6 Best Nikon Telephoto Lenses in 2020
Telephoto lenses are an essential part of every photographer’s kit. They’re one of the most versatile lens types since using a telephoto works well for portraits, sports, wildlife, and even landscapes. They let you exclude boring parts of a scene and produce detailed pictures of subjects without getting close. Telephoto lenses create pleasing depth of field effects more easily than shorter models, and they use wide-open apertures to snap sharp, well-lit action shots.
You’re in luck if you own a Nikon camera because this article features the six best Nikon telephoto lenses from the company’s rich catalog. We’ve included models for several Nikon mount types as well as both zoom and prime options. See how they perform and get the lens that fits your budget and needs best.
Budget
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
4.4/5.0
Mount: Nikon DX
Image stabilization: Yes
VR lets you shoot in low light with good results.
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Best Value
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
4.7/5.0
Mount: Nikon F
Image stabilization: Yes
Good all-around sharpness and flare reduction.
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Top Pick
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
4.9/5.0
Mount: Nikon F
Image stabilization: Yes
Intuitive and useful physical controls.
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Nikon Telephoto Lenses Comparison Table
Image
Product
Overall
Rating
Image
quality
Build
quality
Versatility
Price
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
4.9
5.0
4.8
4.9
Check Price
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.6
Check Price
Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
4.7
4.8
4.6
4.6
Check Price
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED
4.6
4.7
4.5
4.6
Check Price
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR
4.4
4.5
4.3
4.5
Check Price
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.6
Check Price
1. Best Overall – Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
View on B&H
Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5
The AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is Nikon’s towering achievement in the realm of telephoto lenses. It’s as much a work of art as of complex and precise engineering. It balances perfectly on Nikon full-frame cameras, has several intuitive physical controls, and is as close to perfection as zoom lenses can get in terms of optical...
