10 Best Canon Sports Lenses 2025 in the United States

The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is a solid choice for sports photography, offering a versatile focal length range of 100-500mm. This range is beneficial for capturing distant action shots with great detail. The lens's aperture range of F4.5-7.1 might be a limitation in low-light conditions but is generally adequate for well-lit sports environments. One of the standout features is its optical image stabilization, providing up to 5 stops of shake correction, which is particularly useful when shooting handheld or in dynamic scenarios.

The autofocus system is both fast and quiet, thanks to the dual Nano USM motors, ensuring you don't miss critical moments during fast-paced sports events. With three different image stabilization modes, you have the flexibility to choose the best setting for various shooting conditions, whether it's standard, panning, or during exposure only.

In terms of build quality, this lens is part of Canon's L-series, known for its durability and weather sealing, making it suitable for outdoor sports photography even in challenging weather conditions. However, at 3 pounds, it is relatively heavy, which might be a consideration if you need to carry it around for extended periods. The lens is compatible with Canon's EOS R series mirrorless cameras, ensuring seamless integration and performance. While the minimum focusing distance of 3 feet allows for some close-up shots, its strength lies in capturing distant subjects. This lens offers excellent performance for sports photographers who need a versatile telephoto zoom lens with reliable autofocus and image stabilization, though its weight and aperture range may pose some limitations.

The USED Canon 600mm F4 EF IS USM Lens is a strong contender for sports photography, offering a substantial 600mm focal length that allows you to capture distant action with impressive detail. Its f/4 maximum aperture is beneficial in low-light conditions, ensuring you can still get the shot even when lighting isn't perfect. The lens features fluorite and ultra-low dispersion glass, which enhance image quality by reducing chromatic aberration and improving sharpness. The built-in image stabilizer is a key feature that helps to minimize camera shake, making handheld shooting more feasible, which is particularly useful in dynamic sports environments.

Autofocus performance is enhanced by the Micro UltraSonic Motor (USM), providing quick and accurate focusing, which is crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects. Additionally, full-time manual focus gives photographers more control over their shots when needed. Build quality is robust, and the lens comes with weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture, a critical feature for outdoor sports photography.

However, its weight at 3 pounds and large dimensions might make it less portable and more challenging to carry around for extended periods. This lens is also quite dated, first available in 2004, so it may lack some of the modern advancements found in newer models. Nevertheless, the Canon 600mm F4 EF IS USM Lens remains a reliable choice for those serious about sports photography, particularly for capturing distant and fast-paced action.

The Canon EF 600mm f/4L III USM is a high-end super-telephoto prime lens designed especially for sports and wildlife photography. Its 600mm focal length is ideal for capturing distant action with great detail, making it a solid choice for sports shooters needing reach. The wide f/4 aperture allows good light intake, helping to keep shutter speeds fast and backgrounds nicely blurred, which is important for freezing motion and isolating subjects.

Autofocus on this lens is fast and accurate, which is crucial for tracking fast-moving athletes. The lens includes advanced coatings that reduce ghosting and flare, enhancing image clarity in challenging lighting conditions. It also offers dust and water resistance with fluorine coatings and heat shielding, enabling it to handle tough outdoor environments common in sports events.

This lens is quite heavy and large, which may limit portability and require a tripod or monopod for long shooting sessions. Most Canon L-series super-telephoto lenses typically incorporate image stabilization or rely on camera body stabilization, but users should consider the weight and handling when shooting handheld. The build quality is robust, fitting the professional standard expected from Canon's L-series. This lens is well suited for serious sports photographers who prioritize image quality, reach, and durability.