I never be a professional just a hobbies photo/video. But it seems logical for me, if someone in tight super budget would learn if videography is their passion then start with as low as GH1 with kit lens or one single 24/28mm manual lens. When they assure on videography then they could directly jump to the latest gear and skip all the intermediate like G7 etc. That is my humble opinion.

So Vitaliy - If we should avoid GH1 and GH2, then what are your list of recommendations?

@brudney

Nothing wrong, except that it is not handly and can sometimes cause weird behavior of some software.

I got my sony a5100 for 273 pounds last year. If you are not in a hurry, Amazon had it at that price several times during the black friday offer period. If you do not mind buying second hand, which I am guessing you don't, I would check ebay. I am sure some people will be selling theirs for less than that.

@brudney I'm not selling my three G7s, but neither do I ever take my GH2 out of the bag unless I need more than 12 cameras.
Almost as good as a GH4? Absolutely better at some things, but overall not as good as a GH4. Better for hyperfocal shots in good light. Better than the GH2.
As for serious, all I do every day is crank out videos, and, yes, the Note 4 is slightly better than the GH2, on balance. You can't put the Olly 75 on it for shallow DOF, but it out resolves the GH2 no problem.
Some of us in 1080p world think you need 4K because it gives you way better 1080p, some people don't think so. I see a big difference; you may see it different.

@camerahacks if you are not going to do video and just want to learn the basics of photography, as well as take portraits of family and friends, sad to say Olympus or Fuji are both better stills cams. I picked up several Olly m4/3 cams cheap on eBay used for my students and they are a super value. They have built in IS, which the older Panasonics do not. There's a huge array of things you can add on to the m4/3 system which is why a lot of us use it, but you have lots of choices. I just use the Panasonics because I do 90 percent video.
Whatever you get, if you are using it to learn photography, make sure it has full manual controls and can do raw stills.

I would advise G6 over GH2, having owned both

The G6 is OK, but if you can get it with its original kit lens, the 14-42 II Lens (there are several of these, this is the small "mark II" version, that's a very good lens for a kit lens with IS built into the lens.
The G6 can take most old lenses with a cheap $14 adapter from eBay. However, unlike Olympus, your old MF lenses will not be stabilized, which is why at the low price range you should consider the Olympus bodies, especially for photos.

Check G7 here for $500 with 14-42 lens. Great camera for your needs. Get this, maybe someone will cover half for you as an early Christmas gift (yo Dad, help the lad out with a great starter camera!).

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1148283-REG/panasonic_dmc_g7ks_lumix_dmc_g7_mirrorless_micro.html/?c3ch=CSE&c3nid=98

@camerahacks

You don't need to ask anyone or sit on forums, you go and find work, any work, dirty or such, if you really into it.

Vitaliy, with all due respect, the camera I'll be purchasing will be from savings that I've built whilst doing the odd jobs....I don't know if ur aware, but it's illegal in uk for kids under 16 to work....however, voluntary or odd-jobs are fine.

Anyway guys, I hope u can forgive me as I've gone with my heart and just chosen the camera that I like....it's a Fuji X-M1