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Best Canon Telephoto Lenses
Canon produces several telephoto lenses which are suitable for one or more special purposes.
To help you decide the best telephoto lens for you from Canon, we have reviewed and listed the 5 best Canon telephoto lenses.
Best Canon Telephoto Lenses
After trying and testing the latest models, our photography expert selected these top 5 Canon telephoto lenses for you:
1 – Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
The Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM is an incredible improvement from the previous model. This model sports a noticeably faster and more silent Nano USM autofocus system.
This is great for capturing smooth transitions in your videos. This model provides the best advantages of ultrasonic and stepping-motor systems in one.
Additionally, the focus stays still and does not rotate during autofocus in the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM. Improved stabilizer with a 4-stop rating also assists in capturing crystal-clear pictures of distant subjects.
Features
- Mount – Canon EF
- Autofocus – Nano USM
- Full Frame compatibility – Yes
- Minimum Focus Distance – 1.2 meters
- Stabilizer – Yes
- Filter Thread – 67 mm
- Weight – 710 grams
- Dimensions – 80 mm x 146 mm (W x L)
2 – Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
The Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM is extremely lightweight and ideal for use with APS-C format DSLR cameras.
Normally, the lens produces a comparatively smaller image circle and hence is not compatible with full-frame DSLR cameras.
This model is more advanced than the IS II model as it has the innovative and smooth Stepping Motor System (STM) autofocus that helps capture stills faster and provides an impressive transition to videos.
Its affordable price tag is also one of the major benefits of buying the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM.
Features
- Mount – Canon EF-S
- Autofocus – Stepping Motor System (STM)
- Full Frame Compatibility – No
- Minimum Focus Distance – 0.85 meters
- Stabilizer – Yes
- Filter Thread – 58 mm
- Weight – 375 grams
- Dimensions – 70 mm x 111 mm (W x L)
3 – Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 GD OS HSN is all about making photography faster. The “Sports” collection under the Global Vision series from Canon comes with a constant-capture zoom. It has enhanced speed and performance.
A swift ring-type ultrasonic system, along with an AF on/hold button on the lens barrel, makes autofocus easier.
The lens is easily customizable to be used with mid-range to high-end DSLR cameras from Canon.
The Sigma also comes equipped with the full range of automatic lens aberration corrections as well as two switchable dedicated custom modes, which can be installed using the optional Sigma USB Dock.
The lens captures extremely sharp images thanks to the extremely innovative optical stabilizer system.
Features
- Mount – Canon EF
- Autofocus – Ring-type ultrasonic
- Full Frame compatibility – Yes
- Minimum Focus Distance – 1.2 meters
- Stabilizer – Yes
- Filter Thread – 82 mm
- Weight – 1,805 grams
- Dimensions – 94 mm x 203 mm (W x L)
4 – Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD
The Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD is ranked among the 5 best Canon telephoto lenses because of its advanced optical image stabilization system, coupled with the ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system, which combines to give enhanced speed and remarkably better performance.
This is a rare option in the range because these systems are not found in any other telephoto lens.
As most Canon DSLRs don’t have sensor-shift stabilization for still shots, the stabilization system in the Tamron SP makes it a must-have for professionals. This lens promises to deliver good quality and sharp images.
Features
- Mount – Canon EF
- Autofocus – Ring-type ultrasonic
- Full Frame compatibility – Yes
- Minimum Focus Distance – 1.5 meters
- Stabilizer – Yes
- Filter Thread – 62 mm
- Weight – 765 grams
- Dimensions – 82 mm x 143 mm (W x L)
5 – Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD
The Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD is one of the latest-launched lenses on our list of the 5 best Canon telephoto lenses.
It is noticeably lightweight but also provides twice the zooming power.
This lens is extremely useful for photographers who have switched from an APS-C body camera to a full-frame camera and want the extended reach of a 70-300mm telephoto lens with a 1.6x crop factor.
This lens is extremely durable and comes with a 4-stop dual-mode stabilizer and autofocus limiter switch, which can restrict the short or long end of the focus range.
Features
- Mount – Canon EF
- Autofocus – Ring-type ultrasonic
- Full Frame compatibility – Yes
- Minimum Focus Distance – 1.5 meters
- Stabilizer – Yes
- Filter Thread – 67 mm
- Weight – 1,135 grams
- Dimensions – 86 mm x 199 mm (W x L)
Hopefully, this list of the 5 best Canon telephoto lenses will help you select the best-suited zoom lens and ensure that your distant photographs are professional and excellent.
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