Best lenses for wildlife photography in 2022

Are you wondering where to start when tracking down the best lenses for wildlife photography? When it comes to capturing wildlife with your camera, there’s no substitute for getting in close with a long lens.

Chances are most enthusiast photographers already have a telephoto zoom in their bag of the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 type (or equivalent). These are a great starting point for wildlife but, if you want to get serious about the subject, they can be limiting.

How to choose the best lenses for wildlife photography

Longer telephoto zooms are the obvious step up, as they let you home in on the action without physically having to be too close to a timid or dangerous animal. Some long prime lenses are well worth considering, too. These make up for not zooming by offering other advantages, such as larger apertures, higher-quality optics, or lighter weight.

Naturally, there’s always a practical compromise to be made when choosing a lens. Is it a comfortable size and weight for you to carry and use? There’s no point in buying a massive lens that you just end up leaving at home. Is it dust and weather-sealed? This could be important given that wildlife photography is usually an outdoor pursuit. What’s the minimum focus distance? This matters if you want to shoot small animals close-up. Also, does it accept teleconverters? These are now much more practical on mirrorless cameras than with DSLRs, as autofocus continues to work and the viewfinder remains bright and clear at small apertures.

Thankfully, there are some great long telephoto lenses on the market that won’t break the bank (or your back). Here’s our pick of the best lenses for wildlife photography.

What are the best lenses for wildlife photography? – DSLR users

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Price | £2,589 / $2399

At a glance:

• 77mm filter thread
• 98cm minimum focus
• 193mm length x 94mm diameter
• Weighs 1640g
• Canon EF mount

All the camera makers produce high-end 400mm zooms, typically offering a decent range in a relatively portable package with fast, quiet autofocus and optical image stabilisation. For many photographers, these are the logical next step beyond 70-300mm type lenses for shooting wildlife. Canon’s current EF-mount optic is a particularly fine example. It’s a significant improvement on the firm’s original version, being impressively sharp at all focal lengths. While it’s designed for full-frame DSLRs, it also offers a very useful 160-640mm equivalent range on APS-C models. It’s pricey, though, so photographers on a budget may wish to look at alternatives from Tamron and Sigma.

Read our Field Test review of the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.

---

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Price | £1,399 / $1396

At a glance:

• 95mm filter thread
• 2.2m minimum focus
• 268mm length x 108mm diameter
• Weighs 2300g
• Nikon F mount

For Nikon DSLR shooters, the 200-500mm f/5.6 offers a unique option, being a relatively affordable telephoto lens that provides a usefully longer range then conventional 100-400mm design. Use it on a DX-format camera such as the Nikon D500, and this extends to fully 750mm equivalent. Its f/5.6 maximum aperture means that it’s relatively portable considering its range, and not so heavy that it can’t be shot handheld. Focusing is snappy and accurate, thanks to the AF-S motor. However, it’s not claimed to be weather-sealed, and being an E-type lens with an electromagnetic diaphragm, won’t work on older Nikon DSLR bodies. So do check compatibility with your camera before buying.

---

Pentax D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW

Price | £1979 / $1896

At a glance:

• 86mm filter thread
• 2m minimum focus
• 242mm length x 95mm diameter
• 2000g weight
• Pentax KAF3 mount

Rather than slavishly matching its rivals with a 100-400mm telezoom, Ricoh Imaging came up with something a little different. Designed for use on the full-frame K-1 and K-1 Mark II, this longer 150-450mm design is also entirely at home on the firm’s APS-C models, on which it provides an impressive 225-675mm equivalent range. The lens employs a built-in autofocus motor, backed up by Quick Shift Manual focus, and boasts weather-resistant construction. With Pentax SLRs including in-body image stabilisation, this is the only lens on our list that doesn’t include built-in optical stabilisation. Combined with its hefty size and 2kg weight, this means that users may well find a monopod helpful to minimise shake and aid composition.

---

Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C

Price | £699 / $899

At a glance:

• 67mm filter thread
• 1.6m minimum focus
• 182mm length x 86mm diameter
• Weighs 1160g
• Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts

Many users can’t justify the cost of long zooms, and don’t want to cart around the weight, either. But this Sigma telezoom addresses these issues: it’s very affordable for a long-telephoto zoom, and noticeably smaller and lighter than most other 100-400mm optics, too. This comes at the cost of maximum aperture, but with the high ISO performance of modern cameras, that’s of lesser concern than it might once have been.

While it’s designed for full-frame DSLRs, this is also a great choice for APS-C cameras, giving a 150-600mm equivalent range. However, users should be aware that it’s not weather sealed. Being designed for hand-held shooting, it doesn’t come with a tripod mount ring either.

Read our review of the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C.

---

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S

Price | £1,329 / $1499

At a glance:

• 105mm filter thread
• 2.6m minimum focus
• 290mm length x 121mm diameter
• Weighs 2860g
• Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts

Sigma offers two 150-600mm zooms designed for use on full-frame DSLRs, with the same base specifications. We especially like the Sport version – it’s huge and expensive, but seriously sharp, with impressively fast autofocus. It’s not so big that you can’t shoot it handheld at a pinch, although for extended sessions you’ll probably want a sturdy monopod. It boasts dust and splash resistant construction for outdoor use, while for those who need even longer reach, it can be bought with a 1.4x teleconverter for a £100 premium. The firm also makes a ‘Contemporary’ version that’s smaller, lighter, and much more affordable, at £849, but doesn’t give quite the same image quality.

---

Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD

Price | £819 / $799

At a glance:

• 67mm filter thread
• 1.5m minimum focus
• 199mm length x 86mm diameter
• Weighs 1135g
• Canon EF and Nikon F mounts

If weight is your primary concern, this Tamron optic has the distinction of being the lightest 100-400mm lens for DSLRs on the market. It also stands out from its most direct rival from Sigma in offering a tripod mount foot as an optional accessory. Key features include an ultrasonic-type autofocus motor for fast, silent focusing and 4-stop optical stabilisation. The design also boasts moisture resistant construction and fluorine coating aimed to give you peace of mind in bad weather. Last but not least, this lens is compatible with Tamron’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, for even greater reach. Just be aware that the viewfinder will get dark and autofocus is unlikely to be reliable, if it works at all.

---

Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD

Price | £679 / $599

At a glance:

• 72mm filter thread
• 45cm minimum focus
• 124mm length x 79mm diameter
• Weighs 710g
• Canon EF and Nikon F mounts

All-in-one superzooms aren’t usually the first choice for wildlife, but they can be handy in situations where you need to travel light or don’t have time to change lenses. Tamron’s ground-breaking 18-400mm for APS-C DSLRs is the longest lens of its type, with its 22.2x zoom providing an impressive 27-600mm equivalent range. It’s also dust- and splash-resistant for outdoor shooting, while optical stabilisation is on board to combat camera shake, which is essential with such a long lens. You won’t get as sharp pictures as you would with a premium telephoto lens, but it’ll certainly be better than not getting the shot at all.

Read our review of the Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD.

---

What’s the best mirrorless lens for wildlife photography?

If you’re a mirrorless camera shooter, these are some of the best lenses available now:

Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM

Price | £699 / $649

At a glance:

• 67mm filter thread
• 0.88m minimum focus
• 165mm length x 80mm diameter
• Weighs 635g
• Canon RF mount

This unusual optic for Canon’s EOS R-series full-frame mirrorless cameras has the distinction of being the smallest, lightest, and most affordable 100-400mm lens on the market by quite some margin. It achieves this by using a modest maximum aperture that’s a stop smaller than usual for this type of lens. As a result, you’ll often need to increase the ISO setting by a stop to keep shutter speeds up and avoid subject motion blur. You also won’t get quite so much blur when shooting a subject against an out-of-focus background. But this could prove a small price to pay for a lens that’s highly portable and easy to shoot hand-held.

Read our review of the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM.

---

Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM

Price | £2,979 / $2899

At a glance:

• 77 mm filter thread
• 0.9m minimum focus
• 208mm length x 94mm diameter
• Weighs 1530g
• Canon RF mount

Rather than simply recreate its DSLR lenses for mirrorless, Canon has routinely come up with something a little different for its RF-mount range. This lens is a case in point: it achieves a usefully extended focal length range while being lighter and only slightly longer than its EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 counterpart. In other respects, it retains all the features you’d expect from Canon’s pro ‘L’ series, including weather-sealed construction, fast, silent autofocus and effective optical image stabilisation. It’s also compatible with Canon’s RF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters without any significant loss of functionality. It doesn’t come cheap, but it has a lot to offer for demanding wildlife shooters.

---

Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM

Price | £1,099 / $999

At a glance:

• 95mm filter thread
• 6m minimum focus
• 282mm length x 102mm diameter
• Weighs 1260g
• Canon RF mount

This unusual lens is another striking example of Canon’s imaginative optical innovation, being the most portable and affordable 800mm autofocus lens on the market by a huge margin. In fact, it’s light enough to be entirely usable hand-held, which is unprecedented for such a long lens, especially on full-frame. Thanks to its quick autofocus, effective optical stabilisation and sharp optics, it’s also capable of delivering fine results. It’s still rather bulky, though, and the fixed f/11 aperture can be restrictive at times, requiring the use of high ISO settings even in good light. Another drawback is the long 6m minimum focus distance. Canon also makes a similar 600mm f/11 model that’s smaller and lighter, and costs £860.

---

What’s the best Nikon lens for wildlife photography?

Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Price | £2,699 / $2696

At a glance:

• 77mm filter thread
• 75cm minimum focus
• 222mm length x 98mm diameter
• Weighs 1355g
• Nikon Z mount

Judging from the specs alone, you might think there’s nothing particularly outstanding about Nikon’s Z-mount 100-400mm telezoom. The firm boasts that it’s the lightest in its class, but not by very much. In other respects, it ticks all the boxes we’d expect. It boasts pro-spec weather-sealed construction, employs dual stepper motors for fast, silent focusing, and includes optical image stabilisation rated for an impressive 5.5 stops of shake reduction. In practical use, it turns out to be an excellent lens that’s a fine match for the firm’s high-speed, high-resolution flagship Nikon Z9, delivering sharp images time after time. It’s the kind of lens you can rely upon to deliver, no matter how difficult the conditions.

See why we gave the Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S five stars

---

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS Pro

Price | £6,499 / $7499

At a glance:

• 95mm filter thread
• 1.3m minimum focus
• 314mm length x 116mm diameter
• Weighs 1875g
• Micro Four Thirds mount

It may be sizeable and seriously expensive, but this beast of a lens demands inclusion in our list by virtue of its extraordinary telephoto reach. Built for use on Micro Four Thirds cameras such as the OM System OM-1, it offers a 300-800mm equivalent range; engage the built-in switchable teleconverter, and this extends to 375-1000mm equivalent at an aperture of f/5.6. In the unlikely event this isn’t long enough, it’s also compatible with 1.4x and 2x Olympus teleconverters, giving 1400mm and 2000mm respectively. The lens isn’t just good for distant subjects, either; its 1.3m minimum focus distance enables super-telephoto macro shooting, with 1.0x equivalent magnification. Other key features include optical stabilisation with Sync IS, and full weather-sealing.

Read Andrew Fusek Peters’ review of the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS Pro

---

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS Pro

Price | £2,399 / $2999

At a glance:

• 77mm filter thread
• 1.4m minimum focus
• 227mm length x 92.5 diameter
• Weighs 1270g
• Micro Four Thirds mount

Before the appearance of the 150-400mm, this superb prime had established itself as the go-to option for Olympus users in need of top-quality glass for wildlife photography. Offering a 600mm equivalent range in a relatively compact package, it’s also compatible with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, giving barely any drop in performance with the 1.4x converter in particular. At 1270g, it weighs less than most high-end telephoto zooms, making it an excellent choice for pros and enthusiasts looking for a highly mobile set-up. It’s designed for shooting in difficult conditions, being dust, freeze and splashproof. It also benefits from the firm’s class-leading Sync IS system to combat camera shake and give sharp images hand-held.

---

What’s the best lens for wildlife photography on a budget?

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 II Power OIS

Price | £499 / $647

At a glance:

• 67mm filter thread
• 1.5m minimum focus
• 126mm length x 74mm diameter
• Weighs 520g
• Micro Four Thirds mount

If there’s one lens that epitomises the size advantages of Micro Four Thirds for telephoto shooting, it’s this hugely popular 100-300mm zoom. One of Panasonic’s earliest lenses for its Lumix G system in its original guise, it gives a 200-600mm equivalent range in a very compact package, complete with optical image stabilisation and fast, silent focusing. The updated ‘mark II’ version adds weather-resistant construction and compatibility with Panasonic’s Dual IS system, in a smart all-black finish. It may not quite match the image quality of higher-end optics, especially at the long end of the zoom, but makes up for this with its bargain price.

---

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm ASPH F4-5.6 OIS

Price | £1149 / $1597

At a glance:

• 72mm filter thread
• 1.3m minimum focus
• 172mm length x 83mm diameter
• Weighs 985g
• Micro Four Thirds mount

Micro Four Thirds users have two optically fine 200-800mm equivalent telephoto zooms to choose from, but in practical terms, we prefer Panasonic’s Leica-badged offering. Weighing in at under a kilogram, it’s one of the most portable 100-400mm lenses available, and considerably smaller and lighter than its Olympus counterpart. This makes it the ideal choice for wildlife photographers looking to travel light while packing serious telephoto range. This premium optic also features weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting, along with extremely effective optical stabilisation that makes it easy to use hand-held. As the icing on the cake, its 1.3m minimum focus distance is great for shooting small subjects such as insects.

---

Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Price | £1,699 / $1899

At a glance:

• 95mm filter thread
• 1.75m minimum focus
• 211mm length x 95mm diameter
• Weighs 1375g
• Fujifilm X mount

Unlike other 100-400mm zooms, Fujifilm’s is optimised purely for use on the firm’s APS-C X-system cameras, giving an impressive 150-600mm equivalent range. If you need to go even longer, the lens is also compatible with Fujifilm’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, which have surprisingly little impact on the lens’s excellent autofocus performance. Key features include highly effective optical image stabilisation that’s rated for 5 stops of blur suppression and includes automatic panning detection. The lens is dust and water resistant and will operate in conditions down to -10 °C. Thanks to its reasonably lightweight build, it’s also a lens that you can happily shoot handheld all day.

---

Fujifilm XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

Price | £1,899 / $1999

At a glance:

• 82mm filter thread
• 2.4m minimum focus
• 315mm length x 99mm diameter
• Weighs 1605g
• Fujifilm X mount

Fujifilm’s latest optic goes a step further than its 100-400mm sibling, in offering a staggering 900mm equivalent range at a surprisingly affordable price. Yet this comes in a reasonably lightweight design that’s entirely usable for hand-held shooting. It achieves this by using a small f/5.6-8 maximum aperture, which keeps the size manageable, but means it’s best suited to shooting in relatively good light. The lens is compatible with Fujifilm’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters for even longer range, although with even smaller effective apertures. As part of Fujifilm’s premium ‘red-badge’ range, the lens boasts high-end optics and built-in stabilisation. It employs a matte silver finish for shooting in hot weather and is fully weather-sealed.

---

Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN | C

Price | £899 / $899

At a glance:

• 67mm filter thread
• 1.1m minimum focus
• 197mm length x 86mm diameter
• Weighs 1135g
• Sony E and L mount

For E-mount and L-mount users looking for a portable and affordable long telephoto option, Sigma has come up trumps. Designed from the ground up for full-frame mirrorless cameras, it can also be used on APS-C models, giving a 150-600mm equivalent range. Highlights include a dual action zoom design, either by rotating the zoom ring or pushing and pulling the lens hood, and four-stop optical image stabilisation with a dedicated panning mode. A tripod mount ring is available as an optional accessory. The main concession to its relatively low price is that the lens isn’t weather-sealed, although it does have a seal around the mount to help protect the camera.

Read our five star review of the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN | C

---

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN | S

Price | £1,199 / $1089

At a glance:

• 95mm filter thread
• 2.8m minimum focus
• 266mm length x 109mm diameter
• Weighs 2100g
• Sony E and L mounts

Sigma’s longest telephoto lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras combines the best features of its two DSLR offerings with the same focal length range. It promises the superb optical quality of the older ‘Sports’ lens, but in much more compact dimensions similar to the ‘Contemporary’ version. It also includes Sigma’s dual action zoom design, allowing quick push/pull zooming, with the zoom torque switchable between ‘tight’ and ‘smooth’. The barrel boasts dust and splash resistant construction, and the lens comes with a detachable tripod foot that features an Arca-Swiss type profile for clamping directly onto many tripod or monopod heads. The L-mount version is also compatible with 1.4x and 2x teleconverters.

---

Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS

Price | £769 / $998

At a glance:

• 77mm filter thread
• 1.1m minimum focus
• 142mm length x 77mm diameter
• Weighs 625g
• Sony E-mount (APS-C)

Smaller sensors bring inherent advantages for shooting distant subjects such as wildlife, as they allow long telephoto reach to be attained using lighter, more compact optics. Designed for use on Sony’s A6000-series APS-C cameras, this lens offers a 105-525mm equivalent range in a package that’s smaller, lighter, and more affordable than the firm’s full-frame 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 design. As part of the G-series range, it boasts premium optics and is one of only a select few E-series lenses to include weather-sealing. It also boasts an AF-stop button and physical switches for controlling focus and stabilisation modes, making it an ideal companion to Sony’s top-end A6500 and A6600 APS-C bodies.

---

Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Price | £2,149 / $2498

At a glance:

• 77mm filter thread
• 98cm minimum focus
• 205mm length x 94mm diameter
• Weighs 1395g
• Sony E mount

Perfectly matched to Sony’s high-speed full-frame mirrorless cameras, this stunning lens combines fantastic image quality with super-fast, near silent autofocus and extremely effective image stabilisation. While it’s full-frame compatible, it can also be used on APS-C bodies such as the Alpha 6600, giving a 600mm equivalent reach. For those who need to go longer, it’s also compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, while retaining autofocus. Of course, there’s no getting away from the fact that this lens is seriously pricey compared to third-party offerings from Sigma and Tamron. But in return, it’s a reliable workhorse that’s guaranteed to keep up with the Alpha 1’s 30 frames per second shooting.

---

Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

Price | £1,599 / $1998

At a glance:

• Filter thread 95mm
• 2.4mm minimum focus
• 318mm length x 111.5 mm diameter
• Weighs 2115g
• Sony E mount

For Sony wildlife shooters in need of a versatile long telephoto zoom, this is a particularly strong contender. Unlike older 600mm zooms designed for DSLRs, it employs an internal zoom design for dramatically improved operability. This makes it much quicker and easier to zoom between the extremes of the range, with the balance also remaining unchanged for more comfortable hand-held shooting. Autofocus is fast and accurate thanks to Sony’s Direct Drive SSM system, and the image quality is excellent, too. The lens is fully weather sealed and incorporates three customisable focus-hold buttons. It’s still quite large and weighty, as befits a 600mm zoom, but the price comes as a pleasant surprise.

Read our review of the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

---

Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

Price | £1,199 / $1399

At a glance:

• 82mm filter thread
• 60cm minimum focus
• 210mm length x 93mm diameter
• Weighs 1728g
• Sony E mount

Tamron is no stranger to long telephotos, having produced the first 150-600mm zoom for full-frame DSLRs. With mirrorless it’s taken a different direction, producing a 150-500mm optic that’s not dramatically larger or heavier than typical 100-400mm designs. This means that you can pack it into a smaller bag than you’d probably expect for a 500mm lens. Built for use on full-frame cameras, it includes such desirable features as optical stabilisation for hand-held shooting and autofocus powered by a quiet, precise VXD linear motor. Tamron also says it’s fully compatible with Sony’s advanced features such as Eye AF and in-camera optical aberration correction. A removable Arca-Swiss compatible tripod mount ring comes as standard.

 Article: Claire Gillo / Andy Westlake

---

Now you’re found the best lenses for wildlife photography, have a look at these articles to learn more:

How to check a second-hand lens for faults
How to capture fast moving birds and animals
Best cameras for wildlife photography
Beginners guide to wildlife photography

---

Follow AP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.