9 Best Telephoto Lens For Cameras You Should Know

Updated on June 13, 2023 in Photography by Alifiya Mustafa

A camera telephoto lens is usually a lens with a focal length of more than 50mm and is used for static photography. It’s a long-focus lens that captures far-away objects and provides an enlarged scene photo.

Recently, we shared the best cameras for product photography. And in this article, I’ll be telling you about the 9 best Telephoto Lens For Canon, Nikon, and Sony that will change how you capture photos.

3 Best Telephoto Lens For Canon

1. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

This telephoto lens for Canon is way better than the former Canon 70-300mm IS USM. This one has a faster Nano USM autofocus system with that’s more silent.

You get an improved image stabilization compared to the former and even the one you might have right now. With a 4-stop rating, you get amazingly sharp images with better contrast.

The focus ring doesn’t rotate anymore when autofocusing and the new LCD screen on the barrel allows you to switch between display modes. These include depth of field, focus distance, and a powerful focal length on an APS-C format camera.

2. Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens

This is another best telephoto lens for Canon. It has one UD element, one super UD element, and two aspherical elements that allow you to reduce chromatic aberration and correct distortions.

The excellent aperture range of f/2.8 to f/32 results in strikingly sharp and detailed images with gorgeous bokeh in the background. The Dual Nano USM autofocus system allows for high-speed, quiet, and smooth autofocus.

Other great features you might find in this best telephoto lens for Canon are an optical image stabilizer, a 9-blade diaphragm for a perfectly round aperture, a rotatable tripod collar, and a customizable control ring.

3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is compact, lightweight, and budget-friendly. This telephoto lens for Canon has image stabilization of up to 3.5-stops to avoid shaky images while one UD element takes care of chromatic aberration.

The new 6 group zoom system offers high magnification for clear image quality even from a great distance. The STM (Stepping Motor) allows for silent, smoother, and faster autofocus.

You might not consider this telephoto lens for Canon because it has a plastic mounting plate and the small image circle may cause vignetting on larger sensors.

3 Best Telephoto Lens For Nikon

1. Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR is the best telephoto lens for Nikon. It’s packed with features like new-gen aperture control and autofocus and offers exceptional image quality, optical stabilization, and comes with a wonderful electromagnetically controlled diaphragm.

The ‘pulse’ stepping motors are fast, smooth, and quiet. A few other reasons why you’d love this best telephoto lens are its price, built, compact size, and lightweight.

However, it may not be compatible with many old Nikon models, so you must check the compatibility before making the purchase.

2. Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di VC USD

This is a very powerful telephoto lens for Nikon. It has ultrasonic autofocus that promises faster, smoother, and quieter autofocus than a most telephoto lens.

It is also the cheapest telephoto lens for a camera given its features and performance. The powerful optical stabilization is the real deal-breaker.

3. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM

This telephoto lens for Nikon deserves to be the best. The only reason it isn’t is its heavy price. But, I must say that the features and quality it comes with make it worth every penny.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM has 9 FLD and 1 SLD low dispersion glass element, 11 blades rounded diaphragm to give beautiful bokeh at the background, and magnesium alloy barrel ensures heavy built quality and durability. It’s also dust and splash-proof which makes it great even while traveling.

3 Best Telephoto Lens For Sony

1. Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens might be a bit expensive but there’s no way it can be put anywhere below the best telephoto lens for Sony.

The G master design comprises buttery smooth bokeh, stunning sharpness, and an on-point depth of field.

There is an 11-blade diaphragm for a rounded aperture and the Direct Drive SuperSonic Motor assures faster and smoother autofocus. The Nano AR coating reduces glare, reflections, flare, and ghosting.

2. Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8

This telephoto lens for Sony is the most compact and lightest lens in its class. It has VXD linear motor focus system for delivering fast and precise autofocus.

The amazing optical design offers great image quality. The built is moisture-resistant with fluorine coating. Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 also has a zoom lock switch for better and more precise image stabilization.

3. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

This telephoto lens for Sony is a must-buy if you’re looking for durability, quality, and better handling. The brand new optical path includes 6 FLD and 2 SLD elements.

It has weather sealing, a quiet and smooth stepping motor system, and fast autofocus. You get a gorgeous bokeh with 11 blades diaphragm.

The only drawback is it doesn’t have the Image Stabilizer that can cause noticeable distortion and vignette if not corrected.

Also Read: Best Monitor For Photo Editing.

Bonus Read

Choosing the best telephoto lens for cameras can be tough. Therefore, I’ve made it easy for you to choose from the best telephoto lens for Canon, Nikon, and Sony that are best at offering exceptional image quality to your photos.

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