Need Advice. X-E1 or OMD EM5 as FIRST SERIOUS CAMERA to learn Photography?

DR5ZEE wrote:

Hi Guys, Im new to this forum. I have been an avid digital camera and phone camera photographer for the past couple of years. I know all the basics about composing a photograph and after many years I have saved enough to buy myself a high quality camera and I would love to go mirrorless. Ive had enough practice with my friends SLR cameras (which they use in the auto mode only!) and they agree that im good at it and hence the encouragement to get one.

I have shortlisted two, The Fujifilm X-E1 and the OMD EM5. Both have their pros and cons and trust me, I have read every single review on these two available on the internet, even spent sleepless nights thinking about it. I love the X-E1 for its IQ, built in flash and the manual controls and dials and also the kit lens is very good but I know the Af is slower and the rear screen isnt all that great. In fact I read a lot of users, even professional photographers sell their X-pro1/X-E1 and opt for the OMD because of this. Are there any improvements in the af after the new firmwae v1.04 update? The OMD, on the other hand, is a brilliant camera too. Camera of the year 2012 in so many blogs and photography related websites. I especially love the 5 axis image stabilization, weather sealing ( actually it rarely rains in my place, so this feature is not really a big deal for me) and the tilting and touch screen and the crazy lens selection available but the trade off is a little lesser IQ than the Fuji (ive compared hundreds of pictures on review websites and flickr, so dont tell me the iq of the oly matches that of the fuji), and also a greater DOF, which might be an advantage but since i would love to shoot with shallow DOF, i would need faster primes. And the lack of built in flash means I might not have it in handy most of the time plus attaching it makes the whole camera look ugly. And the kit lens is crap, from what ive heard and read.

Now which of these two excellent cameras will make me a better photographer is the question I ask. Since Im just starting out, my opinion is the Fuji will make me work harder, encouraging me to shoot more in manual mode and will teach me more about composing and framing than the OMD. The OMD on the other hand will make me shoot more since its zippy and highly customizable. Plus i only plan to get one prime lens to begin with ( the 35mm f1.4 for the Fuji or the pana-leica 25mm f1.4 for the Oly) My Heart is set on the X-E1 but my mind tells me to go for the OMD. Please help!