>>4345773>budgetSet aside 15-20% for accessories such as your bag, lens hoods, screen protectors, basic UV filter etc. At least a basic tripod is recommended unless you're always going to be on the move / won't ever carry one. Leaves you with like $800 to splash on your camera and lens. If you're going to get an Interchangable Lens Camera, I don't see the point of only having one lens, so ideally keep some bennies aside for a used lens that is different enough to whatever kit lens you get.
>landscapes of parks and stuffYou'll want some sort of short to medium telephoto lens, ideally a zoom as landscapes are one of the few times a zoom is genuinely useful without being mogged by a prime, since framing landscapes can be a real pain without some zoom functionality.
>I wanted a M43 specifically for it being lightweight and smallDon't buy into the classic "muh grams" cope. I own an M43 camera and it's great, but wouldn't recommend it unless you're going to be super casual and keep the budget low. $1000USD is defintely past what I would consider for M43 gear. You can get APS-C cameras that are just as light and small these days so long as you pick appropriate lenses, with the added benefit of not being completely stomped in dynamic range and noise. For example, my Canon R50.
If you are concerned about size, my APS-C kit:
Canon R50 $600 w/ kit lens (RFS-18-45 IS) (used)
Telephoto lens (EFS 55-250mm IS STM) $150 +EF adapter $50
+ Other great lenses that I use but would start to go above $1000USD all in all. I would grab the above to start off any day of the week.
OR go M43 and buy used:
Olympus E-PL10/9/8/7 / Panasonic G7 $250-400
Kit lens (Oly 18-42mm etc.) $60-100
Telephoto lens (Oly 40-150mm) $100-200
M43 cameras have a smaller size due to a smaller sensor and flange. Do a bit of research into the differences. There's far too much shit to disucss but if you're going to be a casual photographer and keep the cost low then M43 is viable.
