These are the very best 100-400mm lenses for a complete selection of different DSLR and mirrorless cameras – just utilize the navigation hyperlinks to move the camera brand name you use.
100-400mm lenses certainly are a good alternative for wildlife, motorsport, airshows and much more, where they bridge the gap between daily 70-300mm telephotos, which are generally a bit consumer-orientated (and a bit brief inside focal length), and huge, heavy super-telephotos.
The latest news may be the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS for L-mount and Sony E-mount digital cameras. This full-frame lens is a useful alternative for Sony owners and a welcome boost to the Panasonic, Sigma and Leica L-mount camera ranges. We will bring a full review just as soon as we can get a sample for testing.
We’re also looking forward to the epic-sounding Olympus 150-400mm f/4.5 super-telephoto, which is now expected to arrive in winter 2020.
Most camera manufacturers offer their own 100-400mm lenses or near-equivalents. Not everyone sticks strictly to the 100-400mm range, though. For example, it’s 80-400mm for Nikon and 150-450mm for Pentax, whereas Sony markets a 100-400mm lens for its E-mount cameras but a 70-400mm zoom for A-mount bodies.
In all cases, there’s nothing to stop you using any of the lenses featured in our guide on crop-sensor cameras, where you’ll get even greater telephoto reach. Indeed, the Fujifilm and Panasonic lenses are designed exclusively for APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras, with crop aspects of 1.5x and 2x respectively.
Best 100-400mm Lenses in 2021
1. Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens
Features
- Full Frame Lens with APS-C compatibility
- Compact size meets strong image quality
- Ideal Use: Travel photography, wildlife photography, nature photography and bird photography
- 4 Year USA Warranty
- Filter Size: 67mm
2. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens
10 used from $1,699.00
Free shipping
as of March 7, 2021 5:01 pm
Features
- Compact, high performance L-series super-telephoto zoom makes it ideal for sports and wildlife photography
- Rotation-type zoom ring allows for more precise composition and excellent balance when handholding
- Improved zoom torque adjustment ring allows easy setting of zoom tension, Focal Length & Maximum Aperture:100-400mm 1:4.5-5.6, Closest Focusing Distance-3.2 ft. / 0.98m
- New Air Sphere Coating (ASC) helps to significantly reduce backlit flaring and ghosting, Highly resistant to dust and water, and amazing durability enabling shooting even in harsh conditions
3. Tamron 100-400mm F/4.5-6.3 VC USD Telephoto Zoom Lens
4 used from $642.52
Free shipping
as of March 7, 2021 5:01 pm
Features
- Lightest weight in its class and featuring widest maximum aperture
- Superb image quality in an ultra-telephoto zoom lens
- Exclusive eBAND Coating reduces flare and ghosting
- 4-stop VC image stabilization for confident telephoto shooting
- Moisture-Resistant construction and fluorine coating for enhanced weather protection
4. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm f.4.5-5.6G ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens
18 used from $1,089.98
Free shipping
as of March 7, 2021 5:01 pm
Features
- FX format compatible. Mount Type Nikon F Bayonet
- Focuses as close as 5.7 feet during AF operation
- Vibration Reduction
- Approx. 95.5 millimeter maximum diameter x 203 millimeter (distance from camera lens mount flange)
- Approximate weight: 3.5 pounds (1570 grams)including tripod collar based on CIPA guidelines. Approximate weight: 1480 grams (3.3 pounds) without tripod collar
5. Fujinon XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
5 used from $1,699.00
Free shipping
as of March 7, 2021 5:01 pm
Features
- Focal length : XF100-400mm (152-609mm - 35mm Format Equivalent)
- 21 elements 14 groups (includes 5 extra low dispersion elements and 1 super extra low dispersion element)
- Focus range : 1.75m, Max.magnification : 0.19x (Telephoto)
- 5 -Stop Image Stabilization System.Filter Thread :Front: 77 mm.Angle of view:16.2°- 4.1°
- Water and dust resistant and can operate in temperatures as low as 14 DegreeF (-10 DegreeC), Removable tripod mount
6. Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. Power O.I.S. Lens
Features
- Micro Four Thirds System
- 200-800mm (35mm Equivalent)
- Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
- 1 Aspherical ED
- 1 UED and 2 ED Elements
7. Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f4.5-5.6ED DC AW Super-Telephoto Lens
$1,996.95 in stock
2 used from $2,009.97
Free shipping
as of March 7, 2021 5:01 pm
Features
- IN CAMERA SHAKE REDUCTION (SR): The PENTAX digital SLR K series cameras are equipped with the SR mechanism built into the camera body. Because shake reduction is applied in the camera body, this means that any lens compatible with the K Series cameras will benefit from image stabilization
- SUPER TELEPHOTO ZOOM: This zoom lens covers a super telephoto range from 150mm to 450mm. It is designed to be compact and light enough to hold during long range shooting of such subjects as wildlife, aircraft and sports
- OUTSTANDING IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Thanks to its state of the art optics featuring three ED (Extra low Dispersion) glass elements and one superlow dispersion glass element, this zoom lens effectively minimizes spherical and chromatic aberrations, while producing crisp, high quality images free of colour bleeding
- ALL WEATHER (AW): This lens features a dependable dustproof, weather resistant structure with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water and dust into the lens interior
- HD COATING TO ENHANCE IMAGING POWER: Produce high contrast images with edge to edge sharpness and free of flare and ghost images
8. Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS
7 used from $2,145.00
Free shipping
as of March 7, 2021 5:01 pm
Features
- G Master design combines extraordinary sharpness and smooth bokeh
- 35 mm full-frame.Double-linear and Direct Drive SSM for fast, quiet, precise focus
- Optical SteadyShot image stabilization significantly reduces blur
- Versatile min focus distance of 322’ / 035x max mag. Angle of View (APS-C):16 °-4 °10'2
- 9-blade circular aperture contributes to gorgeous bokeh.Maximum Magnification ratio (x):0.35
9. Sony SAL70400G2 A Mount - Full Frame 70–400mm F4–5.6 G SSM Zoom Lens
Features
- 70-400mm F4-5.6 G telephoto lens for A-mount cameras. Nano AR coated and quick, quiet AF that locks on to moving subjects
- Super telephoto zoom Sony G lens
- A-mount, 35mm Full Frame
- Super Sonic wave Motor