the same animal.

I have both an acoustic and an electric piano (don't even ask--let me just say that while the older child taught piano lessons on the acoustic the younger ones could do their practicing on the electric). I have never seen an electric piano that is the equivalent of a good acoustic.

That said, they are getting better all the time. Our piano teacher can tell if one of out kids has primarily been using the electric (weighted keys and all) and tells them to use the real piano.

So yes, there is a big difference, and there is a ton of difference between electric pianos--my boy just recently tried one and came back and said, "It sucks." And it was a very high-end one that was supposedly just like a real piano.

They are great for apartment living. They are great for being able to use headphones. They are great when space is an issue. They are convenient. They are great for a college dorm/apartment. But they are NOT the same as a real acoustic, and I would NOT recommend learning on one.