Hi Chris
Best advice would be to pop to a local shop and have a play with the different makes etc, see which your other half prefers, it is all about the feel, which feels best, handles best, buttons in best position etc.
There is nothing wrong with the standard kit lens (normally around 18-55), so this ands say a 55-250 would be a great starting point.
There are pros and cons for all the makes, Canon & Nikon generally have a wider range of lenses available, Sony & Pentax can offer more functions / options on the Camera body -for example, they have body Image Stabalisation (IS), so any lens you put on them will have the IS available. On Canon & Nikon it is only on the lenses you buy that have in built IS.
Another point is do you, or any family have any DSLR - can help with sharing of equipment that may not be regularly used / trying new lenses out etc.
Hope this is of some help...
