The Best Canon Mirrorless Camera Telephoto Zoom Lens for 2023

What is the ultimate Canon telephoto zoom mirrorless lens?

1. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
2. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens
3. Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens
4. Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens
5. Adapt one of the Best Canon Telephoto DSLR Camera Lenses

 
Do you own a Canon DSLR camera? Our Best Canon DSLR Camera Telephoto Zoom Lens recommendations page has your answer.

About Canon Telephoto Zoom Lenses

For most photographers, a telephoto zoom lens is going to be the second-most important lens in their kit. The telephoto zoom is the lens that is going to be pulled out for portraits, events (including kid performances), sports, wildlife, landscapes, the beach, and many more photography subjects.

In general, approximately 70-200mm is the focal length range ideally covered by a telephoto zoom lens in an all-purpose kit. This range aligns nicely with the focal length range found in most general-purpose zoom lens. Don't worry about a small gap, such as 55-70mm or 70-100mm, between the focal length ranges. This is usually not usually a problem, and an overlap of the ranges is a positive attribute, potentially meaning fewer lens changes. Selecting the right lenses for each use should be a higher priority than the alignment of the focal length ranges.

You likely immediately noticed that not all of the recommended lenses cover the advised range. However, these lenses far exceed the long end suggestion, adding significant utility in that regard.

The following examples were captured with a full-frame camera.

The Best Canon General Purpose Telephoto Zoom Mirrorless Lens - My Recommendations

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1. Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

The Entire Package: Impressive image quality and Overall Performance, Wide Aperture, the Right Focal Lengths, Image Stabilization, Pro-Grade Build, Incredibly Compact

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is my go-to general-purpose telephoto zoom lens. This lens is the right choice for a very high percentage of general telephoto photography needs, with landscapes and portraits being ideally covered.

Few want to compromise image quality, and this L-series lens delivers greatness in that regard. Fast and accurate AF? That box is checked. Pro-grade, weather-sealed build quality? Ruggedness is built in. High-performing image stabilzation is there for you when the tripod is not, and the wide aperture enables stopping motion in low light.

 

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2. Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens

Excellent Image Quality, the Right Focal Lengths, Relatively Light Weight, Modest Cost, Moderately Wide Aperture, Image Stabilization, Pro-Grade Build, Incredibly Compact

Reduce the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens's aperture opening by 1/2, and you get the Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM Lens. Advantages of the narrower aperture include reduced size, reduced weight, and reduced cost. When f/2.8 is not needed, this lens is the best option.

 

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3. Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens

Ideal Focal Length Range for Landscape, Wildlife, and Sports Photography, High-Performing Lens with Pro-Grade Build and Image Quality, Image Stabilization

If I'm photographing wildlife or landscape, with few exceptions, the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens is either mounted or in my pack. This lens produces outstanding image quality at every setting. The combination of long focal lengths, long range of focal lengths, relatively compact design, fast and accurate AF, weather-sealed professional build quality, and image stabilization make this lens the perfect companion for many pursuits.

 

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4. Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens

Compact, Lightweight, Affordable, Great Focal Length Range

Canon's RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens is suited for even the lowest budgets. This is a consumer grade lens with a narrow aperture, but it is nicely built, is a joy to carry and use, and delivers very nice image quality.

 

5. Adapt a lens from the Best Canon Telephoto Zoom Lens List

Huge Selection, Excellent Options

 

Visit the Canon Lens Recommendations page for more lens selection advice.