Best budget telephoto lens for canon

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

Digital Camera World Verdict

The latest and by far the greatest in a long line of Canon budget telephoto zooms for full-frame SLRs, the Mark II represents a major upgrade over the first ‘IS USM’, with much higher-performance autofocus and image stabilization systems, plus a multi-function electronic display. Handling and image quality are impressive, making this fairly compact and lightweight lens a smart buy for both full-frame and APS-C DSLRs.

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Pros

+
Fast and near-silent autofocus
+
4-stop image stabilizer
+
Multi-function electronic display

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The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM follows in the footsteps of budget telephoto zooms of the same or similar focal lengths, stretching back to the original EF 75-300mm of 1991. For our money, previous editions have all been good rather than great but this latest edition represents a serious step up in handling and overall performance.

Specifications

Mount: Canon EF
Lens construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
Angle of view: 34-8 degrees
Diaphragm blades: 9
Minimum aperture: f/32-45
Minimum focusing distance: 1.2m
Maximum magnification ratio: 0.25x
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions: 80x146mm
Weight: 710g

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM (32GB Black) at Amazon for $599

Key features

The Mark II edition of this lens could barely be any more different to its predecessor. As well as a redesigned and upgraded optical path featuring new specialized UD elements, the exterior has a much more modern look and feel and the internals are completely overhauled. The old lens had an autofocus system based on an ultrasonic micro-motor. Compared with the more usual ring-type arrangement, it was clearly audible and rather sluggish in operation. The focus ring and front element also rotated during focusing, which impaired handling and made the use of filters like circular polarizers and ND grads a real chore. There was also no full-time manual override of autofocus.

The new lens features a revolutionary Nano USM autofocus system, which is incredibly rapid for stills, while enabling similarly smooth focus transitions as a stepping motor system for video capture, as well as being almost completely silent in operation. Focusing is now fully internal, so there’s no more rotation of the front element.

The manual focus ring is electronically coupled and enables full-time manual override, but there’s no physical focus distance scale. However the lens does feature a digital information display, with alternative modes for focus distance, focal length and severity of camera shake. You can cycle through these by repeatedly pressing the Mode button. The image stabilizer also gets a revamp, boasting 4-stop effectiveness and auto panning detection. As usual with Canon lenses that aren’t part of the L-series line-up, you need to buy the hood separately, and the genuine own-brand article is pricey in some world regions.

Performance

As advertised, autofocus performance is blazing fast and highly accurate. Overall performance and image quality are highly impressive, the only exception being that corner-sharpness is relatively poor at the short end of the zoom range.

Lab results

We run a range of lab tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.

We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the center of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths. The tests also measure distortion and color fringing (chromatic aberration).

Sharpness:

(Image credit: Future)

Levels of sharpness are pretty impressive throughout the entire zoom range, with the exception that edge-sharpness is a little lackluster at the short end.

Fringing:

(Image credit: Future)

There’s fairly minimal color fringing at both ends of the zoom range and even less in the middle sector.

Distortion:

(Image credit: Future)

Barrel distortion can be a little noticeable at 70mm, and the same goes for pincushion at 300mm, but in-camera corrections are available in current and recent Canon DSLRs.

Verdict

The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is a very appealing compact and lightweight telephoto zoom for both full-frame and APS-C format DSLRs, on the latter giving a supersized ‘effective’ zoom range of 112-480mm. It also works well as a lightweight option on EOS R-series mirrorless cameras via an EF-EOS R mount adapter.

Read more:

Best Canon lenses
Best wide-angle lenses for Canon
Best Canon telephoto lenses

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM: Price Comparison

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Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners!

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related.

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

The Best Budget Telephoto Lenses for Canon: 7 Top Picks

Getting started in photography can involve shelling out a lot of cash for lenses that will help take your photography further. If you’re a Canon shooter looking to get started in wildlife, sports, or event event photography, finding the best budget telephoto lens for Canon cameras is a must.

These lenses are great for starting to explore telephoto photography options without requiring a major cash commitment. You should be able to get some stunning shots with these lenses and discover if a telephoto genre is to your liking.

Read on to find out more!

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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Fast autofocus, versatile telephoto range, and sharp image quality.

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Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4. 5-6.3 IS STM

A compact telephoto lens with a quite autofocus and great aperture range.

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

Great for APS-C Canon cameras and a fast AF system.

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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Older technology but still a superb telephoto choice with great image quality.

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

Newer technology with an updated AF system and image stabilization.

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Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD

A brilliant third-party option providing sharp images and a durable build.

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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

One of the cheapest L-series telephoto lenses available.

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Best Budget Telephoto Lenses for Canon

1. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

Best Overall Pick

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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Great quality and performance

The EF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 III is a brilliant budget option with a solid autofocus and overall image quality.

$199.00 from Amazon

Pros

Fast and responsive AF system

Relatively lightweight

Enhanced lens coatings to reduce flare

Cons

No image stabilization

Aperture Range – f/4 – f/32
Autofocus System – Micro USM
Image Stabilization – No
Weight – 480g / 1.058lbs
Dimensions – 71x122mm / 2.79×4.80 inches

First up we have the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III. This is an older lens, but it is still one of the best budget options available. At 75-300mm, you can cover a range of photography types and this lens would be great for close-up wildlife shots.

In terms of image quality, it has Super Spectra coatings which reduce flare and ghosting. It also has an advanced lens construction that contributes to excellent contrast and sharpness. You can expect sharp photos throughout the zoom range and minimum distortions.

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Despite being a telephoto lens, this model is also one of the smaller and lighter options available. It weighs much less than most Canon telephoto lenses and as a result, you should still be able to carry it easily and use it comfortably handheld. The only downside is the lack of image stabilization which is beneficial for tracking moving subjects at great distances.

2. Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

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Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

Best for EOS M Cameras

For EOS M owners, this is a must-have telephoto lens.

$245. 99 from Amazon

Pros

Has built-in image stabilization

Great telephoto quality for a budget price

Compact and lightweight

Cons

No super-telephoto capabilities

Aperture Range – f/4.5 – f/22
Autofocus System – STM
Image Stabilization – Yes
Weight – 260g / 0.573lbs
Dimensions – 60.9×86.5mm / 2.39×3.40 inches

Canon EOS M users do not have a huge range of native lenses. There is an EF adapter available to expand your options, but native lenses usually offer better quality and performance. Luckily, there is the fantastic Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM telephoto lens.

This is virtually the only native telephoto lens available for the EOS M cameras, like the Canon EOS M5, but it doesn’t matter because it’s brilliant! It makes for a fantastic travel telephoto lens as it weighs virtually nothing and is one of the smallest telephoto lenses you can find.

Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

Aside from its portability, however, it also has excellent performance. You can expect sharp images with great clarity and contrast from this small lens. It has image stabilization and the fast STM autofocus motor which will both help when taking difficult wildlife and event photos. For EOS M owners, this is one of the best budget telephoto lenses for Canon available and a must-have!

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

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

Best for APS-C Cameras

This remains a versatile lens for APS-C Canon cameras and has a great zoom range.

$299.00 from Amazon

Pros

Has automatic panning detection

Quiet and accurate STM AF system

Versatile for various photography types

Cons

Not as sharp as EF telephoto lenses

Aperture Range – f/4 – f/22
Autofocus System – STM
Image Stabilization – Yes
Weight – 375g / 0. 826lbs
Dimensions – 70.0×111.2mm / 2.75×4.37 inches

The Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM is one of the best options for Canon APS-C sensor cameras. It’s everything you need from a telephoto lens – cheap, lightweight, portable, versatile, and provides fantastic image quality. It may not be as sharp as some of the EF lenses, but its quality is more than enough for first-time users.

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

The lens construction contains aspheric and ED elements to improve image quality and reduce distortions. As a result, your telephoto shots will be sharp with excellent contrast.

The lens is easy to use thanks to the fast STM autofocus system and built-in image stabilization. As a result, you can comfortably use this telephoto lens handheld, and in low light situations, and still get great results.

4. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

A great choice for beginners

Although lacking an advanced AF system, this is a cheap telephoto lens for beginners.

$199.00 from Amazon

Pros

Compact and lightweight

Excellent image quality and sharpness

Great for first-time users

Cons

Not the best autofocus system

Aperture Range – f/4 – f/22
Autofocus System – Micro Motor
Image Stabilization – No
Weight – 480g / 1.058lbs
Dimensions – 71x122mm / 2.79×4.80 inches

If you want a simple telephoto lens to practice wildlife, landscape, and events photography, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III could be a good choice. This is an older lens, but it still boasts great image quality. Compared to similar telephoto lenses, it is much lighter and smaller – another reason why it is a good first-time user option.

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

You can also expect sharp images with minimum softening due to the lens construction. The only downside is that this lens only has a basic autofocus motor, and it does not have any image stabilization – this is why it may not be suitable for professional telephoto photography.

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

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

Fantastic performance and quality

An updated version, this remains one of the best budget EF Canon lenses.

$599.00 from Amazon

Pros

Fast autofocus motor

Consistent image quality

Image stabilization

Cons

Not the lightest of lenses

Aperture Range – f/4 – f/22
Autofocus System – Nano USM
Image Stabilization – Yes
Weight – 710g / 1.565lbs
Dimensions – 80×145.5mm / 3.14×5.72 inches

One of the best budget telephoto lenses for Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM. This is a newer telephoto lens so it has some better technologies like a Nano USM autofocus motor and image stabilization. It also has an improved build quality and generally looks better than some of the older Canon lenses.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.

6 IS II USM

With a focal range of 70-300mm, you can shoot a range of subjects and take amazing super-telephoto images. Regardless of the focal distance, you can also expect sharp images with minimum distortions. We also like the circular aperture that lets you create amazing background separation and a gorgeous bokeh effect.

For sports photography and wildlife shots where you have to track fast-moving objects, the quick USM autofocus motor will also help greatly.

6. Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD

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Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Best third-party option

This popular telephoto lens offers great image quality and usability.

$149.00 from Amazon

Pros

Excellent image quality and sharpness

A versatile maximum aperture

Durable build quality

Cons

Autofocus system can be a little noisy

Aperture Range – f/4 – f/32
Autofocus System – USD
Image Stabilization – Yes
Weight – 765g / 1. 686lbs
Dimensions – 81.5mm / 3.20 inches

Tamron has some remarkable telephoto lenses and the Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD remains a popular choice for Canon camera owners. This Super Performance lens is incredibly versatile and has a range of XLD and LD elements that boost contrast and reduce distortions.

You can expect sharp images regardless of the focal distance. The maximum aperture range of f/4-5.6 is also excellent. It means you can shoot wildlife and other objects in portrait style and still get a beautiful bokeh effect and foreground/background separation.

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD

This telephoto lens also benefits from Tamron’s Vibration Compensation technology which is their version of image stabilization. Combined with the fast USD autofocus motor, you should easily be able to track and focus on moving objects at great distances.

7. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

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Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Best affordable L-series

If you can stretch your budget a little, this older L-series lens still offers excellent quality.

$434.99 from Amazon

Pros

Fantastic image quality

Constant f/4 maximum aperture

Durable build quality

Cons

No image stabilization

Aperture Range – f/4 – f/22
Autofocus System – Ring USM
Image Stabilization – No
Weight – 705g / 1.554lbs
Dimensions – 76x172mm / 2.99×6.77 inches

If you are set on owning an L-series lens, but can’t quite budget for the ultra-professional models, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM could be a great option. This is an older L-series lens, and while it doesn’t have some of the latest features, it still performs exceptionally.

It has a durable build and is weather-resistant so you can comfortably use it outside. Also, the constant f/4 aperture across the different focal distances gives you great control, even in low-light telephoto situations.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

As you would expect from a Canon L-series lens, the image quality this lens can produce is also superb. You can expect sharp images from corner to corner at any focal distance. The advanced lens construction will mean virtually no distortions and softening. This is a brilliant L-series telephoto lens, without the usual L-series price tag!

Which Budget Canon Telephoto Lens is Right for You?

We hope you have found this guide on the best budget telephoto lenses for Canon useful. A telephoto lens is a fantastic piece of kit to have – it can broaden your photography greatly.

For EOS M owners, the Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is a must-have option.

Alternatively, for standard full-frame and APS-C Canon cameras, you have a great selection of budget lenses to choose from. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM is an older model, but still offers superior L-series performance. The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM boasts updated technology and is a fantastic all-purpose telephoto lens.

Canon Telephoto Lens FAQ

What focal distance is considered telephoto?

In most instances, “telephoto” is considered anything above 70mm. This is then broken into “short telephoto” (70-135mm), “medium telephoto” (135-300m), and “super telephoto” (Over 300mm).

What is the difference between a telephoto and zoom lens?

Telephoto lenses can be zoom lenses and zoom lenses can be telephoto lenses! Telephoto deals specifically with the focal distance and is generally anything of 70mm. A zoom lens is basically any lens that you can change the focal distance of i.e., 70-200mm.

Can you use EF telephoto lenses on an EOS-M camera?

Yes! However, you need the Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. This allows you to use EF lenses on your EOS M camera.

Is image stabilization useful for a telephoto lens?

Yes! Image stabilization can help when tracking moving objects and focusing on subjects at a great focal distance. It can help you take in-focus and steady photos with less effort.

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Top 10 | best budget telephoto lenses

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Home • Ranking, Electronics • Top 10 Budget Telephoto Lenses for Canon, Nikon and Sony in 2022

Investing in one of the Best Budget Telephoto Lenses of 2022 will help upgrade your photography without putting too much strain on your wallet. Once you're comfortable with your mirrorless or DSLR and kit lens, you'll want to expand your shooting options and give yourself the ability to capture distant, fast-moving subjects.

The best budget telephoto zoom lenses let you get much closer to your subject and fill the frame, great for a wide range of subjects, from architecture and landscapes to vibrant wildlife and action photography. That's why for many people who are just starting out in photography, a telephoto lens is the first lens they want to invest in after buying a camera with a kit lens.

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While you can spend over six figures on some high-end telephoto lenses, there are some great budget telephoto lenses out there that won't disappoint.

You'll find that many of the more affordable lenses on this list are designed specifically for APS-C cameras, meaning they tend to be lighter and more compact than their full-frame counterparts. It's worth bearing in mind that some lenses will still work with full-frame cameras and others won't, so it's always a good idea to check lens compatibility with your camera before purchasing.

Canon's Best Budget Telephoto Lenses
1. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is an inexpensive telephoto lens for Canon
2. Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM - affordable telephoto lens for Canon
3. Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5. 6 Di VC USD - budget telephoto lens in terms of price-performance ratio
4. Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is a great option for Canon EOS M
Best Budget Telephoto Lenses for Nikon 9 Cameras0016
5. Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR is the best budget telephoto lens for Nikon
6. Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.5G ED VR is a great value telephoto zoom lens
7. Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD - budget telephoto lens in terms of price-performance ratio
8. Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR is the perfect DX telephoto lens for Z cameras
The best budget telephoto lenses for Sony cameras
9. Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS is a great super telephoto lens for the A6000
10. Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS is a premium telephoto lens for Sony

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

Pros: fast and near-silent autofocus
Cons: Lacks weather protection
Price: 39 900₽

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.

6 IS STM

Pros: Virtually silent autofocus
Cons: not the fastest autofocus
Price: 16 490₽

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD

Pros: sharp, price
Cons: dark, no weather protection
Price: 27 890₽

Canon EF-M 55-200mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM

Pros: light weight with good handling
Cons: 200mm might not be enough
Price: 21 599₽

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

Pros: Super fast and quiet autofocus
Cons: Not compatible with some older Nikon
Price: 41 900₽

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.5G ED VR

Pros: Efficient
Cons: no weather protection
Price: 15 734₽

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.

6 Di VC USD

Pros: affordable, price
Cons: no weather protection
Price: 27 849₽

Nikon Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR

Pros: Very compact and lightweight
Cons: fairly narrow f/6.3 aperture
Price: 25 990₽

Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS

Pros: very good image quality
Cons: Expensive for f/4.5-6.3
Price: 66 990₽

Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS

Pros: fast and sensitive autofocus, price
Cons: Aperture
Price: 18 990₽

Top 7 | best telephoto lenses for Canon and Nikon

Home • Ranking, Electronics • 7 best telephoto lenses for Canon and Nikon in 2022

Looking for best telephoto lens for Canon and Nikon ? The market is now overflowing with lens offerings for every model and every lens mount. The whole problem is to find the right option for you, based on your budget and what you need for shooting. But why would you need a telephoto lens at all?

Standard zoom lenses are handy enough, but they don't give you as many options as a telephoto lens. For example, when you want to take a close-up shot of a subject that you can't get close to, you simply cannot do without a telephoto lens. Think sports, action shots, wildlife: all these types of shooting require a telephoto lens, only with it the subject will look like an object, and not a blurry blur in the distance.

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These lenses have other uses as well, so they will find a place in many photographers' bags. They are great for portraiture as they focus on the subject, emphasize facial features, and allow the photographer to create stunning bokeh effects. They excel when shooting landscapes and architecture, creating a completely different look than the wide-angle images typical of these genres.

1. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM - Affordable and compact telephoto lens
2. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | S is a good telephoto lens for sports photography
3. Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM is the best telephoto lens for the Canon EOS R series
4. Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports is one of the best sports lenses for Nikon and Canon
5. Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR is a fast, sharp telephoto lens for Nikon
6. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | S - ideal for Nikon 9 full frame cameras0016
7. Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is a decent telephoto lens for Nikon

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

Canon has released an excellent EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5, 6 IS STM telephoto lens for its APS-C format SLR cameras. It is compact and lightweight, measuring 70x111mm and weighing 375g. The Canon EF 70-300mm measures 80x146mm and weighs 710g, it's a full-frame compatible lens, it's naturally larger and almost twice as heavy, but considering the cost, it's a significant improvement over its counterpart. In addition to a more powerful 480mm-equivalent telephoto lens, it boasts an ultra-fast Nano USM autofocus system, better image stabilization, and better image clarity and quality. Like the icing on the cake, it also has a built-in information screen with an adjacent button to switch between multiple modes. It's a good telephoto lens for APS-C DSLRs, and a great budget compact telephoto lens for Canon full-frame cameras, including EOS R-series mirrorless models (attach with adapter).

Mount: Canon EF and EF-S
Pros: fast autofocus
Cons: no dust and moisture protection
Price: 40 300₽

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | The S

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS III USM is a favorite with professional photographers around the world, but we found another great deal from its direct competitor, the Sigma. It's just as rugged, with a magnesium alloy base and a full range of weather seals, and it also boasts an optical path that includes no less than 11 high-performance FLD ('Fluorite' Low Dispersion) elements. Two autofocus modes are available, giving priority to autofocus or manual switching, respectively. Focus on/hold buttons are built into the base. There are also two switchable custom modes that you can set up with the optional Sigma USB Dock and adjust autofocus speed and range limiter distance, as well as the visual effect of stabilization in the viewfinder. By the way, the stabilizer works more efficiently here than in the Canon lens. The only downside is that the Sigma is slightly larger and heavier than most 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, and only the tripod leg is removable, not the entire mounting ring.

Mount: Canon EF and EF-S
Pros: Excellent handling and performance
Cons: non-removable tripod ring
Price: 127 990₽

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

In keeping with the trend for 70-200mm lenses, this new telephoto lens for Canon EOS R cameras has an internal cylinder that expands as the range increases. It has a solid, leak-proof design, which, however, lives up to its high price. The telescoping nature of the design naturally allows for a more compact folded size, and the lens is comparatively light at just 1070g. By comparison, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 for SLR cameras weighs 1805g. Its performance is exceptional thanks to its lightning-fast autofocus , controlled by two Nano USM drives, and three-mode 5-step optical stabilization. Image sharpness is amazing throughout the zoom range, even when shooting at f/2.8.

Mount: Canon RF
Pros: compact, lightweight design
Cons: expensive
Price: 217 800₽

Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports

Following the trends of Nikon and Canon, Sigma has developed a simply impressive telephoto lens. The Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sports is a real tank, big and heavy but with the features and image quality to match. Autofocus here is incredibly fast, and produces images with excellent clarity, aided by an optical stabilizer. In short, this is the perfect solution for sports photographers. Whether you're shooting with a Nikon, Canon, or even a Sigma, this is one of the best sports lenses you can buy on the market right now.

Mount: Nikon F, Canon EF
Pros: Cheaper than competitors
Cons: very large and heavy
Price: from 439 990₽

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

Nikon full-frame lenses have always been highly regarded since the heyday of 35mm film cameras, but this latest version is by far the best of the best. Compared to the previous version, the 4.5-stop IS adds two full stops of efficiency and improves upon Nikon's more modern Sport Mode, while the stepper motor-based autofocus system is faster and near-silent. The lens also features a magnetically controlled aperture that ensures exposure consistency when shooting in fast continuous shooting mode. However, the presence of such an autofocus system and aperture mechanism makes the lens incompatible with some older Nikon SLRs, including the D3000 and D5000. Image quality is very high for this class of telephoto lens, making it an excellent choice for both DX-format SLRs and Z-series SLRs using the FTZ mount adapter.

Mount: Nikon F DX
Pros: Fast, quiet autofocus
Cons: not compatible with some older DSLRs
Price: 49 990₽

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | S

Nikon's latest AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 E FL ED VR lens is undeniably an excellent offering, but it's no match for Sigma's lens, which costs almost half as much. Like the top-notch Nikon, the lens from Sigma offers a smart, rugged and sealed construction and flawless handling that includes customizable focus/hold buttons located on the base. Another similarity is the switchable autofocus modes, which prioritize either autofocus or manual switching. Sigma adds two more settings for the speed of its autofocus system, the distance at which the AF range limiter works, and how noticeable the stabilization effect is in the viewfinder. They can be set up with the optional Sigma USB Dock and are then accessible via a switch on the lens.

Mount: Nikon F FX
Pros: configurable parameters
Cons: tripod ring is not removable
Price: 127 990₽

Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

The Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 are excellent mirrorless full-frame cameras, but the most impressive thing about the system as a whole is the high image quality provided by the Nikon Z-Mount S-line lenses. The 70-200mm f/2.8 reaches new heights with a premium optical design that includes two aspherical elements, one fluorite element, no less than six ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and SR (Short-wavelength Refractive) elements.