is the only unperked, remotely competitive tank.
T-34 racks up more perks kill for kill, and with the majority of folks camping at short ranges behind things, the HVAP makes it a 1-shot killer. Plus the sloped armor deflects a decent amount of shells (not all, I know).
I'd say it's not a 5k-standoff fire-reload-fire spammer, but it's still competitive.
IMO folks just hate going into the fight. They'd rather camp, and camping is hurt with a slow reload, eh?