Find the best wildlife and sports lens in 2026

With a bright f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus motor, this 55mm prime lens excels at isolating subjects with smooth bokeh, even in low light. Its compact 201g build and optical design with extra-low dispersion elements effectively suppress chromatic aberration and flaring. This lens is best for street photographers and videographers who need a lightweight, fast-focusing portrait lens for Nikon Z mount cameras.

Its fast f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus provide excellent low-light performance and quiet, accurate focusing for portraits and video. The lens is notably compact and lightweight at just 134g, making it a highly portable addition to any camera bag. This lens is best for Fujifilm shooters who need an affordable, fast prime for street photography, vlogging, or indoor event work.

Its f/1.4 maximum aperture and robust HSM autofocus system deliver exceptional low-light performance and sharpness for a wide-angle prime. The lens's 15-element optical design effectively controls distortion and chromatic aberration, making it highly reliable for critical work. This lens is best for portrait and documentary photographers who require a fast, wide-angle optic with consistent rendering and precise focus.

This lens offers a compact f/2.8 wide-angle zoom with optical image stabilization, making it a lightweight choice for full-frame Canon RF cameras. Its leadscrew-type STM motor provides quiet and smooth autofocus, which is a significant asset for videographers. This lens is best for content creators and vloggers who need a stabilized, fast-aperture zoom for handheld shooting in tight spaces.

Its constant f/2 aperture across the 24-70mm zoom range provides exceptional low-light performance and shallow depth of field control. The lens offers professional-grade optics and autofocus at a notably high value score, making it a compelling alternative to first-party options. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers who prioritize low-light versatility and a fast zoom over extreme macro capabilities.

With a constant f/2.8 aperture across its 16-80mm zoom range, it offers consistent light-gathering ability for both wide and telephoto shots. The inclusion of optical stabilization makes it a reliable choice for handheld shooting, particularly in variable lighting conditions. This lens is best for videographers and documentary shooters who need a versatile, all-in-one zoom with dependable performance.

This lens stands out with its constant f/2.8 aperture and built-in 4-stop image stabilization, making it a versatile tool for low-light shooting. Its ring-type ultrasonic AF motor provides fast, quiet autofocus, which is a significant advantage for event and wedding photographers. This lens is best for photographers needing a reliable, stabilized telephoto zoom for portraits and sports, especially those on a budget compared to first-party options.

This lens stands out with its constant f/2.8 aperture and a 20% lighter, more compact design than its predecessor, making it a fast wide-angle zoom. Its four XD linear motors enable exceptionally fast and quiet autofocus, ideal for both photography and video capture. It is best for professional landscape and architecture photographers who require a sharp, portable wide-angle zoom.

Its f/2.8 maximum aperture and 3.5-stop optical image stabilization enable sharp, low-light performance for a fast telephoto zoom. The lens incorporates three aspherical elements for high optical quality and is relatively compact for its class. This lens is best for professional photographers and videographers who need a versatile, high-performance telephoto for event, portrait, or documentary work.

Its f/2.8 maximum aperture and advanced fluorite elements deliver exceptional sharpness and light-gathering for a 400mm prime lens. The lens is also remarkably lightweight for its class at 2.8kg, aided by magnesium alloy and titanium construction. This lens is best for professional sports and wildlife photographers who require fast autofocus and superb image quality in a relatively portable super-telephoto.