I was interested in the X-E1 + 18-55mm for a while, but the reason why I backed off is because I realised that it wouldn't directly replace anything that I already had (including an E-M5), and I really didn't need another camera with that kind of pricetag. I think that the closest match would have been my Canon G1X, and I wasn't going to sell that in favour of the Fuji. I was looking at the X-E1 as more of a back-to-basics camera.

The E-M5 is one of those cameras that makes just about everything seem easy. It's not the camera that I engage with the best, but it's the camera that I feel confident will deliver in just about any situation that I might find myself in.

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Nic
E-M5, GH1
Flickr Photostream
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These are some great points, Nic. As much as I'm enjoying the X-E1 in some ways I wish I had stuck with one system, it makes it easier to know which camera to grab for a given trip. I know, I know, first world problems

Seriously though, because the two do overlap to a certain extent I actually had to think long and carefully about when each would get used before I bought into the X-series. For one thing, I'm not planning to buy a whole set of lenses - probably just one more which is the 56mm f/1.4, for portraits and such using the Fuji's more shallow DoF advantage. My logic is/was if I keep all my speciality lenses on m4/3 then I have one reliable, complete system for everything and an X-E1 on the side for when I'm in the mood to shoot differently.

At the end of the day it's like you said - it's all about the confidence the camera will deliver consistently.

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

Hey! Same first world problems here, just a different bunch of cameras to choose from

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Nic
E-M5, GH1
Flickr Photostream
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Hate to repeat the same themes but I do have both.

The E-M5 is a great athletic camera that can do many things very well. The lens selection is great. It can get the job done most of the time and operates like a charm after you read the manual 8 times.

The X-E1 is a simpler camera with simpler AF,but quite insane image processing. Ok, the RAW workflow is currently crippled, but SOOC JPEGS can be catered to your taste like a science. I thought I'd never feel ok with JPEGS until this. The X-E1 screams to be picked up and held. It is as a very rewarding photography experience.

If I only had to choose one system, it would be around a D600. Oops!

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E-M5 | M. Zuiko 45mm f/1.8 | Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 | Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8

Flickr

Of course the flip side is (and not specifically referring to the X-E1 here); sometimes a camera that might have a smaller sweet spot for IQ, or may have some interface or operational difficulties, can be more satisfying to use when you get it right...

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Nic
E-M5, GH1
Flickr Photostream
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Also true... I have definitely been annoyed to discover I've taken out of focus shots with the X-E1 when I get home. Then again one of my favorite shots of my wife was taken my first day out with the X-E1 & 35mm:



Or there's this shot from a few days ago of our friend at their annual holiday party:



I've gotten many good shots on m4/3, and more reliably so than the Fuji... but it's the way the Fuji can hit the sweet spot combined with the enjoyable handling that makes me keep wanting to go back for more. I've felt the same way since I first tried the X100, but there were a few missing elements the X-E1 nails.

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

Hrm, none of this is probably very helpful for Jon F's question is it

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500px | flickr

“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” -- Dorothea Lange

Actually, it is . . . but all roads lead to buying both. (and a D600)

Another way to look at it: I think I am trying to base the decision on "wow photos" which is not especially practical. If I really thought the images would be similar or very close, I would go with the OMD for versatility, and I like the dslr-like handling.

Just played with both again today. From a handling standpoint, I really like the OMD. It would be an easy decision if I was confident the oly (with Pana 12-35 2.8) image quality would be in the ballpark of the new Fuji. Thanks all for the links and advice!

I wanted(still do want) an X-E1, because it reminds me so much of the 35mm camera gear I learned on. I figured that the IQ isn't enough different between the X-E1 and E-M5 for that to be a critical difference. I eventually went with the E-M5 because of the environmental resistance. I have a D300 also and I've always liked not having to worry about it. No matter what the weather was, if I could make it out, so could my D300. I wanted that in my mFT equipment as well.

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Camera gear - because money's NOT gonna burn itself.