Best telephoto zoom lenses for Sony A: Top Picks

Our catalogue lists 65 telephoto zoom lenses for Sony A. Zooms starting at 50mm or longer and reaching 200mm or more, for sports, wildlife and portraits.

How these were picked. Lenses are ranked using only data in our catalogue: those with editorial notes first, then those with a photo and a buying link, newer release years where known, and faster maximum apertures as a tie-breaker. This is a data-based shortlist, not a hands-on test ranking.

1.Sony 70-200mm F2.8 G SSM II

70-200mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

Sony's second 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM for A-mount, with a dust and moisture resistant build and a ring-type SSM motor. It weighs about 1,300 g and takes 77mm filters.

Specs Compare with AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan)
2.Minolta AF 70-210mm f/4 (Beercan)

70-210mm · f/4.0 · Sony A

A constant f/4 telephoto zoom nicknamed the Beercan for its shape. It weighs about 695 g and takes 55mm filters.

Specs Compare with 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II
3.Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM II

70-300mm · f/4.5 · Sony A

A 70-300mm G telephoto zoom for A-mount with SSM autofocus and a dust and moisture resistant build. It weighs about 750 g and takes 62mm filters.

Specs Compare with 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II
4.Sony 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM II

70-400mm · f/4.0 · Sony A

A long-range zoom for A-mount, covering 70-400mm with SSM focusing. It weighs about 1,500 g and takes 77mm filters.

Specs Compare with DT 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM (SAL55300)
5.Sony DT 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM (SAL55300)

55-300mm · f/4.5 · Sony A

An APS-C telephoto zoom for A-mount, covering 55-300mm with a SAM focus motor. It weighs about 460 g and takes 62mm filters.

Specs Compare with 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM
6.Sony 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM

70-300mm · f/4.5 · Sony A

This 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom lens from Sony fits Sony A mount cameras, from the Sony G series. The range suits sports, wildlife, events and portraits.

Specs Buy on Amazon Compare with AF Apo 80-200mm f/2.8 G
7.Minolta AF Apo 80-200mm f/2.8 G

80-200mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

A classic f/2.8 G telephoto zoom from the Minolta era, well regarded as a portrait and sports lens. It weighs about 1,280 g and takes 72mm filters.

Specs Compare with SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2
8.Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2

150-600mm · f/5.0 · Sony A

The second-generation Tamron 150-600mm. In Sony A-mount it is sold without VC, since the camera body provides stabilization. It has a 95mm filter thread and focuses as close as 2.7 m.

Specs Compare with 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
9.Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6

75-300mm · f/4.5 · Sony A

A 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom lens, the Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 is designed for Sony A mount bodies. The range suits sports, wildlife, events and portraits.

Specs Compare with SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD
10.Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD

70-200mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

The Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD is a full-frame fast telephoto zoom lens covering 70-200mm at f/2.8 for Sony A mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series with Vibration Compensation. A telephoto zoom with a const...

Specs Compare with SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO
11.Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO

70-200mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

The Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO is a full-frame fast telephoto zoom lens covering 70-200mm at f/2.8 for Sony A mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. The range suits sports, wildlife, events and po...

Specs Compare with SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD
12.Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD

70-200mm · f/2.8 · Sony A

Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD: a full-frame fast telephoto zoom lens with a 70-200mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, made for Sony A mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series with Vibration Compen...

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