13 Best Super Telephoto Lenses in 2023 (Updated)

Today we’re looking at the best super telephoto lenses. I’m a wildlife photographer, and I love taking close-ups of animals. But they can be pretty skittish, so I often have to shoot from a distance.

Fortunately, it’s much easier with a super telephoto lens. That means anything over 400mm… the point at which lenses start to get very heavy—and expensive!

After looking at all the factors, we decided the best super telephoto lens is the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. It performs to a high standard while also being available for an amazing price!

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Super Telephoto Lens

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S for Canon EF

Sigma 500mm F/4 DG OS HSM | S for Sigma SA

13 Best Super Telephoto Lenses

We have divided our list into two parts:

Best Super Telephoto Lenses for DSLRs

There are plenty of zoom lenses available for a DSLR. Everything depends on your camera brand and on how far your budget stretches!

Our Top Choice

Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 for Canon EF

Amazing price for its abilities
Very lightweight
Flex lock allows the zoom lens to be set in any position

Widest Zoom Range

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S for Canon EF

Wide zoom range for multiple styles of photography
Sharp and contrast-heavy imagery
Short minimum focusing distance

Best Prime Lens

Sigma 500mm F/4 DG OS HSM | S for Sigma SA

Super-fast autofocus abilities
Wide maximum aperture
Great build quality and handling for a large lens

Best Nikon Choice

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm F/5.6E FL ED VR

Exceptionally sharp
Supplied teleconverter pushes focal length to 1000mm
Fast and near-silent autofocus

Best 600mm Lens

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 600mm F/4G ED VR

Amazing image quality
Super-fast autofocus abilities
Great vibration reduction (VR) abilities

Sharpest 500mm Lens

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm F/5.6E PF ED VR

4-stop vibration reduction with Normal and Sport mode
Fast and near-silent autofocus
Relatively lightweight

Great Build Quality

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm F/5.6E ED VR

Sharp results from edge to edge
4.5-stop vibration reduction with Normal and Sport mode
Strong and rigid build quality

Best Canon Lens

Canon EF 800mm F/5.6L IS USM

Amazing image quality
Fast and precise autofocus
4-stop optical image stabilization with single-shot, panning, and exposure-only modes

Best Image Stabilization

Canon EF 600mm F/4L IS III USM

5-stop optical image stabilization with single-shot, panning, and exposure-only modes
Fast and near-silent autofocus
Wide maximum aperture

Best Canon 500mm Lens

Canon EF 500mm F/4L IS II USM

Sharp results from edge to edge
4-stop optical image stabilization with single-shot, panning, and exposure-only modes
Wide maximum aperture

1. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Brand	Brand Tamron
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5-6.3
Focal Range	Focal Range 150-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Photographers who want a super telephoto for a great price

This Tamron lens is an upgraded version of the SP 150-600mm G1, first introduced in December 2013. The SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 provides better overall optical performance. And it has a faster autofocus speed.

It also features vibration compensation enhancements, fluorine coating, and a flex zoom lock. And it has an optional custom-made 1.4x teleconverter.

It’s designed for amateurs who’d rather not spend quite so much as professionals… but want to squeeze that last drop of sharpness out of their images!

2. Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Brand	Brand Sigma
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.5-6.3
Focal Range	Focal Range 60-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Photographers who want a wide zoom range

Sigma’s 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM is the only lens with that range on the market. It offers such a huge zoom range. You could look at it as two lenses in one!

It also has a reasonably lightweight body. It comprises magnesium alloy, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, and a thermally stable composite. But the max aperture is a little narrow and gets narrower as you zoom in.

3. Sigma 500mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM

Brand	Brand Sigma
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Range	Focal Range 500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Photographers who love prime lenses

The 500mm f/4.0 DG OS HSM is Sigma’s flagship lens for sport and nature photography. It provides sharp images with a fast and accurate autofocus system and a wide max aperture.

It has one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and two Fluorite Low Dispersion (FLD) lens elements. They help minimize chromatic aberration and distortion and preserve image clarity.

4. Nikon AF-S FX 800mm f/5.6 ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Range	Focal Range 800 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Nikon photographers who want the longest focal length

The AF-S FX 800mm f/5.6 ED VR is the longest Nikon lens. The sharpness of the images is outstanding, and it paired very well with my old Nikon D850. It comes with a 1.25x attachment.

It’s the one I owned until very recently. If you don’t mind the weight and don’t often need to handhold, this is the lens for you!

5. Nikon AF-S FX 600mm f/4.0 ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Range	Focal Range 600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Nikon users who need a wide f/4 aperture

Nikon’s AF-S FX 600mm f/4.0 ED VR is the slightly longer equivalent of the 500mm AF-S f/4G ED VR SWM. It’s aimed at professional sports and nature photographers.

It has a wide max aperture. It features a sophisticated autofocus system for good low-light performance. And it shows Nikon’s usual level of sharpness and camera build quality.

It introduces lighter fluorite elements at the front. This makes it much easier to handle than the previous version. But it’s still heavier than the latest 600mm Canon equivalent.

6. AF-S FX 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Range	Focal Range 500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Nikon photographers who want complete control over manual focus

The AF-S FX 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR is a brilliant super-telephoto lens for Nikon DSLR cameras. It doesn’t have the fastest max aperture at f/5.6. But the built-in vibration reduction system helps you achieve the right exposure in low light. It’s also one of the sharpest 500mm lenses on the market.

7. Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR

Brand	Brand Nikon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Range	Focal Range 200-500 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Nikon photographers who want a super telephoto zoom lens

The AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR is designed for the “enthusiast” rather than the professional. Still, it outperforms the 150-600mm counterpart from Tamron. The Nikon has better focusing ability. And it performs better in low-light conditions or with a teleconverter.

It also has a constant max aperture of f/5.6. It’s an advantage over similar third-party lenses.

8. Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6
Focal Range	Focal Range 800 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Canon photographers who want the longest focal length

The EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM is the longest lens in Canon’s current range. And it’s excellent for getting close-ups or distance shots if you’re a wildlife photographer.

I had a Nikon 800mm lens for many years. And I took around two-thirds of all my shots with it. It was about the same weight as this Canon one. But that meant it was too heavy to handhold for more than a few seconds at a time.

9. Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4
Focal Range	Focal Range 600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Canon users who need a wide f/4 aperture with a long focal length

The EF 600mm f/4L IS USM is another L-series lens. It’s great for sports, wildlife, or photojournalism. It’s also light enough to handhold. The new design shifts most glass elements to the back of the lens to improve balance and handling.

It’s the sixth generation of Canon’s 600mm f/4 series. And it’s the third version with image stabilization to help with camera shake. It encapsulates the very best in lens technology.

10. Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/
Focal Range	Focal Range mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Canon users who need a wide f/4 aperture

The EF 500mm f/4.0L IS II USM is part of Canon’s premium L-series of telephoto lenses. This lens is designed for wildlife and sports photographers. It provides sharpness, fast autofocus, and exemplary performance in low light.

Best Super Telephoto Lenses for Mirrorless Cameras

There are very few extreme telephoto lenses available for mirrorless cameras. And Nikon doesn’t have a single one over 400mm! This will change in the next couple of years. But Canon and Sony are currently the market leaders.

Our Top Choice

Sony FE 600mm F/4 GM OSS SEL600F40GM

Fast and precise autofocus
Great selection of lens controls
Durable and lightweight build quality

Best Zoom Option

Sony FE 200-600mm F/5.6-6.3 G OSS SEL200600G

Wide telephoto zoom range
Teleconverter compatibility
Internal zoom design

Best Canon Lens

Canon RF 100-500mm F/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Sharp telephoto from edge to edge
Adjustable zoom tension
Lightweight and compact design

1. Sony FE 600mm f/4.0 GM

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 4.0
Focal Range	Focal Range 600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Sony mirrorless users

Sony’s FE 600mm f/4.0 GM prime lens belongs to the premium G Master series of lenses. It is the longest lens in the Sony lineup and the lightest 600mm lens on the market.

It’s designed for wildlife, sports, and action photography. And it boasts excellent image quality and rapid, precise autofocus. I already have the 400mm f/2.8… and this is next on my list!

2. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

Brand	Brand Sony
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/ 5.6-6.3
Focal Range	Focal Range 200-600 mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Sony photographers who want a wide zoom

Sony’s FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS is another lens designed for wildlife, sports, and action photography. It boasts excellent image quality. And its affordable price shows that it’s aimed at the “enthusiast” market.

3. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Brand	Brand Canon
Maximum Aperture	Maximum Aperture f/
Focal Range	Focal Range mm
Image Stabilization	Image Stabilization
Best For	Best For Canon mirrorless users

Canon’s RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens is part of Canon’s premium L-series. It is a specialist mirrorless lens designed for sports and nature photographers. It gives you sharpness, fast autofocus, and portability. The weather sealing and lens coatings also make it a durable kit.

What to Look for in Super Telephoto Lenses

There are four main factors for super telephoto lenses:

Focal length
Max aperture
Image quality
Autofocus

All those come at a price, though. You might have to compromise in a few different ways:

Buy zoom lenses rather than primes.
Buy a third-party lens from Sigma or Tamron.
Buy a lens with a narrower maximum aperture. (Larger f-stop number)

Conclusion

If you shoot wildlife like me, I’d go mirrorless and pair a Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS with a Sony a1. But not everyone can afford the best super telephoto lenses at any price. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, I recommend going for the Sony 200-600mm with a cheaper mirrorless camera, such as a second-hand Sony A7.

Finally, do you already have a DSLR and can’t face trading it in? I suggest saving for either the Nikon AF NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR or the Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM with a built-in extender. But most importantly, which is the best super telephoto lens for you?

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best Super Telephoto Lens

Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S for Canon EF

Sigma 500mm F/4 DG OS HSM | S for Sigma SA