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10 Best Camera Lenses for Sports

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No 1 Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon AF ratings

$122 - $223

Released over 2 years ago

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10 People Recommend
for Sports
"Back-Up, Sports/Action, surf comp, Wildlife…" more

- Adorama.com User

"Primary purpose of the camera is to photograph my daughter playing…" more

- Amazon.com User

"I took it to a soccer game hoping to get a…" more

- Amazon.com User

"On occasion the AF can be too slow for high action…" more

- Amazon.com User


No 2 Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Lens
Olympus 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 ED Lens ratings

$929 - $1,000

Released over 2 years ago

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5 People Recommend
for Sports
"i'd personally used one at a high school football game.…" more

- Wolfcamera.com User

"I've used it at several Minor League baseball games and a…" more

- Adorama.com User

"Understand, the advantage this lens gives you is a larger max…" more

- Amazon.com User

"So far, I've used it in gyms for basketball and I'm…" more

- Amazon.com User


No 3 Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens
Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens with hood for Canon DSLR Cameras ratings

$135 - $190

Released over 2 years ago

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5 People Recommend
for Sports
"I shoot a lot of outdoor sports and the 70-…" more

- Bhphotovideo.com User

"Not good for action shots, the Auto focus is too slow.…" more

- Adorama.com User

"I don't take many fast action shots, so I cannot speak…" more

- Amazon.com User

"A the time of this review I have shot 5 rolls…" more

- Amazon.com User


No 4 Canon EF 70-200mm 1:4L USM Lens
Canon EF 70-200mm 1:4L USM Lens ratings

$1,070 - $1,300

Released 1 year ago

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5 People Recommend
for Sports
"But, I started to shoot night HS football and it was…" more

- Amazon.com User

"I've used it for a daytime football game and it performed…" more

- Amazon.com User

"I've bought this lens to shoot concerts and soccer outdoors, among…" more

- Amazon.com User

"The F4, which is too slow for most indoor sports, is…" more

- Buydig.com User


No 5 Tamron Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 Autofocus Lens
Tamron Zoom Telephoto 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF (AF017P-700) ratings

$139 - $160

Released over 2 years ago

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3 People Recommend
for Sports
"Then used it for working an U14 soccer game.…" more

- Amazon.com User

"Having used this lens for a weekend covering some portraits and…" more

- Amazon.com User

"It is definitely not a walk-around camera, but is wonderful for…" more

- Buydig.com User


No 6 Tamron AF 18-250 f/3.5-6.3
Tamron AF 18-250 f/3.5-6.3 for Canon ratings

$409 - $500

Released 1 year ago

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3 People Recommend
for Sports
"Do not expect to shoot your kid's indoor hockey game with…" more

- Amazon.com User

"I wanted a good general purpose lens for vacations and sports…" more

- Amazon.com User

"At 250mm in low light aiming on polished surface my Canon…" more

- Amazon.com User


No 7 Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Lens
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom Lens ratings

$1,175 - $1,530

Released over 2 years ago

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3 People Recommend
for Sports
"(And the workout too!) Pros:…" more

- Adorama.com User

"Lately I've been using it to take pictures of my nephews…" more

- Amazon.com User

"You start to wonder if it even responded because you didn't…" more

- Amazon.com User


No 8 Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di-II LD
Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di-II LD for Canon DSLR ratings

$179 - $282

Released over 2 years ago

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2 People Recommend
for Sports
"I use the lens for taking action pictures of my kids…" more

- "Mark B" at Bhphotovideo.com

"For example, a digital camera uses what amounts to a big…" more

- Amazon.com User


No 9 Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG SLD Telephoto Zoom Lens
Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG SLD Telephoto Zoom Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Camer ratings

$132 - $149

Released 1 year ago

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2 People Recommend
for Sports
"Need a monopod or tripod for longer use(like a baseball game).…" more

- Adorama.com User


No 10 Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DI
Quantaray AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DI for Canon EF ratings

$150

Released 1 year ago

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2 People Recommend
for Sports
"Enjoy taking Macro flower pictures while on vacation,Also great for action…" more

- Wolfcamera.com User

"I take pictures of my daughter at her soccer game with…" more

- Amazon.com User


Related Lists

Some other Camera Lenses we thought you might like.

Get Advice, Give a Tip

wanderlux
Wide-angle zoom lenses work great for capturing short shots.
matthewbam
For night games, look for lenses that have larger diameters for gathering more light.
charmcitygirl
A lense is only half the equation -- make sure your camera can handle action shots for sports.
katie
Look for lenses that have quick-release mechanisms for switching quickly during games.

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Best Camera Lenses for

Camera Lenses for Sports Buying Guide


In search of the perfect action shot? Capturing a hurdler in mid stride, a baseball bat striking a ball flying at 90 mph, or a great soccer pass takes precise camera work and a great lens.


There are a number of good camera lenses that are appropriate for taking sports action shots. Depending on your preference, you can get an autofocus lens that will focus automatically, or a manual focus which you have to adjust yourself. Some of the higher end lenses are capable of both automatic and manual focusing. Focal length for lenses ranges from 24 mm to about 400 mm. A 400 mm focal length will allow you to take focused shots, such as a picture of an individual player, while a 24 mm focal length is well suited to taking wider shots like pictures of the whole team or playing field.


Most lenses have a focal range of about 70 mm to 300 mm to allow you to take both close detail shots and cinematic crowd shots. Camera lenses more suited to wider shots will have a range of around 24 mm to 105 mm, and lenses that are better for focusing close up generally have a focal range of about 105 mm to 400 mm.


Camera lenses can be heavy, but if you are trying to capture clear action shots on the fly, you need something that you can carry easily from midfield to the end zone. Look for affordable, lightweight lenses with a wide focal range and a good overall focus.

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