I want to take wildlife/outdoor photos recreationally. I don’t want to get frustrated by photo quality, but I also don’t want to spend more than I need to. That being said I’m willing to consider expensive equipment, but only if it benefits my needs. Does anyone have some canned recommendations?
Yes, there is a very good reason. Having to change lenses means that at some point you won’t have the right lens on for the image you want and you’ll miss the shot.
The difference between the two lenses at the long end isn’t that great for your use and having one lens for everything is better. As I said, if you find in the future you want to specialise, you will have a very good idea of what you’ll need for that. Until then, this covers everything else.
Keep in mind that this lens is small and light and with that also small and light body it’s a winning combination.
You’ll notice that many of the other comments talk about their preferences and opinions. That’s not useful to you. Brands like Sony have terrible menu systems that will make you spend more time messing with them than taking photos. Nikon mirrorless have terrible auto focus. Fuji are for people photos and have terrible menus and can’t do things like track focus unless you use a special face detection mode that stops other things working, and all sorts of other weird stuff.
Nikon full frame bodies are only worth it if you have lots of old Nikon lenses. Sony bodies are horrible to hold and feel like a device, not a camera. Canon have the best ergonomics, menus, colours and customer service.
I could go on. Or you could just get the Canon and forget all this nonsense.
The only other advice I’ll give you is something I wish I had been given when I bought my first DSLR -
Do not use a zoom lens to get closer or further away.
It has focal length markings on the side, use them as if you are selecting a prime lens of that particular focal length for the shot you want to make.
Learn about field of view and how it affects perspective. By all means experiment, but do it with that purpose. Don’t become lazy, focal length is critical to the way a composition is presented. This is art, learn your tools so that you can create your vision.
Canon will give you the best tools to learn and improve.
Oh and PS, buy a Hoya UV filter. The best you can afford. If you have an accident and break some glass, it’s better that it’s not the glass of your lens. Now you don’t need a lens cap to muck about with and miss the shot. And don’t use a hood, you don’t need one.