Wildlife photography is full of thrills and adventure. But it is pretty demanding in terms of focal length. At one point, you may want a telephoto lens with great zoom but at the next, you may require some close-ups. Choosing your dream lens can be confusing but worry not, we have done the hard work for you, here’s a list of best wildlife photography lenses 2024.
Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II Lens
If one lens could be dubbed as the Ultimate lens for wildlife photography, it would be this one. Granted that it is quite heavy and pricey, but if you can afford it, it is worth it. The 500mm not only creates a strong background blur but also produces extremely crisp images. Moreover, if you pair it with a teleconverter, you can increase its reach up to 600mm, making it the best for bird photography.
Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens
Just like the previous one, this 600mm by Sony is a bit scary on the price and weight point. However, it is still fairly lightweight for its category. If you look over these points, you will see one of the best lenses for wildlife photography. This lens is enough for most of your photography needs and the great part is that it also supports teleconverters. It means that you can increase the already long focal length. Also, it is weather-sealed, so you do not have to worry about the price tag if it catches some rain.
Nikon 500mm f/4E FL VR
Similar to the preceding lenses, this huge telephoto lens is also quite pricey. However, it is a fact in 2024 that you are only going to get the best if you shell out big bucks. However, unlike the previous lenses, it is very lightweight for its size. This portability with the added lightning-fast auto-focus makes it one of the best lenses for wildlife photography.
Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens
First of all, this USM Lens by Canon comes with a built-in 1.4x extender meaning that the range can be increased from 400mm to 560mm by the press of a button. Not only that, but it also has amazing auto-focus and is extremely portable. These features combined with the great images that it produces make it a truly versatile lens. Its multi-functionality has granted this lens the position among the best wildlife photography lenses in 2024. Not only is it capable of getting wide shots but also zooms in to get some crisp close-ups. Just like 200-400mm by Canon, this Nikon is also a multi-oriented beast of a lens. However, it is a beast in weight as well.
If you prefer a portable lens, this is not for you. Climbing over this barrier, you get a lens that gives you a crisp image at the entire focal range with the added versatility of zoom range. Moreover, as the name suggests, it features Vibration Reduction (VR) and we can vouch that it is as amazing as it sounds. It allows you to capture images at extremely slow shutter rates even while the camera is handheld.
Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Here is something for those photographers who are on a tight budget. But, it does not mean that it is a subpar lens. This Sigma lens provides the best value and, of course, great images. The aperture may not be very wide; however, you get a lighter and smaller lens in return. This adds to the overall portability of the lens and makes it travel-friendly. Also, the focal range of this lens is versatile enough to let you take great quality photos of the environment. These features make it one of the best general-purpose wildlife photography lenses in 2024.
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
This is one of the most popular lenses by Canon. Not only does it allow great image quality at all the focal lengths, but it is also very portable thanks to its f/5.6 aperture. The build quality is superb of this lens and guess what, it is also weather-sealed to provide maximum protection. Not only is it suitable for larger wildlife but huge birds as well.
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Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sport Lens
This amazing focal length range allows it this spot among the best lenses for wildlife photography. You can not only shoot zoomed-in wildlife but get some environmental portraits of those animals as well. Sigma has made sure that it does not compromise in image quality and as a bonus, it is also weather sealed.
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Conclusion - Best Wildlife Photography Lenses 2024
An important thing to understand at this point is that, although this list features only the best wildlife photography lenses in 2024, you still need some extra information to make a decision. First, keep in mind that lenses with a focal range of 500mm or 600mm are best suited for photographing birdlife. Whereas, those which lie between 100-400mm are better for larger wildlife. If you are a beginner, you should choose a versatile one, but the best combination is to pair a 600mm with a 100-400mm lens. Lastly, make sure that you get a weather-sealed lens so your investment remains protected.
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