10 Best Canon Telephoto Lens 2025 in the United States

The Canon RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM telephoto zoom lens is designed for professional photographers and videographers who require high performance and versatility. One of its standout features is the constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, which allows for excellent control over depth of field and superior low-light performance. This makes it ideal for sports, wildlife, and event photography where lighting conditions can vary significantly.

The lens incorporates advanced optical elements, including one fluorite lens and four UD elements, which work together to produce sharp, high-quality images with minimal aberrations and distortions. The Super Spectra Coating (SSC) further enhances image quality by reducing ghosting and flare. The built-in optical image stabilization provides up to 5.5 stops of shake correction, which can be extended to 6.0 stops when used with compatible EOS R series cameras, ensuring steady shots even in challenging conditions. The autofocus system is fast and reliable, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects.

Build quality is robust, featuring weather sealing that protects against dust and moisture, allowing for use in various environments. However, this lens is quite heavy, weighing 5.7 pounds, which may be cumbersome for handheld shooting over extended periods. Additionally, its large size may not be convenient for all users. Despite these drawbacks, the lens offers exceptional performance and is an excellent choice for professionals who need a high-quality, versatile telephoto zoom lens for their Canon mirrorless cameras.

The Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens is a top-tier telephoto lens that excels in several key areas. Its impressive 400mm focal length and fast f/2.8 aperture make it ideal for capturing distant subjects with excellent clarity and beautiful background blur. The lens features image stabilization, which significantly reduces camera shake, ensuring sharp images even in handheld shooting situations. Autofocus speed and accuracy are commendable, thanks to the USM motor, making it highly suitable for fast-moving subjects like wildlife and sports photography.

The build quality is robust, with weather sealing to protect against dust and water, allowing for reliable use in harsh conditions. Additionally, super spectra and air sphere coatings minimize ghosting and flare, maintaining high image quality in various lighting environments. The lens is relatively lighter than its predecessors, improving portability during extended shooting sessions. However, it does remain quite heavy and bulky compared to smaller lenses, which might be a drawback for some users.

Compatibility is excellent with Canon EF mount cameras, ensuring seamless integration into existing setups. This lens is best suited for professional photographers or serious enthusiasts who require top-notch performance and durability in a telephoto lens.

The Canon RF600mm F4 L IS USM is a high-end super-telephoto lens designed exclusively for EOS R-series cameras. It features a long 600mm focal length, making it suitable for wildlife and sports photography where capturing distant subjects is crucial. One of its standout features is the wide f/4 maximum aperture, which allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh). The lens also offers advanced optical image stabilization with up to 5.5 stops of shake correction, helping to ensure sharp images even when shooting handheld or in less-than-ideal conditions.

Additionally, the lens is equipped with Canon's Super Spectra Coating (SSC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) to reduce ghosting and flare, enhancing image quality further. The autofocus system is fast and accurate, which is essential for tracking moving subjects effectively. Build quality is robust, and the lens is weather-sealed, making it suitable for use in challenging environments. However, the lens is quite heavy at 16.38 pounds and has a large size (6.6 x 6.6 x 18.6 inches), which may make it less portable and difficult to handle for extended periods.

It is also on the expensive side, reflecting its professional-grade capabilities. Compatibility is limited to Canon RF mount cameras, but it works well with Canon RF 1.4x and 2x extenders, offering additional versatility. This lens is ideal for professional photographers who need top-tier performance in telephoto photography, especially for capturing distant subjects with great detail and clarity.