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

tedolf wrote:

Only learning about photography will make you a better photographer. Not buying a new camera.

It is a huge fallacy, one we see all the time where a begginer believes that getting a new camera will "make them a better photographer".

It is like suggesting that a new driver get a 400 HP Ferrari as their first "serious" car.

Clearly an invitation to disaster.

The two cameras you mentioned are the top end cameras of both manufacturers' range and are intended for experienced amature/professional photographers. They are very complex and frankly will baffle a beginner.

In fact, getting an overly complex camera will impede your ability to learn the basics of photography: DOF control, exposure control over high/low key scenes, control over focal lenght depth compression and expansion, utilization of negative space, etc. In particular, control over depth of field is something you could not have learned with the cameras you are currently using so this will be new to you and mastering it is not simple.

You would be much better served getting an entry level u 4/3 camera (e.g. E-pl2 or G3) for about $300.00 with kit lenses (which are fine-not "junk" as you stated) a moderate zoom (e.g Oly 40-150mm for $99.00) and a fast legacy 50mm manual focus lens with adapter for portraits (about $50.00). Using a manual lens with stop down focusing and a DOF scale on the lens is also the fastest most intuitive means of leanring to control DOF known to Mankind.

Then take a class, read a book or two or both. Then apply what you have learned with a camera that will not overwhelm you with complexity which an OM-d or X-e1 surely will.

You can always buy a top of the line camera later after you have mastered your craft. Your lenses will still be usable and you can sell the old body for close to what you paid for it.

TEdolph