10 Best Sony Zoom Lenses 2026 in the United States

The Sony FE 600mm F4 GM Super Telephoto Lens (SEL600F40GM) is an impressive piece of equipment, particularly for wildlife and sports photographers. Its key selling point is that it is the world's lightest 600mm super-telephoto lens, making it easier to handle during long shoots. The focal length of 600mm allows you to capture distant subjects with great clarity, while the wide F4 aperture ensures excellent performance in low-light conditions and provides a beautiful background blur (bokeh). The use of a large XA (extreme aspherical) element helps to reduce spherical aberration, contributing to high image quality.

Autofocus speed and accuracy are top-notch, thanks to the inclusion of two Extreme Dynamic (XD) Linear Motors. These motors ensure fast, precise, and quiet focusing, which is crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects. The lens is built with the G Master quality, offering superior focusing speed up to 20fps, which is particularly beneficial for high-speed shooting scenarios. Additionally, the balanced weight design addresses the common issue of front-heaviness seen in similar lenses, providing a more comfortable user experience.

On the downside, this lens is a prime lens, meaning it does not offer a zoom range, so you are fixed at 600mm. Also, given its specialized nature and high performance, it comes with a hefty price tag, which might be a significant investment for some users. In terms of build quality, the lens is robust and weather-sealed, ensuring durability in various shooting conditions. However, its size and weight, while light for its category, still make it less portable compared to smaller lenses. The lens is compatible with Sony FE and Sony E mountings, making it versatile for users of Sony's full-frame and APS-C mirrorless cameras. This lens is best suited for professional photographers who need top-tier performance in capturing distant subjects.

The Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Lens is a versatile zoom lens that aims to offer the quality of prime lenses with the convenience of a zoom. Its focal length range of 28-70mm makes it suitable for a variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes. The constant F2 aperture is a significant advantage, offering excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh). This is enhanced by its 11-blade circular aperture unit, which helps create smooth, appealing bokeh effects without any onion-ring patterns or color bleeding. Image sharpness and contrast are consistently high across the frame, thanks to advanced optical elements including three XA (extreme aspherical) elements. This makes it a strong contender for both still photography and videography, where image quality is crucial.

Autofocus speed and accuracy are impressive, driven by four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that ensure quick and reliable focus tracking—especially useful for fast-paced environments like weddings or sports events. The lens is also designed to work seamlessly with high-speed burst modes, such as the 120 fps capability of the Sony α9 III. Build quality is robust, with weather sealing to protect against dust and moisture, making it a reliable choice for outdoor shooting. However, the lens is relatively heavy at 918 grams, which might be a consideration for those who prioritize portability.

Despite its weight, it maintains a compact form factor, measuring 92.9 x 139.8 mm. Compatibility is limited to Sony FE mount cameras, which is worth noting for users of other camera systems. The Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Lens offers exceptional image quality, fast and accurate autofocus, and a versatile range of uses, though its weight and exclusive compatibility with Sony FE mounts might be potential drawbacks for some users.

The Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS is a high-performance telephoto zoom lens designed for full-frame Sony cameras. Its focal length range of 100-400mm makes it versatile for wildlife, sports, and action photography, offering significant reach. The aperture range of F4.5-5.6 is decent, though not the fastest, which may affect low-light performance slightly. However, the G Master design ensures exceptional sharpness and smooth bokeh, appealing to those who prioritize image quality.

The built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is a significant advantage, helping to minimize blur, especially at longer focal lengths. Autofocus is both fast and precise, thanks to the double-linear and Direct Drive SSM motors, making it suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects. Additionally, the minimum focus distance of 3.22 feet allows for some close-up flexibility. The lens is well-constructed with good build quality and offers weather sealing, providing durability in various shooting conditions.

At 3.08 pounds, it is relatively heavy and bulky, which may be a consideration for those who prioritize portability. Compatibility with Sony full-frame E-mount cameras is excellent, ensuring seamless integration with the camera body. While it might not be the best option for those needing a lighter, more compact lens, the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS is a solid choice for photographers needing a reliable, high-quality telephoto zoom lens with impressive features.