A new generation of superzoom telephoto lenses has arisen that can take in scenic vistas, zoom in on distant subjects, and focus up close for near-macro shots. Will a telephoto zoom lens be your next lens?
What is a Telephoto Zoom Lens?
A lens with a focal length of 60mm or longer is considered a telephoto zoom lens. If it provides a single focal length, it is a prime lens. But if it provides a range of focal lengths, all longer than 60mm, it is a telephoto zoom lens.
The most common focal length ranges for telephoto zoom lenses are in the medium telephoto area (e.g., 70-200mm, 75-300mm). You can also find focal lengths in the super telephoto area (e.g., 200-500mm, 200-600mm).
Having more than one focal length allows you to capture details of your subject without physically getting closer or changing the lens. It’s a big advantage when you photograph easily startled subjects (e.g., wildlife), take snapshots during events, or can’t afford to buy or carry more than one lens.
When to Use a Telephoto Zoom Lens
Use a telephoto zoom lens to make your subject look closer to the camera than it actually is and to capture details. Wildlife and sports photography are good examples of using this type of lens.
A telephoto zoom lens is also a good idea when the subject is far away from the camera and you can’t get closer to it (e.g., photographing a street festival or parade). A focal length range in the medium telephoto areas will allow you to go from a relatively wide angle to a narrow and precise one. This type of lens provides a beautiful bokeh effect, which is perfect for making your subject stand out (e.g., portraits).
Telephoto Zoom Lens: Pros and Cons
Like all zoom lenses, a telephoto zoom lens provides flexibility, versatility, and lots of creative freedom. It helps you out in situations in which otherwise would be impossible to take a photo (e.g., photographing wildlife from a safe distance) and offers a fast setup for multiple situations. If you choose a focal length range in the super telephoto area, you will be able to try macro photography, astrophotography, photographing architectural details, or capturing amazing sports shots.
However, a telephoto zoom lens has a few drawbacks too. Compared to shorter lenses, they’re heavy, bulky, and hard to manage. It’s also prone to camera shake blur, and you will often want to use a tripod or use a high shutter speed to counteract this. And if you only use one focal length, a prime lens will provide a better image quality.
10 Best All-in-One Telephoto Zoom Lenses
Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 Lens
A compact and lightweight VR lens, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 has an outstanding
focal length that can cater to every photographer in any niche. The lens has a zoom of up to
14.2x, making sure that no matter how you are from your subject, you’ll always be able to
capture it in stunning clarity. Therefore, this lens could be great for sports photographers
either in courtside or even way up in the bleachers!
Macro photography comes with no sweat with this lens, offering photographers a pleasing
bokeh effect in the background while your minuscule subject takes the majority of the
frame. It’s important to note that its minimum focus distance is 7.8 inches and on wide
mode, the lens has a reproduction ratio of 0.35x – so anyone who sees your photos gets to
feel like they’re right there with your little subject.
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II G Full-Frame FE-Mount Lens
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II G is a zoom lens in the medium telephoto area that provides a full experience. It features a fast f/2.8 aperture for impeccable image quality in low light conditions, high resolution throughout the entire zoom range, optical design for minimizing chromatic and distance-related aberrations, Nano AR Coating II for no reflections, and a fast and precise autofocus system.
The lens creates a beautiful bokeh effect and has a short minimum focus distance (1.32 ft at 70 mm and 2.69 ft at 200 mm), which makes it perfect for close-up photography.
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM Lens
The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM enters the super telephoto area and provides an ultra-versatile focal length range. The lens features in-body image stabilization, a special optical design for correcting chromatic aberration throughout the entire zoom range, a fast, silent, and smooth autofocus system, and a control ring for fast setups. The minimum focus distance is 2.89 ft (0.88m) at 200mm.
Due to its performance in image stabilization (up to 6 stops of shake correction), you can use the lens without a tripod for street and event photography.
Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens
With focal lengths in the medium telephoto area, the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM is a good choice for portraiture, wedding, wildlife, sports, and fashion photography. It’s lightweight and portable and features optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction for safe use without a tripod.
The lens features a constant large aperture throughout the entire zoom range. It also has a fast, silent, and smooth autofocus system, and a minimum focusing distance of 2.3 ft (0.7m). It’s also dust and weather-resistant.
Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens
The Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM is an ultra-telephoto zoom lens with compact packaging and high image quality performance. It’s designed to reduce chromatic aberrations, flare, and ghosting and produce flawless, sharp images.
The lens features optical image stabilization, phase detection AF, and contrast AF. It also has a push/pull zoom mechanism, a 9-blade rounded diaphragm for attractive blur, and a dust- and splash-proof structure. It’s compatible with full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Lens
If you’re looking for an affordable zoom lens for Sony E Mount or Nikon Z Mount cameras, the 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 may be your lens. It’s portable, versatile, and easy to use. The lens features a high-performance autofocus system for action shots, in-camera lens corrections, large maximum apertures, up-close shooting performance, and moisture-resistant construction.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have optical image stabilization. But it’s small and light enough to be easy to handle and take sharp photos even without a tripod.
Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
With a smooth zoom and macro capabilities, the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R is ready for any challenge. The 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 107-457mm is versatile and allows you to try any type of photography.
The lens features up to 5.5 stops of image stabilization, a fast autofocus system, a 2.72ft (0.83m) minimum focusing distance, and a 0.33x maximum macro magnification. The construction is dust-, freeze-, and weather-resistant.
The XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R is compatible with Fujifilm APS-C X-mount cameras.
Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS E-Mount Lens
The FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G is an ultra-telephoto zoom lens perfect for wildlife and sports photography. It provides optical image stabilization, high resolution, and AF performance throughout the zoom range. It boasts an optical design for reducing distortions and aberrations, a natural-looking bokeh effect, and Nano AR Coating for reducing flare and ghosting.
The lens is user-friendly and helps you focus fast and precisely. Due to the dust- and moisture-resistant design and fluorine front-element coating to repel water, oil, and other contaminants, the lens will have a long and productive life.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens
FX and DX-format Nikon Z mirrorless camera owners will love this super-telephoto zoom lens for their wildlife, sports, and action photographs. It features vibration reduction, smooth and silent autofocus, and image stabilization. Plus, it has an optical design for reducing axial chromatic aberration, flare, and glare, and an innovative design enhancement to eliminate lens creep.
Nikon also thought of macro style close focusing and enabled the lens to focus at 2.46ft (0.75m) at 100mm and 3.22ft (0.98m) at 400mm.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM is a versatile telephoto zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. It has optical image stabilization, and high-resolution, high-contrast images throughout its zoom range. It offers manual focusing and AF and a minimum focusing distance of 3.9 ft (1.2m).
The fluorine coating of the lens prevents dust, oil, and water residues and prolongs its life. And Canon’s signature Air Sphere Coating (ASC) suppresses reflections and combats aberrations. The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM performs in any light conditions and environment.
