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You’ve come to the right place if you want to find the best telephoto lenses for your camera. The limits of photography are changed by a telephoto lens. They bring your subject close to you, even if they are far away. Some photographers don’t need them. But a telephoto lens makes all the difference for some photographers.
They can change the way you take pictures and take them to a whole new level. A good telephoto lens is usually one of the first specialized lenses that a photographer buys. If you want to learn more about why you might choose a telephoto lens, we’ve put together a different types of telephoto lenses and what they’re used for.
Best Telephoto Lenses Comparison Table
| Product Name | Maximum Aperture | Maximum Focal Length | Dimensions (DxL) | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM | f/4-5.6 | 300mm | 80 x 145mm | 710g | $549.00 USD |
| Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | f/2.8 | 200mm | 94.2 x 203mm | 1430g | $1399.00 USD |
| Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 | f/4.5-6.3 | 300mm | 72.5 x 125mm | 415g | $399.95 USD |
| Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 | f/5.6 | 500mm | 108 x 267.5mm | 2300g | $1399.95 USD |
| Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM | f/2.8 | 200mm | 89.9 x 146mm | 1440g | $2699.00 USD |
| Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens | f/2.8 | 200mm | 88 x 200mm | 1480g | $2599.00 USD |
| Nikon 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR | f/4-6.3 | 200mm | 78 x 114mm | 570g | $899.95 USD |
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4-5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32-45 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (4-stop) |
| Autofocus | Yes (USM) |
| Filter Diameter | 67mm |
| Weight | 710g |
Canon’s APS-C format SLRs come with a pretty good EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM telephoto zoom lens. At 70x111mm and 375g, it’s small and easy to carry. With a size of 80x146mm and a weight of 710g, this lens for full-frame cameras is, of course, bigger and nearly twice as heavy as the other one, but we think it’s more than twice as good.
It has a more powerful telephoto reach, which is the same as 480mm in full terms. It also has a super-fast Nano USM autofocus system, an image stabilizer that works better, and sharper images. As a nice touch for handling, it also has an information screen inside the barrel and a button next to it for switching between modes.
The Good
- Affordable telephoto zoom lens
- Image stabilization is built in.
- The Ultrasonic Motor (USM) helps the autofocus work quickly and accurately.
The Bad
- Since the aperture doesn’t stay the same as you zoom in and out, it can be hard to get a consistent depth of field.
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-200mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (4-stop) |
| Autofocus | Yes (HSM) |
| Filter Diameter | 77mm |
| Weight | 1430g |
Professional photographers all over the world love Canon’s EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM, but we prefer this direct competitor from Sigma. It is just as sturdy, with a barrel made of magnesium alloy and a full set of weather seals. It also has an optical path with 11 top-performing FLD (Fluorite Low Dispersion) elements.
There are two autofocus modes that give priority to either autofocus or manual override. Some of Canon’s higher-end cameras can switch the way the focus on/hold buttons work. These buttons are built into the barrel. There are also two switchable custom modes that you can set up with Sigma’s optional USB Dock.
The Good
- With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it is great for taking photos in low light and making photos with a shallow depth of field.
- Image stabilization is built in.
- Available in multiple lens mounts
The Bad
- Compared to some other lenses, it is not as light.
- Compared to some other lenses, it’s pricey.
Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-300mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5-6.3 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22-32 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (VR) |
| Autofocus | Yes (Pulse Motor) |
| Filter Diameter | 58mm |
| Weight | 400g |
For Nikon cameras, the Nikon Nikkor AF-P is the best telephoto lens. This zoom lens is easy to carry, easy on the wallet, and well made. It works really well with a Nikon APS-C DSLR camera. The range of its focal length is from 70mm to 300mm. You can get into the middle of the action without putting your life in danger.
The 70mm end is great for taking portraits with a tight frame. And the 300mm focal length gives you a great zoom for taking pictures of sports or wildlife. As a Nikon AF-P lens, the AF system won’t work with some older Nikon cameras. But if you bought your Nikon in the last few years, that won’t be a problem.
The Good
- With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it is great for taking photos in low light and making photos with a shallow depth of field.
- Image stabilization is built in.
- Available in multiple lens mounts
The Bad
- Compared to some other lenses, it is not as light.
- Compared to some other lenses, it’s pricey.
Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 200-500mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes (Silent Wave Motor) |
| Filter Diameter | 95mm |
| Weight | 2300g |
The best telephoto lens for Nikon full frame cameras is the Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6. It works with their ASP-C DSLR cameras. But you’ll experience some cropping. The clarity of the image is great. And you get a very powerful zoom. With a focal length of up to 500mm, the lens gives you a lot of reach.
It’s great for sports photography because you can get right in the middle of the action from the stands. And you can take beautiful pictures of wildlife without leaving your hide. The max aperture of f/5.6 isn’t very fast. But it stays the same as you zoom in and out. And the depth of field is still nice and shallow.
The Good
- It’s small and light, which makes it a great choice for travel.
- Image stabilization is built in.
- Affordable price point
The Bad
- It doesn’t have a very wide maximum aperture, which can make it hard to shoot in low light.
- The image quality may not be as sharp as with some other lenses.
Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-200mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Canon RF |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (5-stop) |
| Autofocus | Yes (USM) |
| Filter Diameter | 77mm |
| Weight | 1070g |
One of the best things about going mirrorless is that you can make lenses that are usually very big much smaller. This telephoto lens is made for Canon’s mirrorless cameras. When it’s focused at 70mm, it’s only 2.36 lbs and 5.75 inches long.
It has a bright f/2.8 aperture, up to 5 stops of optical image stabilization, and autofocus that works quickly and quietly. It can focus as close as 2.3 feet away. This 70-200mm telephoto lens is for Canon users who don’t have a mirror.
The Good
- Long 200-500mm telephoto range
- Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick and precise autofocus
- Good build quality and sealing against the weather
The Bad
- It doesn’t have a very wide maximum aperture, which can make it hard to shoot in low light.
- It is a big, heavy lens.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70-200mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Lens Mount | Sony FE |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (5-stop) |
| Autofocus | Yes (DDSSM) |
| Filter Diameter | 77mm |
| Weight | 1480g |
Some of the best lenses on the market are Sony’s G Master lenses, and the 70-200mm lens for Sony cameras is a beautiful thing. The lens has a circular aperture with 11 blades for smooth bokeh and little focus breathing. This makes it a great choice for shooting both photos and videos.
It is made of ED and Super ED glass elements to reduce chromatic aberration and fringing. It also has a Nano AR coating to improve resolution and reduce flare and ghosting. It has a dual floating focus system that lets it autofocus quickly and accurately. It is also resistant to dust and moisture, so you don’t have to worry about missing the shot if the weather changes.
The Good
- Excellent image quality, with sharpness and clarity throughout the zoom range
- Wide maximum aperture of f/2.8 for taking photos in low light and with shallow depth of field
- Includes image stabilization that can make up to 5 stops of difference.
The Bad
- It is a big, heavy lens that might not be good for traveling or long shooting sessions.
- Compared to some other lenses, it’s pricey.
Nikon 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-200mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4-6.3 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22-36 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Image Stabilization | Yes (VR) |
| Autofocus | Yes (Pulse Motor) |
| Filter Diameter | 67mm |
| Weight | 570g |
Well, it does reach 200mm, so I guess it should be on this list. The Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 is a very good lens, but only for a superzoom. If you want to use your telephoto lens to also get wide-angle shots, that’s fine. But we’re not talking about the best telephoto lens for Nikon, which is the subject of this article.
The 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR’s worst focal length is, you guessed it, 200mm. Even if you don’t care about how the picture looks, the maximum aperture of f/6.3 at 200mm is very limited. If you took pictures of scenery, we could see it. If you want to take pictures of animals, there are better options than this one.
The Good
- It has a wide-angle to telephoto zoom range, which makes it a great all-around lens.
- It’s small and light, so it’s easy to carry around.
- Image stabilization is built in.
The Bad
- It doesn’t have a very wide maximum aperture, which can make it hard to shoot in low light.
- The image quality may not be as sharp as some of the other lenses on this list.
FAQs
What lens has the greatest telephoto effect?
Super telephoto zoom lenses that go from 300mm to 600mm have the most dramatic telephoto effect, which creates a shallow depth of field. Wildlife and sports photographers like these lenses because the longer focal length makes small or far away subjects look bigger and fill the frame.
Is a telephoto lens better than a zoom lens?
The main difference between zoom lenses and telephoto lenses is what they can do for you. Zoom lenses let you change focal lengths so that you can focus on things at different distances without having to switch lenses. Even though it has the same focal length as a regular lens, a telephoto lens is smaller than a regular lens.
What is the best focal length for telephoto?
People often use telephoto lenses with a focal length between 70 and 200 mm to take pictures of people, products, nature, and wildlife. They make it possible for the photographer to get close to the subject.
How far can a 800mm lens zoom?
The focal length and magnification are directly related, so an 800mm lens would give you twice the magnification and cover 1.7°x2. 6°, or 3×4.5 feet at 100 feet.