Best Sony Telephoto Zoom Lens

There was a time when the stream called photography was less popular among people. But, in recent times, we hear of many schools/colleges providing a separate course for photography. Yes, today's young minds are so much amused to this photography field and want to pursue this career rather than professional jobs. This article is for my fellow photography enthusiasts and all other hobbyist photographers out there who are looking for a best Sony telephoto zoom lens.

Sony - best sony telephoto zoom lens

As you guys know, telephoto zoom lenses are very popular among both amateur and professional photographers. With a telephoto lens, you can capture photographs of a faraway subject. Similarly, a zoom lens allows a range of different focal lengths in a single lens. So, by using the best Sony telephoto zoom lens that provides features of both telephoto and zoom lenses, you can take your photography to the next level.

Sony, known for its quality products, has come up with a wide range of telephoto zoom lenses for cameras. You can pick one of the best Sony telephoto zoom lenses from this list for your camera to make your photographs look even more professional.

LIST OF BEST SONY TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

IMAGE

BRAND

DETAILS


Sony SEL50F18 - best sony telephoto zoom lens
  • Compatible mountings : Sony E
  • Maximum Aperture : F/1.8
  • Maximum Focal Length : 50 millimeters
  • Weight : 0.44lbs
Sony SEL85F18 - best sony telephoto zoom lens
  • Compatible Mountings : Sony E
  • Maximum Aperture : F/1.8 
  • Maximum Focal Length : 85 millimeters 
  • Weight : 0.65lbs
Sony SEL100F28GM - best sony telephoto zoom lens
  • Compatible Mountings : Sony E
  • Maximum Aperture : f/2.8
  • Maximum Focal Length : 100 Millimeters
  • Weight : 2.67lbs
Sony SEL135F18GM - best sony telephoto zoom lens
  • Compatible Mountings : Sony E
  • Maximum Aperture : 1.8 millimeters
  • Maximum Focal Length : 135 millimeters
  • Weight : 2.09lbs
Sony SEL70200 - best sony telephoto zoom lens
  • Compatible Mountings : Sony E
  • Maximum Aperture : f/4
  • Maximum Focal Length : 200 millimeters
  • Weight : 1.85lbs

10 BEST SONY TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

1.SONY - SEL50F18/B - BEST POTRAIT LENS

Sony SEL50F18 - best sony telephoto zoom lens

Are you in search of a high-performance Portrait lens? If so, I recommend this Sony E 50mm lens for you, which is ideal for portraiture.

The Sony E 50mm lens is a lightweight(7.13 ounces),mid-range telephoto zoom lens for Sony's NEX-series interchangeable lens cameras. What makes this ideal for portraiture is its effective focal length of 75 mm, supreme to capture any portraits.

This device's other outstanding features include a wide aperture that allows handheld portraits without flash in low-light conditions and an optical steady shot image stabilization feature that captures smooth and professional-looking images even at full zoom.

Speaking about this lens's look, it is stylish, compact(2.4*2.4*2.4 inches), with a high-quality aluminum alloy finish on the barrel and is available in two colors, such as silver/black.

Coming to the main part, which is image quality, this lens's image quality is perfect, and the factor that amazed me the most is that its lens barrel doesn't move while zooming, enabling faster autofocus response and reduced minimum focusing distances.

If you're a professional portrait photographer, you'll know how important it is to make facial features appear proportional. To satisfy this need, this lens is equipped with an F1.8 maximum aperture to create smooth background defocus effects (bokeh), ideal for flattering your portrait subject.

But as far as I noticed, this high-performance lens lacks an all-weather design, i.e., it attracts scratches easily. So, make sure you handle it properly.

Overall, I affirm that the SEL50F18/B is the best Sony telephoto zoom lens for portrait photographers with respect to the above-enlisted features. 

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Has a minimum focus distance of 0.39 m (1.28 ft)
  • Maximum magnification : 0.16x
  • Lens type: Telephoto
  • 7-blade circular aperture to achieve beautiful defocus effects
  • Aperture range(F) : f/1.8 - 22
  • Optical steady shot image stabilization
  • Filter diameter: 49 mm

Pros

  • The picture quality is excellent
  • Wide aperture (f/1.8 - 22)
  • Affordable
  • Compact (2.4 inches) 
  • Minimal distortion
  • Glossy black finish

Cons

  • As this is a portrait lens, it wouldn't be great for landscape photography

2. SONY SEL85F18 - BEST AFFORDABLE TELEPHOTO LENS

SONY SEL85F18 - best sony telephoto zoom lens

Though top companies previously launched lenses of 85mm focal length, many users were not interested in purchasing them due to their high cost. On the contrary, when Sony launched its SEL85F18 model, it was warmly welcomed by customers as this was affordable and had the same features compared to those lenses.

This is the main reason to include this lens in the best telephoto zoom lens for cameras catalog. With that being said, take a peep into its amazing features.

Firstly, this lens looks elegant and is also sturdy as it is made of high-quality plastic. It is also equipped with a focus hold button on its barrel to hold the focusing position or set in-camera to control other functions.

As far as the lens's image quality is concerned, the Sony 85mm lens delivers high-resolution images with impressive results. The lens does support a 2.6-foot (0.8-meter) minimum focus distance which is a sufficient working distance for portraits.

Other convincing features of this product are a double linear motor system to achieve fast and precise focusing, an AF/MF switch that allows auto/manual focusing, and an Extra-Low Dispersion glass element to correct optical color defects.

Moreover, this lens also has the same F1.8 maximum aperture and a 9-Blade circular aperture mechanism to enable beautiful defocusing effects. Green-light for this best Sony telephoto zoom lens!

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Lens Type: Telephoto
  • Has Minimum Focal length of 35mm
  • Has Maximum focal length of 85mm
  • Dust and moisture resistant design
  • Maximum Magnification: 0.13x
  • Aperture range : f/1.8 - 22
  • Has a focus hold button

Pros

  • Minimal distortion and vignette
  • Quality build as high quality plastic is used
  • High corner-to-corner resolution
  • Reliable in Changing conditions
  • Images are crisp
  • Bright f/1.8 aperture

Cons

  • Does not have Optical Image Stabilization

3. SONY SEL100F28GM - BEST G MASTER LENS

SONY SEL100F28GM - best sony telephoto zoom lens

This is one of the best Sony telephoto zoom lens that impressed me after much research about telephoto zoom lenses, but is quite expensive. The reason behind this lens's huge cost is the G master lens.

Let me explain what a G master lens is all about. These are Sony's high-end lenses designed for its full-frame cameras. They provide extraordinary sharpness and smooth bokeh.

This mid-telephoto lens is equipped with a Direct Drive Super Sonic Motor (DDSSM) to ensure fast and quiet auto-focus performance. When this lens is used with α series cameras, the 5-axis image stabilization becomes available.

STF (Smooth Trans Focus) technology that uses an apodization element (optical filtering technique) is also present in the lens to eliminate distortion of defocused highlights, thereby elevating the portraits and subjects.

The key point to be noticed about this product is the lens's shape, which is aspherical. Such lens design is employed to reduce spherical aberration and reduce the lens's size and weight.

Some features that are pretty much the same as the above lenses are an 11-blade circular aperture and an F2.8 maximum aperture for perfect defocusing, Optical Steadyshot image stabilization for sharp/blur-free images.

If you're ready to invest in a high-end lens, I highly encourage you to get your hands on this Sony SEL100F28GM lens.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Auto/Manual Focus switches are present
  • Maximum Magnification : 0.25x
  • Optical Steady Shot stabilization
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 20 | T5.6 to 22
  • Extra-Low Dispersion glass element present
  • Has Minimum Focal length of 0.85mm
  • Has Maximum Focal Length of 100mm

Pros

  • Ensures good sharpness
  • Smooth bokeh because of the 11 circular blades
  • Sophisticated optical design.
  • Dust and moisture resistant
  • The Nano AR coating reduces lens flare
  • Fast autofocus

Cons

  • Very Expensive

4. SONY SEL135F18GM - BEST TELEPHOTO PRIME LENS

SEL135F18GM - Best sony telephoto zoom lens

If you choose to own any of the G Master lenses, this would be the one. As I was getting to know about this product, I saw many people giving positive remarks about it. I was wondering like what's so amazing about this lens? But looking into its remarkable features, I was dumbstruck. That's why I wanted to share my viewpoints about the Sony FE135mm lens with you.

Prized for its ability to isolate focus, this lens is a medium telephoto prime lens characterized by its polished design. Unlike the above lenses, the Sony 135mm lens features a Super ED element, two ED elements, and an extreme aspherical element to reduce chromatic and spherical aberrations, improving image clarity.

As this lens is a part of Sony's G-series, you can be sure of getting high-resolution pictures. The addition of XD Linear Motor system offers an excellent response, while the Focus range limiter switch aids your professional shooting needs. The front lens's surface is coated with fluorine to resist fingerprints, dust, or any contaminants.

Lastly, to automatically/manually adjust the camera's focus, an AF/MF switch is provided. High recommended best Sony telephoto zoom lens. 

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Has 11-blade circular aperture for smooth defocusing
  • Nano AR coating to reduce lens flare
  • Maximum magnification : 0.25x
  • The minimum focus distance of 0.7m (2.3 ft)
  • An OLED display on receiver.
  • In-built image stabilization
  • Aperture range:f/1.8 -22
  • Filter diameter : 82mm

Pros

  • Customizable focus hold buttons provide easy access
  • Autofocus is super fast
  • Best for portraiture
  • highest resolution and contrast
  • Image quality is supreme

Cons

  • Frequent lens cleaning is needed as it might suck dust

5. SONY SEL70200G - BEST LANDSCAPE TELEPHOTO LENS

SEL70200G - best sony telephoto zoom lens

The Sony FE 70-200MM is a Premium G Master Series telephoto zoom lens that is flexible, versatile, and perfect for photo enthusiasts.

Like the 135mm lens, this G lens also consists of a combination of 2 Super ED's, 4 ED's and three double-sided aspherical elements for reduced chromatic aberrations. With importance to natural color reproduction, this lens is given a T* lens coating that eliminates undesirable effects of stray light.

Optical stabilization, Nano AR coating, focus-hold buttons, and focus limiter functions are commonly seen in Sony's G lenses to add to this lens's practicality.

You will find a focus range limiter function on the lens barrel that allows you to set a limit on the lens focusing range, and a focus hold button keeps the lens locked to the focusing distance. In addition to these features, the Sony FE 70-200 mm includes a floating focus mechanism that minimizes distortion and aberration.

Advanced double-linear and ring SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) actuators provide the precision and power required for both still and video AF. A removable rotating tripod mount is provided that allows the camera to be quickly removed from the tripod while shooting.

Also, a revolving mechanism is present to allow quick changeover between landscape and portrait orientation. This is why the Sony FE 70-200MM tops 5th in the list of " best Sony telephoto zoom lens".

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • The minimum focusing distance is 0.96m
  • Maximum Magnification : 0.13x
  • Has a focal length range of 70 - 200 mm
  • Aperture range (f) : 0 - 2.8
  • Filter diameter: 77 mm
  • Focus limiter switch

Pros

  • Electronic focus range limiter achieves faster autofocus
  • Reduced chromatic aberration
  • Comfortable for handheld shooting
  • Excellent image stabilization
  • Easy to handle
  • Low distortion

Cons

  • The lens hood is a little fragile

6. SONY E F4.5-6.3 LENS FOR SONY E-MOUNT CAMERAS

SEL55210

Want to capture nature's beauty or take pictures of a soccer game from the sidelines? the Sony E 55-210 mm will help you do it. Offering a 1 m(3.28 ft) minimum focus range, this telephoto zoom lens is also handy and can be your perfect travel companion.

Gyro sensors that are built into the lens detect even the slightest movement, and a built-in optical image stabilization feature reduces blur when shooting at a long range or in low light.

Most lenses are equipped with standard polygon-shaped lens aperture, but the Sony E 55-210 mm lens features a 7-blade circular aperture for perfect rounded defocusing.

This lens is comparatively fast and ensures agile focusing as this lens barrel doesn't move while stirring a faster autofocus response.

As focal lengths lengthen, lenses built with regular optical glass result in images that suffer from low contrast, low color quality, and low resolution. This lens overcomes this aberration issue by using ED glass and Super ED glass, thus providing enhanced chromatic aberration compensation. Buy this best Sony telephoto zoom lens for its fast autofocus and built-in optimization. 

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Maximum magnification : 0.225x
  • Two aspherical elements for excellent optical performance
  • Aperture range: f/4.5 - 32
  • Open circuit sensitivity: -54 dB
  • Filter diameter: 49 mm
  • Built-in image stabilization

Pros

  • Stylish and lightweight
  • Very fast autofocus
  • good optical quality
  • excellent mechanical quality

Cons

  • Omits weather sealing.
  • Slow aperture

7. SONY SAL70300G SSM ED G-SERIES SUPER TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

SAL70300G

The Sony 70-300mm lens is a Very high-quality telephoto zoom lens with a wide focal length range. This G series lens is compact and is ideal for sports and portrait photography.

Like the Sony FE 70-200 mm, this lens has a focus mode switch and a focus hold button to offer better focus control whenever you need it.

This lens's features remain more or less similar to other Sony telephoto zoom lenses, with only a change in the number of blades and Extra-Low Dispersion elements. In this case, the lens has nine circular blades and 1 ED element to reduce chromatic aberration and provide beautiful defocus.

To reduce noise while in Auto-focus mode, a built-in SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) is provided.
Although this lens has characteristics of typical low-end lenses, the 'G' designation reveals that this lens is a cut above.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Minimum focus distance: 1.2 m
  • Built-in image stabilization
  • Maximum magnification : 0.25 x
  • Compatible Camera Mount: Minolta Alpha
  • 16 elements in 11 groups
  • Aperture range: f/4.5 - 29

Pros

  • Ensures Minimal distortion and chromatic aberration
  • Fast and accurate AF performance
  • Portable(760gm) and strongly built
  • Great sharpness

Cons

  • Does not have in-built optical image stabilization
  • Not dust and weather resistant

8. SONY SEL70350G E-MOUNT TELEPHOTO ZOOM G LENS

SEL70350G

The Sony SEL70350G is a super-telephoto G lens, meaning you can capture subjects from very far distances. This lens has a wide focus range of 70 to 350mm; it is the best for wildlife, portrait and sports photographers.

Adding to it, this lens is designed to provide a 5x magnification/zoom range equating to 105-525mm on a full-frame body. To provide High resolution, One aspherical element and three ED glasses are provided. The XD Linear Motor offers excellent response and quiet autofocus.

Though a compact lens, it has a relatively modest aperture range of f/4.5-6.3, and its maximum effective focal length of 525mm is truly remarkable.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Has focus-hold button
  • Zoom lock switch 
  • Seven circular aperture blades for round defocusing
  • Minimum focus distance: 1.1m-1.5m
  • Optical Steady Shot stabilization

Pros

  • The effective focal length of 525m is supreme
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Dust and moisture resistant
  • Very good image quality

Cons

  • On the expensive side
  • Designed for APS-C only
  • Fairly 'slow' aperture

9. SONY 70-400MM SUPER TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

SAL-70400G2

This SONY SAL-70400G2 is the best Sony telephoto zoom lens for wildlife photographers as it provides one of the sharpest superzooms. This upgraded version of the G series super-telephoto lens provides better and fast performance when compared to its predecessor. 

Apart from having 2 ED elements, this lens is also coated with Nano AR coating to reduce unwanted reflections/lens flare. Not only that, the Nano-coating ensures High-performance autofocus with enhanced object-tracking.

With this upgraded lens in your camera, you can now capture HD videos of fast-moving objects. Three focus hold buttons surrounding the lens barrel make it easy for handheld photography. 

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • Nine blade circular aperture for smooth bokeh
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • Maximum Magnification : 0.27x
  • Has a Minimum Focus Distance of4.93 ft (1.5 m)

Pros

  • Provides fantastic clarity
  • Ensures smooth auto-focus
  • Dust and moisture resistant
  • Nano AR coating
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Little heavy, so you might need a tripod stand

10. SONY SEL200600G FE 200-600MM SUPER TELEPHOTO ZOOM LENS

SEL200600G

Don't underestimate the performance of this Sony SEL200600G as it is placed in the tenth position. By understanding the lens features you will get to know why this lens takes a place in the " best Sony telephoto zoom lens".

This Sony FE 200-600 mm is one such lens that was under great demand by the users that it almost remained out of stock for quite a long time.

The lens's focal length of 200-600mm almost covers the range needed for sports/wildlife photography. Incorporated with one aspherical element and 5 ED glasses, this lens provides the entire zoom range. Like the previous lens, this too has Nano AR coating to reduce lens flare. To achieve precise, fast and quiet focusing Sony's direct-drive SSM motor is provided.

Lastly, for stable handheld operation, an internal zoom mechanism is provided. 

PRODUCT DETAILS:

  • 11 Rounded aperture blades for smooth bokeh
  • Optical Image Stabilization 
  • Aperture range: f/6.3 - 36
  • Maximum Magnification :0.66x
  • Internal focusing

Pros

  • Dust and moisture resistant
  • Customizable focus hold buttons provide easy operation
  • Compact and sturdy design
  • Three programmable focus lock buttons

Cons

  • No Zoom Lock
  • At times, you may notice color fringing in videos

CONCLUSION

This brings you to the end of "best Sony telephoto zoom lenses." Sony Telephoto zoom lenses, known for their high-level performance, are a must-have for your photography career. The next time you want to take a challenging shot, you can be confident with the Sony's telephoto zoom lens in your hand. I hope after reading this article, you will be able to make the right choice in purchasing a telephoto zoom lens. Have a great day.

Evangeline
 

Evangeline is one of our expert authors based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. she is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops and teaches many aspects of photography; hence she started to produce educational content about photography and frequently writes content for Filmosphere.

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