The Best Zoom Lenses of 2023

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is widely considered the best zoom lens among reviewers. It’s the gold standard for optical performance in its class and features a durable design that includes rubber gaskets at each seam, so it makes for a great outdoor companion. It’s not cheap, but a single lens is all you need thanks to how well this one performs in various situations.

While most zoom lenses are large and bulky, Sony’s lens is compact and lightweight, making it less burdensome to carry around. The small size of Sony’s lens is even more impressive when considering it offers a constant f/2.8 aperture, allowing you to take pictures in low-light situations and achieve a shallow depth of field.

The lens also offers two customizable focus hold buttons, a zoom tension toggle, and fast, accurate autofocus system. These features and size make the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II the perfect zoom lens for pros and enthusiasts alike.

The Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II deserves a place in your tool kit if you photograph portraits, wildlife, or sports. That’s because this lens makes it easy to reach subjects that are far away by narrowing the focus with its long zoom. And thanks to its fast f/2.8 aperture, which is constant throughout the entire zoom range, it performs well in low light and can produce beautiful bokeh.

Meanwhile, the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II offers lightning-fast autofocus and optical image stabilization so that images and videos will look sharp while using it handheld. While the lens is large, it’s one of the lightest long zooms in its class at 2.3 pounds, which is 29 percent lighter than the previous version. The lens also features excellent build quality and is weather sealed, so it can withstand the elements, making it a good fit for Sony’s professional range of mirrorless full-frame cameras.

If you work in tight spaces and need a wide-angle view, the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM should be in your bag. When zoomed out, the lens can capture every interior detail in homes or faces at a wedding reception. The ultra-wide angle view is also great for taking long exposure pictures of stars. You can also zoom in to 35mm, a standard focal length perfect for everyday use.

What’s particularly impressive about the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM is its fixed f/2.8 aperture. The wider aperture allows you to take pictures in poor lighting conditions and includes an optical stabilizer system for even steadier shots. The lens also features a durable build with weather protection, which is critical for keeping your lens healthy in inclement weather. The lens is a bit bulky and expensive, but it makes up for it with sharp images and a high-quality build.

If you need a longer focal length, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is our favorite long-range pick because it produces great image quality and is light enough to carry during walks or travel. It’s also one of the more affordable super zoom lenses, which is good news for budding sports and wildlife photographers. The lens also offers fast, quiet autofocus, so you don’t disturb any skittish critters, and a customizable control ring you can assign to functions like ISO, aperture, or exposure compensation.

While the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM is an excellent long-zoom lens, the slower aperture means you need a lot of light for images to look their best. It has a minimum focus distance of 88 centimeters, or 34.6 inches, and has the longest focal length on our list at 400 millimeters. (You can find zoom lenses with double that, but they’re rare and probably impractical for most photographers.)

There’s no weather sealing, so you’ll need to be cautious about exposing it to the elements. Otherwise, this zoom lens will let you bring the world closer in incredible detail.

The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S features a serious zoom range that’s perfect for everyday use. That’s because you get a wide view when zoomed out and a narrow one when zoomed in. This versatility makes Nikon’s lens an excellent choice for outdoor landscapes and wedding portraits. And it does all this in a compact size compared to more expensive lenses with less zoom.

Along with a long zoom range, the Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S also offers controls that make the lens easier to use, including a manual focus ring, a customizable function button, and a customizable control ring. These controls make it easy to tailor the lens to your workflow and help elevate the experience. With a considerable telephoto reach, compact form factor, and lower price, Nikon’s zoom lens is an excellent choice for photographers of all levels.