Best Telephoto Camera Lenses of 2025

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2025

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Telephoto camera lenses are a popular choice for photographers who want to capture distant subjects with clarity and detail. These lenses have a longer focal length than standard lenses, allowing the photographer to magnify the image and bring it closer. They are ideal for wildlife and sports photography, as well as for capturing landscapes from a distance. Telephoto lenses are available in a range of sizes and prices, from affordable consumer models to professional-grade lenses that can cost thousands of dollars. They are compatible with a variety of camera brands and models, making them a versatile addition to any photographer's toolkit.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Big Mike's 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens Cover #TOP 1
Big Mike's 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens Cover #TOP 2
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens
ftb score rating icon 9.8
JINTU 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens Cover #TOP 3
JINTU 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Telephoto Camera Lenses

#TOP 1

Big Mike's 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens

Big Mike's
4332060496
Big Mike's 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens Cover
High-Power 420-1600mm f/8.3 HD Manual Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS 80D, EOS 90D, Rebel T3, T3i, T5, T5i, T6i, T6s, T7, T7I, T8I, SL3, EOS 70D, EOS 5D, EOS5D IV, EOS 6D II, EOS 7D II SLR Cameras

The Big Mike's Telephoto Lens offers incredible versatility for capturing distant subjects with its impressive zoom range of 420mm to 1600mm. This lens is perfect for wildlife and sports photography, allowing you to get closer to your subjects without disturbing them. Its compatibility with various Canon cameras means you can easily attach it to your existing gear. With a sophisticated f/8.3 aperture, you can expect sharp, clear images, even at long distances. Plus, the manual focus feature gives you complete control over your shots, ensuring you capture every detail beautifully.

What We Like
High zoom capability
Compatible with many Canon models
Sharp, clear images
Manual focus control

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens

6473A003AA
Black
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens Cover
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, 6473A003 (Renewed)

The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens is a great choice for amateur photographers looking for a budget-friendly telephoto lens. It features a DC Autofocus Motor, 4.9' Minimum Focus Distance, and 58mm Filter Thread Diameter. It has a 32- to 8-degree diagonal angle of view and improved mechanism for smoother zooming. Customers have praised its sharpness and color, as well as its auto focus capabilities. It is an excellent value for the price.

What We Like
Affordable
Versatile zoom range
Well-built and balanced
#TOP 3

JINTU 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens

JT4201600mmccnn1
white
JINTU 420-1600mm Telephoto Lens Cover
EF/EF-S Mount Lens - JINTU 420-1600mm f/8.3 HD Manual Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Camera 4000D 2000D T8i T7i T7 T6 T6s T6i T5 80D 77D 650D 70D 60D 50D 5D 1D X Mark III/II, 5D Mark IV, 6D Mark II

The JINTU Telephoto Lens is designed for capturing stunning long-distance shots, perfect for sports and wildlife photography. With its impressive 2X teleconverter, you can extend your reach to an incredible 1600mm, allowing you to photograph distant landscapes and elusive creatures with ease. This lens is compatible with a wide range of Canon EOS cameras, making it versatile for various users. Built with a robust metal body and advanced glass coatings, it ensures exceptional clarity while offering full control through manual focus, so you can achieve the perfect shot every time.

What We Like
Long-distance photography capability
2X teleconverter for extended reach
Compatible with many Canon models
Durable metal construction
Manual focus for precise control
#TOP 4

Canon Telephoto Zoom Lens with 75-300mm Focal Length

75-300mm
Black
300mm
Canon Telephoto Zoom Lens with 75-300mm Focal Length Cover
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens Black

This Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens is made up of 13 elements in 9 groups with a focal length of 75-300mm 1:4-5.6. It has a front group rotating extension system with Micromotor for focus adjustment, the lens construction provides 32° 11' - 8° 15' diagonal angle of view and closest focusing distance of 1.5m/ 4.9 ft. It is a great choice for SLR camera lenses.

What We Like
Offers a wide range of focal length for telephoto zoom shots
Great lens construction with high-quality materials
Easy focus adjustment for better control over the shot

JINTU 420-800mm f/8.3-F16 Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS DSLR Cameras

420-800mm super telephoto lens
black
JINTU 420-800mm f/8.3-F16 Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS DSLR Cameras Cover
JINTU 420-800mm f/ 8.3 Manual Telephoto Zoom Lens + T-Mount for Canon EOS Rebel SL2 SL1 T3 T3i T4i T5 T5i T6 T6i T6s T7 T7i 4000D 6D 7D 60D 70D 77D 80D 5D II/III/IV 550D 650D SLR Camera Lenses

The JINTU 420-800mm MF Super HD Telephoto lens is a lightweight, solidly built lens with a full metal body and a compact size of 10.6 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches. It offers ultra-high-definition image quality with Japan's design, multi-coated low-dispersion glass, and oxidation on the lens body for paint loss and wear resistance. This lens is compatible with Canon Digital SLR Cameras, making it perfect for wildlife or nature photography, sports, and moon shots. It comes with a 2-year warranty and is manual with no auto-focus feature.

What We Like
Lightweight and compact
Ultra-high-definition image quality
Compatible with Canon Digital SLR Cameras
#TOP 6

Lightdow 420-800mm f/8.3 Manual Zoom Super Telephoto Lens

KD-420800-T-N
For Canon EF (DSLR)
Lightdow 420-800mm f/8.3 Manual Zoom Super Telephoto Lens Cover
EF/EF-S 420-800mm F/8.3 Telephoto Zoom Lens - Manual DSLR Cameras Lenses+ T-Mount for Canon EOS Rebel T8i/T7i/T7/T6s/T6i/T6/T5i/T5/T4i/T3i/T3/T2i/T1i/250D/750D/760D/1200D/1300D/2000D/4000D/6D/5D

The Lightdow 420-800mm f/8.3 Manual Zoom Super Telephoto Lens is a great choice for those looking for a budget-friendly telephoto lens. It features multi-coated low-dispersion glass, anti-reflection coating, and manual focus telephoto zoom lens for DSLR SLR cameras. It is compatible with Canon EF and EF-S mountings and comes with a T-mount adapter for easy installation. Customers have praised the lens for its impressive image quality, solid construction, and affordability.

What We Like
Multi-coated low-dispersion glass and anti-reflection coating
Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S mountings
Solid full metal construction
Affordable price
Impressive image quality

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens

CR-75-300-101617
Bkack
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens Cover
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens with UV Filter (Renewed)

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens is a renewed lens with a f/4-5.6 maximum aperture, compatible with Canon DSLR Cameras, and comes with a 58mm UV filter for lens protection. The improved mechanism makes zooming smoother. It works well with Canon Rebel and EOS models, as well as full-frame cameras.

What We Like
Smooth zooming due to improved mechanism
Compatible with a wide range of Canon DSLR and full-frame cameras
Comes with a 58mm UV filter for lens protection
#TOP 8

Lightdow 420-800mm Telephoto Lens

420-800mm
White
Lightdow 420-800mm Telephoto Lens Cover
Lightdow Telephoto Lens 420-800mm F/8.3 for Canon EF Manual Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Rebel T8i T7 T7i T6 T6s T6i T5 T5i T4i T3i T3 T2i T1i 250D 750D 760D 1200D 1300D 2000D DSLR Cameras

The Lightdow Telephoto Lens offers a focal range of 420-800mm, allowing you to capture distant subjects like wildlife, the moon, and landscapes in stunning detail. This fully manual lens provides you with complete control over focus, enabling you to create unique images tailored to your vision. While it requires manual adjustments for optimal settings, this feature enhances your photography skills. Additionally, it is compatible with various Canon EOS Rebel models, making it a versatile choice for Canon users looking to elevate their photography experience.

What We Like
High focal length range
Full manual control
Compatible with many Canon models
Ideal for wildlife photography
#TOP 9

JINTU 500mm/1000mm Telephoto Lens

JT1000MMBNK
Black C/N Mount
JINTU 500mm/1000mm Telephoto Lens Cover
EF/EF-S Mount Lens,JINTU 500mm/1000mm f/8 Manual Telephoto Lens for Canon EOS Rebel T8i T7i T7 T6 T6s T6i SL3 SL2 4000D 2000D 1200D, 1100D, 70D 77D 650D 60D 80D, 90D, 5D IV, 6D II, 7D II SLR Cameras

The JINTU Telephoto Lens is designed for capturing stunning long-distance images, making it perfect for sports and wildlife photography. Its lightweight design means you can easily take it on your adventures. With high-quality imaging capabilities, this lens produces a beautiful bokeh effect, enhancing your photos with a pleasing background blur. Additionally, the included 2X teleconverter effectively doubles the lens's reach, allowing you to photograph distant landscapes or celestial objects with ease. This manual focus lens gives you full control over your shots, ensuring you can achieve the perfect focus every time.

What We Like
Long-distance photography capability
Lightweight and portable
High-quality bokeh effect
2X teleconverter included
Manual focus for precise control
#TOP 10

BENOISON 420-800mm Telephoto Lens

BENOISON
420-800
White
BENOISON 420-800mm Telephoto Lens Cover
BENOISON 420-800mm Telephoto Lens for Canon - EF Lens for Canon DSLR, Manual Focus MF Zoom Lens for Canon EOS Rebel SL3 SL2 SL1 T8i T7i T7 T6 4000D 1500D 90D 80D 77D 70D 60D 7D 6D 5D 1D DSLR Cameras

The BENOISON Telephoto Lens is a manual focus lens designed specifically for Canon DSLR cameras. With a focal length range of 420-800mm, it allows you to capture stunning wildlife or moon shots from a distance. The lens features a fixed aperture of F/8.3-16, providing clarity in various lighting conditions. Its EF/EF-S mount ensures easy compatibility with a wide range of Canon models without the need for additional adapters. Built with high-quality materials, this lens is durable and perfect for outdoor photography enthusiasts looking to enhance their skills.

What We Like
Wide focal length range
Compatible with many Canon models
Durable construction
Ideal for wildlife photography
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. WHAT is A telephoto lens good for?

Telephoto lenses have longer focal lengths and are great for bringing distant scenes and subjects closer. Like wide-angle lenses, they come in both prime (fixed focal length) and zoom varieties.

2. What lens is best for zoom?

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS More than anything, though, this is a lens that fully deserves its G (Gold) stamp and high place on our best zoom lenses list. It's pretty sharp with the aperture wide open and improves throughout its aperture range – albeit most astrophotographers will be at the opened-up end.

3. What is telephoto lens in camera?

A telephoto lens is a long-focus lens that allows photographers to utilize a focal length that is in fact shorter than the lens' physical length. A telephoto lens will attach to the camera body of your SLR or DSLR camera, such as those manufactured by Canon, Nikon, and other leading brands.

4. Which is better telephoto or zoom lens?

Zoom simply means that the focal length (apparent magnification) of the lens can be changed, ie, it looks like it can look at things either closer up or further away by adjusting it. Telephoto, roughly, means that the lens has a relatively narrow field of view, thus it can be used to look at things further away.

Editor's Notes

During our telephoto camera lense research, we found 16 telephoto camera lense products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 18,109 customer reviews through our big data system to write the telephoto camera lenses list. We found that most customers choose telephoto camera lenses with an average price of $105.21.

The telephoto camera lenses are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of telephoto camera lenses, including Big Mike's, Canon, JINTU, lightdow, BENOISON. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,323 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Alan Eaton Avatar

Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.