So I finally picked up a Canon 90D after saving up for months. It is a huge step up from my old Rebel but right now I only have the 18-55mm kit lens and it is just not cutting it for what I want to do. My daughter is starting her soccer season in about three weeks here in Ohio and I really want to get some good action shots of her on the field without being that parent who is constantly running up and down the sidelines with a phone. I also live near a park with some cool herons and stuff so I would love to try some bird photography but I am on a pretty tight budget after buying the body. I am probably looking to spend maybe $450 or $500 tops, definitely looking at the used market to save some cash.

I have been doing some digging online but the more I read the more I get turned around. Everyone says the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is like the ultimate budget lens and that it is surprisingly sharp for the price. But then I see people swearing by the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM because it has that fancy Nano USM motor which is supposed to be crazy fast for tracking movement. The thing is the 70-300 is quite a bit more expensive even used and it is a full frame lens. I am worried if I get the 55-250 it is gonna feel like a toy on the 90D since the 90D has that 32.5 megapixel sensor and I heard it can be really demanding on older or cheaper glass.

I also looked at some third party stuff like the Tamron 18-400mm but those superzooms usually have some weird softness issues from what I have seen in sample photos and I really want something that can keep up with a fast kid. Plus I am mostly shooting outdoors in daylight so I dont think I need the crazy expensive f/2.8 stuff anyway. Just something reliable that wont break the bank or my back while I am carrying it around the tournament all day.

So between the Canon 55-250 and the 70-300, or maybe something I completely missed, which one actually makes sense for the 90D sensor? Is the 55-250 actually good enough for sports or is it gonna struggle to keep focus...