Best Camera Lens for Animal Photography

As a fan of wildlife photography, I have done a lot of research to find the best camera lens for animal photography. The right lens can make a big difference in capturing the perfect shot of wild animals.

If you are new to photography, you can check out my blog on a beginner’s guide to buying a camera lens.

After careful consideration, I have compiled a list of the best camera lenses for animal photography. However, it’s important to note that there is no single best wildlife photography lens, as wildlife is such a vast category.

List of best camera lens for animal photography[quick review]

Let’s take a moment for a quick review of the best camera lens for animal photography for capturing wildlife.

1. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
2. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II
3. Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR
4. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 ED G OSS
5. Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6R LM OIS WR
6. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
7. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
8. Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED VR
9. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
10. Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

List of best camera lens for animal photography [detailed analysis]

1. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM

• The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens has a maximum aperture of f/5 at 150 mm and f/6.3 at 600mm.
• There is no specific information available on the noise level of the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens.
• The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens delivers sharp results across the entire full-frame image circle, starting at 150mm with a wide-open aperture.

Reasons to buy:

• Versatile focal length range.
• Fast maximum aperture.
• Optical image stabilization.
• Sharp image quality.
• Affordable price.

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavy and bulky.
• Chromatic aberration can be noticeable.
• Focus calibration issues.

2. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

• Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II is a telephoto zoom lens featuring 100mm wide-angle and 400mm telephoto focal lengths.

• The lens typically has a 77mm filter thread size, which is the diameter of the front of the lens where you can attach filters such as UV, polarizers, and ND filters.

• The lens has a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at 100mm and f/5.6 at 400mm, and noise levels depend on the camera’s ISO settings

Reasons to buy:

• Image stabilization.
• Magnification of 1:3
• Extremely sharp across the zoom range.

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavy
• Price

3. Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR

The Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR lens maintains a constant aperture of f/5.6 throughout the zoom range, providing consistent low-light performance and depth of field control.

The Nikon AF-S FX 200-500mm f/5.6 ED VR lens delivers excellent optical performance throughout its focal range

Chromatic Aberration Chromatic Aberration: Minimized with ED glass

Reasons to buy:

• Versatile zoom range.
• Image stabilization.
• Durable and weather-sealed construction.

Reasons to avoid:

• The lens is only compatible with Nikon F mount.
• Heavy and bulky.

4. Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 ED G OSS

The Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 ED G OSS lens has a variable aperture, ranging from f/5.6 to f/6.3, which affects its low-light performance and depth of field control.

It includes a focus hold button on the lens barrel that can be customized for various functions, such as locking focus or activating other settings.

The lens has a Direct Drive SSM for quiet, highly precise focus lens control

Reasons to buy:

• Smooth bokeh with 11 diaphragm blades.
• Customizable focus hold button.
• Dust and moisture resistance.

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavy and bulky
• Variable aperture (f/5.6-6.3).

 

5. Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6R LM OIS WR

Features a variable aperture of f/4.5 to f/5.6.

Known for excellent image quality with sharpness, minimal distortion, and great contrast.

Provides fast and accurate autofocus, making it suitable for capturing moving wildlife.

Reasons to buy:

• Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
• Weather-resistant construction.
• Versatile zoom range

Reasons to avoid:

• It may not be as sharp at certain focal lengths and apertures.
• Heavy and bulky.

 

6. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD

This lens offers a variable aperture from f/5 to f/6.3.

Good, with sharpness that is consistent throughout the zoom range.

Features image stabilization to help reduce camera shake and accurate autofocus performance.

Reasons to buy:

• Image stabilization (VC).
• Compatible with multiple camera mounts.
• Affordable price.

Reasons to avoid:

• The build quality may not be as good as other lenses.
• Considerable weight and size.

 

7. Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

It features a variable aperture ranging from f/4.5 to f/7.1.

Provides good image quality, with sharpness that is consistent throughout the zoom range.

Offers quick and accurate autofocus, particularly suited for RF camera users.

Reasons to buy:

• Versatile telephoto zoom range.
• Optical Image Stabilization (IS).

Reasons to avoid:

• Less sharp as other super-telephoto lenses, especially at certain focal lengths and apertures.

8. Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED VR Features a variable aperture from f/4.5 to f/6.3.

Offers good image quality for DX-format cameras, with sharpness varying with focal length.

Provides quick and quiet autofocus suitable for wildlife.

Reasons to buy:

• Affordable telephoto zoom.
• Image stabilization (VR).
• Designed for Nikon DX format.
• Compact and lightweight.

Reasons to avoid:

• It may have limitations in low-light conditions.
• It might not be as durable as other telephoto lenses.

 

9. Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Features a variable aperture of f/4 to f/5.6.

Offers good image quality with optical stabilization for sharp shots.

Provides quick and accurate autofocus for everyday wildlife photography.

Reasons to buy:

• Affordable
• Lightweight and compact
• Optical image stabilization
• Decent image quality for the price.

Reasons to avoid:

• Noticeable chromatic aberration.
• It may not be as durable as others.

10. Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS

The Olympus ED 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS lens features a variable aperture ranging from f/5 to f/6.3.

Offers good image quality for Micro Four Thirds format cameras.

Provides quick and accurate autofocus in a smaller format.

Reasons to buy:

• Versatile telephoto zoom range.
•  Image stabilization (IS).
• Designed for Micro Four Thirds mount.
• Compact and lightweight.

Reasons to avoid:

• The lens may not be as sharp as other telephoto lenses.

 

What to Look for in a Best Camera Lens for Animal Photography

Focal Length

When looking for a camera lens for animal photography, it is important to consider the focal length.

Using a telephoto lens with a long focal length of at least 300mm is recommended, but super-telephoto lenses with focal lengths of 400mm, 500mm, and 600mm are popular as they allow close-ups and detailed shots of distant wildlife without disturbing them.

A longer focal length allows you to capture more detail from a distance, while a wider aperture will allow you to shoot in low light conditions.

Aperture

When selecting the best camera lens for animal photography, pay close attention to aperture. A wide maximum aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4) lets in more light, facilitating faster shutter speeds and better performance in low-light conditions.

It also creates beautiful background blur (bokeh) that isolates the subject and enhances the visual impact of animal portraits.

Autofocus Speed & Noise

In the best camera lens for animal photography, consider autofocus speed and noise. Fast and silent autofocus ensures you can capture animals in motion without disturbing them. Quiet focusing reduces the risk of startling wildlife, helping you achieve natural and candid shots while maintaining a respectful distance.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization is vital in the best camera lens for animal photography. It helps compensate for camera shake, allowing you to capture sharp images, especially at longer focal lengths or lower shutter speeds. This feature is crucial when shooting handheld in challenging conditions, enhancing the quality of your wildlife photos.

Weather-Sealed

When considering weather sealing in a camera lens for animal photography, look for gaskets and seals around the lens mount and controls. These weather-resistant features protect the lens from dust and moisture, ensuring durability in adverse conditions. This is essential for outdoor wildlife photography, where weather can be unpredictable.

Best camera lens for animal photography FAQs

What camera is best for animal photography?

The ‘Best Cheap Camera For Wildlife Photography’ is the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80. The Canon EOS R6 Mark II has been included as the “Best Camera For Low Light Wildlife Photography” as of April 5, 2023.

What is the best focal length for animal photography?

A lens length of 200–400mm will suit the majority of wildlife photographers. Additionally, it could be a zoom lens or a lens with a fixed focal length. Zoom lenses are a common choice because of their versatility in changing focal length, however, their cost is often higher.

How much zoom do you need for wildlife photography?

Wildlife photographers often use long lens since it’s difficult to get up close to most wild subjects: at least 300mm for an APS-C DSLR, or 400mm for a full-frame DSLR or 35mm SLR. A 70-200mm zoom lens might be useful if you can approach bigger animals quite closely.

Are full-frame cameras better for wildlife photography?

Although full-frame cameras are usually more costly, they have perks, including higher ISO settings and improved picture quality (which is fantastic for wildlife photography in low light).

Conclusion

After thorough research into the best camera lens for animal photography, it’s evident that the choice largely depends on individual preferences, camera systems, and budget constraints.

Consider your specific needs and camera system when selecting the ideal lens for capturing stunning wildlife moments.