Best camera lenses June 2026
Finding the right telephoto zoom lens can be a challenge. This guide helps you compare the best options on the market right now, from lightweight travel zooms to professional super-telephoto lenses. Our independent ranking helps you weigh the features, performance, and key trade-offs to find the perfect lens for your needs.
Last updated: 23 June 2026
Camera Lenses: Top 5
1
Canon RF 100-400/5.6-8 IS USM
from £516.9912 stores
from £516.99
12 stores
2
Canon RF 100-500/4.5-7.1 L IS USM
from £1,982.998 stores
from £1,982.99
8 stores
3
Tamron AF 150-500/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD Sony E
from £715.004 stores
from £715.00
4 stores
4
Sigma 150-600/5.0-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary for Canon
from £899.001 store
from £899.00
1 store
5
Sony FE 100-400/4.5-5.6 GM OSS
from £1,340.009 stores
from £1,340.00
9 stores
This Canon telephoto zoom is remarkably lightweight and compact, making it an excellent choice for travel and handheld shooting. It offers a versatile 100-400mm range and fast autofocus for the RF mount. Its main compromise is a slower aperture, making it best suited for shooting in good light.
Pros
Extremely lightweight (635 g)
Compact for a 400mm zoom lens
Fast ultrasound autofocus engine
Built-in image stabilisation
Cons
Slower aperture (f/5.6-8)
No dust or moisture resistance
Tripod mount not included
This is a professional-grade super-telephoto zoom lens from Canon's esteemed L-series for the RF mount. It delivers outstanding image quality, a robust weather-sealed construction, and a powerful 500mm reach. It's a top choice for serious wildlife and sports photographers who demand high performance.
Pros
Professional L-series optical quality
Versatile 100-500mm zoom range
Dust and moisture resistant build
Effective image stabilisation
Cons
Heavy at 1530 g
Significantly larger than non-L zooms
This Tamron lens is a strong super-telephoto option for Sony E-mount cameras. It provides an extensive 500mm reach for distant subjects and features a fast linear motor for reliable autofocus. Its solid build and performance make it a great alternative to first-party lenses.
Pros
Long 150-500mm zoom range
Fast and quiet VXD autofocus motor
Includes effective image stabilisation (VC)
Comes with a tripod mount
Cons
Heavy at 1730 g
Starts at 150mm, less wide than others
Slower aperture than Sony GM lenses
The Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary is a very popular lens for photographers wanting maximum telephoto reach without a professional budget. It provides an impressive 600mm focal length for Canon EF-mount DSLRs. While it's the heaviest lens on this list, it delivers sharp images and good autofocus performance for the price.
Pros
Incredible 600mm maximum reach
Great value for its focal range
Customisable firmware and autofocus settings
Features optical stabilisation
Cons
Very heavy at 1930 g
Canon EF mount requires an adapter for mirrorless
Lacks dust and moisture resistance
Sony's FE 100-400mm G Master is a top-tier telephoto zoom renowned for its outstanding sharpness, fast autofocus, and robust build. Despite being a professional lens, it's relatively lightweight and portable, with effective weather sealing. It's a fantastic choice for Sony shooters who prioritize image quality and handling.
Pros
Exceptional G Master optical quality
Relatively light for its class (1395 g)
Fast and precise autofocus performance
Durable, dust and moisture resistant build
Cons
Less telephoto reach than some rivals
Premium G Master price point
Older model (released in 2017)
Compare specifications
| Prime/Zoom | Zoom lens | Zoom lens | Zoom lens | Zoom lens | Zoom lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of lens | Short telephoto, Long/Super telephoto | Super Zoom, Long/Super telephoto | Short telephoto, Super Zoom, Cine, Long/Super telephoto | Long/Super telephoto | Short telephoto, Super Zoom, Cine |
| Maximum aperture | f/5.6-8.0 | f/4.5-7.1 | f/5.0–6.7 | f/5.0-6.3 | f/4.5–5.6 |
| Image stabiliser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lens mount | Canon RF | Canon RF | Sony E/FE | Canon EF | Sony E/FE |
| Suitable for sensor size | Full-frame (35mm) | Full-frame (35mm) | Full-frame (35mm) | Full-frame (35mm) | Full-frame (35mm) |
How we built the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular with our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert reviews. Specifically, we take into account how many users follow a product through price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in stores. No products are paid placements — the ranking is governed solely by data.
