The Best Sony Telephoto Zoom Lens for 2024
What is the ultimate Sony telephoto zoom lens?
- Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens
- Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens
- Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens
- Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
- Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
- Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Lens
- Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II Lens
- Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens
- Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens
- Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens
As a generalization, the above list is sorted in performance and price descending sequence, though other factors must be considered.
About Sony Telephoto Zoom Lenses
For most photographers, a telephoto zoom lens is going to be the second-most important lens in their kit. The telephoto zoom is the lens that is going to be pulled out for portraits, events (including kid performances), sports, wildlife, landscapes, the beach, and many more photography subjects.
In general, approximately 70-200mm is the focal length range ideally covered by a telephoto zoom lens in an all-purpose kit. This range aligns nicely with the focal length range found in most general-purpose zoom lens. Don't worry about a small gap, such as 55-70mm or 70-100mm, between the focal length ranges is usually not a problem for most, and an overlap of the ranges is a positive attribute, potentially meaning fewer lens changes. Selecting the right lenses for each use should be a higher priority than the alignment of the focal length ranges.
You likely immediately noticed that a some of the recommended lenses do not cover the advised range. However, these lenses far exceed the long end suggestion, adding significant utility in that regard.
The following examples were captured with a full-frame camera.
The Best Sony Full-Frame Telephoto Zoom Lenses
1. Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens
The Ultimate Telephoto Zoom Lens, Impressive Image Quality, Lightweight, Professional-Grade
The 70-200 f/2.8 image stabilized lens is one of the most critical zoom lenses in most photographers' kits. Professionals and amateurs alike typically have this lens in their hands with high frequency. Professionals use it because there is no better lens available for many jobs, and amateurs use it additionally because this is the longest focal length available in an affordable, conveniently-sized f/2.8 lens.
This completely professional-grade lens has impressive image quality, fast and accurate AF, and Optical SteadyShot in a solid, weather-sealed, fixed-size body. The wide f/2.8 max aperture allows action to be captured in low light and, combined with the telephoto focal lengths, allows the background to be blurred away. An added benefit is that this lens performs well with teleconverters, a great option for when you need even more focal length. This lens is not inexpensive, but the version II lens is impressively lightweight.
2. Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS Lens
Long Focal Length Range with Long Focal Lengths, Excellent Image Quality, Well-Constructed, Optical SteadyShot, Weather-Sealed
This lens's 100mm wide end has a noticeably narrower angle of view than the 70mm suggested to have available in a general-use telephoto lens, but gaining the 200-400mm range is often worth the trade-off. When wildlife, surfers, aircraft, large-field athletes, and other small/distant subjects are in the viewfinder, you will greatly appreciate having 400mm available. When 400mm is not long enough, this lens's teleconverter compatibility will be found advantageous. While the f/5.6 aperture available at the longest focal lengths is not so wide, that aperture allows the lens to be small in size and light enough in weight to be carried and hand-held for relatively long periods. This lens has Sony GM pro-grade build quality. This is not an inexpensive lens.
3. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens
Very Long Focal Lengths, Excellent Image Quality, Well-Constructed, Optical SteadyShot, Weather-Sealed
The focal length range in this lens is rather long for general purpose use, but I felt compelled to including this special lens on the best lens list. The long focal lengths are the biggest attraction for the Sony FE 200-600 (and teleconverter compatibility extends that reach), but this lens's superb image quality does not dissapoint. This is a relatively large and heavy lens with a moderately-high price tag. Compared to the Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens, the FE 200-600 appears small, lightweight, and a great deal.
4. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens
Excellent Image Quality, Great Telephoto Focal Lengths, Light Weight, Compact Size, Low Cost
Most photographers highly value a telephoto zoom lens with long focal lengths, a significant percentage of these photographers are looking for a lightweight, low cost option, and no one wants to give up great image quality or deal with a lens that does not perform well. The Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens is the perfect choice to meet those needs.
5. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
Extra Long Range of Long Focal Lengths, Great Build Quality, Superb Image Quality, Optical Stabilization, Affordable Price
The Sigma 150-600mm OS DN Sports Lens has a highly appealing focal length range complemented by a beautiful design, impressive build quality, excellent image quality, optical stabilization, excellent overall performance, and a very reasonable price. That combination is very attractive.
6. Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens
Extreme Focal Length Range, Great Build Quality, Great Image Quality, Optical Stabilization
For most telephoto purposes, this lens's focal length range is unsurpassed as I write this recommendation.
Like the Sigma 150-600mm OS DN Sports Lens, the Sigma 60-600mm F4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens has a beautiful design, impressive build quality, excellent image quality, optical stabilization, and excellent overall performance.
This lens is not small, light, or inexpensive, but it may be the only lens you need.
7. Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Lens
Long Range of Long Focal Lengths, Well-Built, Superb Image Quality, Vibration Control, Attractive Price
With this lens, Tamron provides a very attractive option for filling in a long range of long focal lengths. While this is not a compact, lightweight lens, it has those features relative to alternatives covering the 500mm. This is a fun lens to take solo for adventures making use of these focal lengths, including wildlife and sports.
8. Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II Lens
High Performing, Only Missing an f/2.8 Aperture (and some size, weight, and cost)
If you don't need the 70-200 f/2.8 Lens' f/2.8 max aperture, the 70-200 f/4 will give you everything else in a smaller, lighter, and less expensive package. Without the f/2.8 aperture, you will need twice as much light to stop subject motion (at f/4), and you will not be able to create a background as diffusely blurred. But, a substantial amount of size, weight, and cost are also foregone.
This lens includes pro-grade features including solid, weather-sealed build quality, and Optical SteadyShot. This is a great telephoto zoom lens option for landscape and travel, and the half lifesize (0.5x) macro capability may catch your attention.
9. Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens
Compact, Light, Sharp, Affordable, Slightly Shorter Focal Length Range
Tamron continues to produce great mirrorless lenses, and the 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens is another big hit. Though this lens's focal length range falls short of the competing 70-200mm models, it overcomes that shortcoming by providing great image quality from a compact and affordable package.
10. Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens
Great Price to Performance Ratio
This lens's small front-positioned zoom ring is not optimal, the OS hum in very quiet environments is slightly annoying, and it carries extra weight over its competition, but the advantages list is far longer. This attractive, weather-sealed lens has high-performing AF and optical stabilization systems that help obtain the outstanding performance the optical design is capable of. The excellent overall performance combined with a low price will make this lens the choice of many photographers.
11. Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens
Excellent General-Purpose Telephoto Zoom Focal Length Range, Light Weight, Compact Size, Affordable Price, Great Performance
This lens provides 50mm standard through to 300mm telephoto zoom capabilities without sacrificing the budget. The size and weight of this lens are attractive, as are its design and performance.
Visit the Sony Lens Recommendations page for more recommendations.
