18 Best Zoom Lenses in 2024

Zoom lenses are essential for photographers who need versatility without changing their lens frequently. They offer a range of focal lengths, making them perfect for capturing everything from wide landscapes to detailed portraits. Our guide to the 18 best zoom lenses covers top picks for various needs and budgets, ensuring you find the right lens for your photography style.

Our top choices include the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM for its exceptional image quality and versatility, and the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR for its wide-angle capabilities. With 16 other lenses divided between Canon and Nikon in part one, and Sony, Fujinon, and Sigma options in part two, there’s a zoom lens for every photographer.

What Is the Best Zoom Lens for Canon and Nikon?

Selecting the best zoom lens involves considering versatility, image quality, and build. Our list features Canon and Nikon lenses, chosen for their exceptional performance across various photography styles. Factors like aperture, focal range, and image stabilization were key in their ranking, ensuring each lens is very useful for professional photography.

Our Favorite Zoom Lenses for Canon and Nikon

Let’s take a closer look at our favorite zoom lenses. From wide angles capturing vast landscapes to telephoto lenses zooming in on distant subjects, there’s a lens here for every scenario. Explore these options to find the perfect addition to your camera bag.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens is a top choice for professional photographers who need flexibility without sacrificing image quality. Its 24-70mm focal length is perfect for capturing everything from wide landscapes to detailed portraits. The constant f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur, making it a versatile tool in any photographer’s bag.

This is such a versatile lens, that many pros swear by it, and use it as their daily standard lens. It’s good for weddings, street photography, portraits—in fact for most types of photography.

The lens’s build quality is another highlight, with weather sealing that protects it in tough conditions. Its optical design, featuring Ultra-low Dispersion and Super Ultra-low Dispersion elements, effectively reduces chromatic aberrations. This results in clear, high-contrast images across the entire zoom range. There is much to recommend the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM and it is a very useful choice for those prioritizing image quality and versatility.

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM shines in its ability to capture wide scenes. Its wide-angle range is perfect for landscapes and architecture. I love the 16-35mm range, and the fast aperture makes this a go-to for photographers who need to grab vast expanses or detailed building shots. That fast f/2.8 aperture helps a lot in low light, letting users take sharp photos with less blur from hand movement.

However, this lens doesn’t have image stabilization. This means you might need to use a tripod in darker places to keep your shots sharp. It’s quick to focus, which is great for snapping quick moments at events or in fast-moving settings. This is an L-Series lens, built for the rough-and-tumble of daily professional use. Optical quality is superb, reducing aberrations and errors well, and making your images beautifully clear.

The Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is a solid choice for pros who need a reliable wide-angle lens. It’s especially good for capturing big, open spaces and detailed structures. Even without image stabilization, its quality and speed make it very useful for a wide range of photography styles.

The Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM lens is a great tool for photographers who enjoy wildlife and sports photography. Its 100-400mm zoom range lets you capture distant subjects clearly. This lens is especially useful outdoors where its reach can make a big difference. However, its f/5.6-8 aperture might not be the best for low-light situations.

This lens is light for its type, weighing 1.4 lbs (635 g), which makes it easy to carry around. It doesn’t have the weather sealing found in more expensive lenses, so it’s best used in good weather conditions. The optical image stabilization is a big plus, helping to keep shots steady and sharp at long focal lengths.

For the money, the Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM offers good value. It delivers sharp images and has quick autofocus. While it may not be the top choice for low light, its portability and stabilization make it very useful for daytime outdoor photography.

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is a standout for its versatility, covering a range that’s perfect for a variety of photography styles. From wide landscapes at 24mm to more intimate portraits at 70mm, it adapts quickly to changing scenes. This makes it ideal for events where capturing both the atmosphere and detailed expressions is key. Its constant f/2.8 aperture ensures excellent performance in low light and creates beautiful bokeh, highlighting subjects against softly blurred backgrounds.

Built to last, this lens combines high-quality materials with Canon’s renowned L series standards, ensuring it can handle the demands of professional use. It’s weather-sealed too, offering peace of mind when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions. The inclusion of image stabilization is a significant advantage, allowing for sharper images in challenging light without the need for a tripod.

The Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a very useful tool for photographers who need flexibility without compromising on image quality. It’s even better than its older ER cousin, and its sharpness, fast autofocus, and robust build make it a reliable choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers alike. Whether it’s capturing fast-paced action or serene landscapes, this lens delivers consistently high-quality results.

The Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM lens is a game-changer for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike. Its 70-200mm zoom range is perfect for capturing stunning portraits and fast-paced sports action. The constant F/2.8 aperture ensures excellent low-light performance and beautiful bokeh, making subjects stand out against a blurred background. This lens is a workhorse, offering flexibility without sacrificing image quality.

Built to last, it combines rugged durability with a lightweight design, making it easy to carry all day. The image stabilization is a big improvement, allowing for up to 5 stops of shake correction. This is especially helpful in low light or when capturing video. Quick and silent autofocus means you never miss a moment, whether shooting wildlife or a wedding ceremony.

The Canon RF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS USM is very useful for a wide range of photography styles, and is equally at home at the soccer match as the wedding. Its sharpness, fast autofocus, and robust build make it a reliable choice for capturing high-quality images. Whether you’re shooting a portrait session or tracking fast-moving subjects, this lens delivers consistently impressive results.

The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens is a powerhouse for capturing vast landscapes and architectural marvels. Its ultra-wide angle range makes it a go-to for professionals who need to encompass grand scenes in a single frame. The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures that the lens performs well in low light, providing flexibility across various shooting conditions. This lens is particularly popular among landscape photographers and those shooting in tight indoor spaces where capturing as much of the scene as possible is crucial.

Despite its wide angle, the lens maintains impressive sharpness across the frame, a testament to Nikon’s optical engineering. The inclusion of ED glass minimizes chromatic aberrations, ensuring that images are not only wide but also clear and vibrant. The view of the world through a 14mm lens is quite spectacular, and the 24mm end of the zoom range is also a much-loved focal length with photographers.

The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED stands out for its ability to deliver high-quality, wide-angle shots. Its robust build and weather sealing make it a reliable choice for shooting in challenging conditions. While it lacks image stabilization, its wide aperture and superior optical design ensure that it remains a very useful tool in a photographer’s bag, especially for those focused on capturing the grandeur of landscapes and architectural details.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR is a versatile zoom lens that stands out for its constant f/2.8 aperture and robust build. It’s designed for photographers who need to quickly adapt to changing scenes without swapping lenses. This lens is particularly useful for capturing everything from wide landscapes at 24mm to detailed portraits at 70mm. Its wide aperture is great for low light and creating smooth bokeh, making it a popular choice for event and portrait photography.

With its Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, the lens significantly reduces camera shake, allowing for sharper images in dim settings or when shooting handheld. This feature, combined with quick autofocus, ensures crisp, clear shots even in fast-paced environments. The lens’s optical design, which includes ED glass and aspherical elements, minimizes aberrations and enhances image clarity across the zoom range.

The Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR is very useful for professionals and serious enthusiasts looking for a high-quality, flexible lens. Its performance in various lighting conditions, combined with effective stabilization and fast autofocus, makes it a reliable tool for a wide range of photographic styles. Whether shooting a wedding, a landscape, or a bustling street scene, this lens delivers consistently impressive results.

The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens is a versatile tool for photographers who need to capture subjects from a distance, such as wildlife and sports enthusiasts. Its broad zoom range allows for quick framing adjustments, making it easier to track moving subjects without changing your position. The inclusion of Vibration Reduction (VR) technology is a significant advantage, enabling sharper images at slower shutter speeds, which is especially useful in low-light conditions or when capturing fast-moving action.

Optically, this lens impresses with its sharpness and minimal chromatic aberration, thanks to the use of ED and Super ED glass elements. The autofocus is quick and reliable, ensuring that subjects are captured with clarity and precision. While the variable aperture might not be ideal for all lighting conditions, the lens’s performance in well-lit environments and its ability to produce pleasing bokeh make it a valuable addition to a photographer’s bag.

The Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S stands out as a good option for those who prioritize flexibility and image quality. Its build quality, combined with effective image stabilization and autofocus, makes it a reliable choice for capturing detailed shots from afar. Whether you’re photographing wildlife in their natural habitat or athletes in motion, this lens delivers consistently high-quality results.

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens is a standout choice for photographers seeking versatility and high performance in a single package. Its wide-to-short telephoto zoom range is perfect for capturing everything from expansive landscapes to detailed portraits. The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures excellent low-light capabilities and beautiful bokeh, making it a favorite for event and portrait photography. This lens is particularly useful for professionals who need to quickly adapt to changing scenes without swapping lenses.

Built to Nikon’s high standards, the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S combines superior optics with robust construction, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of daily use. Its optical design, featuring aspherical and ED elements, minimizes aberrations and maximizes sharpness across the frame. The autofocus is both fast and silent, crucial for capturing fleeting moments in clarity.

The Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is very useful for a wide range of photographic applications. Its blend of versatility, image quality, and durability makes it a valuable tool for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike. It doesn’t matter if you’re shooting a fast-paced wedding or a serene landscape, this lens delivers consistently impressive results.

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens is a top-tier choice for photographers who demand versatility and exceptional image quality. Its 70-200mm zoom range is perfect for capturing everything from intimate portraits to fast-paced sports action, making it a versatile tool in a professional’s camera bag. The constant f/2.8 aperture ensures excellent performance in low light and the ability to achieve beautiful bokeh, highlighting subjects against a softly blurred background.

This is a well-built lens and it combines advanced optics with robust construction, ensuring it can withstand the demands of professional use. Its optical design, featuring extra-low dispersion elements, minimizes aberrations and maximizes sharpness across the frame. The autofocus is both fast and silent, crucial for capturing fleeting moments in clarity.

The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is very useful for a wide range of photographic applications. Its blend of versatility, image quality, and durability makes it a valuable tool for professionals and serious enthusiasts alike. You will find it is equally at home shooting a fast-paced wedding or a serene landscape, delivering consistently impressive results.

What is the Best Zoom Lens from Fujifilm, Sony, & Sigma?

Three other big hitters in the lens world are Sony, Fujifilm, and Sigma. In this section, we’re going to look at some of their zoom lenses. But bear in mind, that Sigma makes lenses for a number of different mounts, so these apply to Nikon and Canon users too. All these lenses stand out for their ability to capture sharp, clear images across a variety of settings, from wide landscapes to distant wildlife, making them indispensable tools for photographers aiming to elevate their work.

Our Favorite Zoom Lens from Fujifilm, Sony, & Sigma

Let’s take a closer look at our favorite zoom lenses from these three brands. From wide-angle marvels perfect for capturing vast landscapes to telephoto giants that bring distant subjects into clear view, there’s a lens here for every scenario. Whether you’re shooting fast-paced sports, serene nature scenes, or detailed architectural designs, these lenses provide the versatility and quality required for professional photography. Explore our curated selection to find the lens that not only fits your camera but also enhances your photographic skills.

The Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens is a standout for landscape and architectural photography, thanks to its wide focal range. This range allows photographers to capture expansive scenes without needing to step back. Its constant f/2.8 aperture is good for low light, offering consistent exposure across the zoom range. However, this lens lacks image stabilization, which could be a drawback for handheld shooting in dim conditions.

Optically, the lens impresses with minimal distortion and excellent sharpness, even at its widest aperture. It uses low-dispersion elements to improve image clarity and reduce chromatic aberrations. Yet, at the extreme corners, sharpness can drop slightly, a common trait in wide-angle lenses. The lens’s build quality is also noteworthy, being both durable and weather-sealed, making it reliable for outdoor use.

Autofocus is quick and accurate, ensuring sharp images in dynamic settings. The lens’s minimum focusing distance adds versatility, allowing for close-up shots with a dramatic perspective. However, for photographers prioritizing portability, its weight of 1.77 lbs (805 g) might be a consideration. Despite this, its performance and construction make it a good option for those needing a wide-angle zoom lens.

The Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR lens covers a broad range, from wide scenes to close-up shots. This makes it a practical choice for those who prefer not to switch lenses often. Its constant f/4 aperture helps keep exposure steady through the zoom range. However, it’s not the best in very low light. This lens is built tough, and ready for outdoor shoots. It is extraordinarily light for such a big zoom range, weighing only just over 1 lb (460 g).

Optically, this lens is designed to give clear and sharp images. It uses special elements to cut down on distortion and color fringing. While it’s sharp across most of the frame, the edges might be a bit softer at the widest settings. Autofocus is quick, making it easy to capture clear shots in fast-moving situations.

It doesn’t have built-in stabilization, so it’s best used with cameras that stabilize the image themselves. This lens is a good fit for photographers and videographers looking for versatility without the bulk of multiple lenses. Its power zoom feature is especially useful for smooth video shots, making it a solid all-in-one lens choice.

The Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens brings distant subjects up close, perfect for wildlife and sports photography. Its long reach, equivalent to 229-914mm on a 35mm camera, makes it easy to capture far-off action. The lens’s aperture range, f/5.6-8, is suitable for bright conditions but may require higher ISOs in low light. Built-in image stabilization helps keep shots sharp, compensating for camera shake during handheld shooting.

Constructed to endure outdoor conditions, this lens is both durable and weather-sealed. It weighs 3.54 lbs (1.6 kg), manageable for its size and power. The optical design includes elements that reduce distortion and chromatic aberrations, ensuring clear images across its zoom range. Autofocus is quick and quiet, essential for not startling wildlife.

This lens is a solid choice for photographers who need to shoot from a distance without sacrificing image quality. Its performance in well-lit conditions, combined with effective stabilization, makes it a reliable tool for capturing dynamic scenes in nature or sports. The zoom range is most impressive, and it delivers well.

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens is a game-changer for those who shoot landscapes, architecture, and even street photography. Its wide to standard zoom range is perfect for capturing everything from vast landscapes to detailed street scenes. The constant f/4 aperture, while not the widest, strikes a good balance between size and performance, allowing for decent low-light shooting and some background blur.

Weighing just about 0.78 lb (353 g), this lens is impressively light and compact, making it an ideal travel companion. It’s built to last, with weather sealing that protects it in tough conditions. The power zoom feature is a standout, offering smooth zooming that’s especially useful for video work.

Sharpness is top-notch across the zoom range, ensuring your images are crisp from edge to edge. Autofocus is quick and reliable, capturing moments as they happen without fuss. While it lacks built-in stabilization, pairing it with a camera that has IBIS solves this minor setback. This is a solid choice for anyone looking to capture wide-angle shots without compromising on quality or versatility.

The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G lens stands out for its unique focal range, blending wide-angle and short telephoto perspectives. This makes it incredibly versatile, and perfect for photographers who find themselves constantly on the move. Its constant f/4 aperture, while not the fastest, offers a good compromise between size and performance, allowing for relatively smooth background blur and decent low-light capabilities.

Weighing just over a pound (454 g), this lens is both light and compact, making it an excellent travel companion. It’s built to last, with weather sealing that ensures it can handle a variety of outdoor conditions. The optical performance is impressive, with sharp images across the zoom range and minimal chromatic aberration, thanks to its advanced glass elements.

Autofocus is quick and reliable, capturing moments with precision. While the lens lacks built-in stabilization, pairing it with a camera that has in-body IS compensates for this, ensuring sharp images even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G is a great option for those seeking a versatile, high-quality lens for everyday shooting.

The Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS lens is a standout choice for those needing a long reach without the bulk. Its zoom range is perfect for wildlife and sports photography, allowing you to capture distant subjects with clarity. Despite its variable aperture, the lens benefits from Sony’s Optical SteadyShot, making it easier to shoot in varied lighting conditions.

Weighing just over 1.3 lbs (625 g), it’s surprisingly light for its capabilities. The build quality is solid, offering weather sealing for those unexpected weather changes. Optically, it impresses with sharp images across the zoom range and minimal chromatic aberration, thanks to its specialized glass elements.

Autofocus is both quick and quiet, ensuring you never miss a shot. While it may not be the first pick for low-light photography, its performance in well-lit scenarios is exceptional. The Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS is a valuable tool for photographers looking to bring distant scenes closer without compromising on image quality.

The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | C for Sony E is a versatile zoom lens that shines in landscape and architectural photography. Its wide aperture of f/2.8 across the zoom range is a big advantage, allowing for low-light shooting and creating a shallow depth of field. This lens is particularly useful for photographers who need to quickly adapt to changing scenes without swapping lenses.

Weighing around 1 lb (450 g), it’s relatively light for its class, making it an excellent choice for travel photography. The build quality is solid, offering some weather resistance for shooting in less-than-ideal conditions. Optically, it delivers sharp images with minimal distortion, and the autofocus is both quick and silent, ensuring you never miss a moment.

While it lacks image stabilization, the wide angles are generally more forgiving of camera shake. The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | C is available in a number of lens mounts, and is a valuable addition to any photographer’s bag, offering flexibility and high-quality performance in a compact package.

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | A for Canon EF is a versatile zoom lens that excels in a variety of shooting conditions. Its constant f/2.8 aperture is ideal for low-light situations and for achieving a shallow depth of field, making it a favorite among portrait and event photographers. The inclusion of Optical Stabilization (OS) is a significant advantage, allowing for sharper images in dim settings or when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.

Constructed with Sigma’s Art line quality, this lens combines robust build and exceptional optical performance. It’s slightly heavier than some might expect, but this is a small tradeoff for its image quality and versatility. The autofocus is quick and reliable, ensuring that you capture those fleeting moments with precision.

Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, or anything in between, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 offers the flexibility and quality that professionals demand. Its sharpness, even at wide apertures, and effective image stabilization make it a valuable asset for any photographer’s bag. You’ll find it available for other mounts as well.

Conclusion: The Best Zoom Lenses

Zoom lenses offer photographers the flexibility to capture a wide range of subjects without changing lenses. They are very useful for both professional and hobbyist photographers. The article reviewed 18 of the best zoom lenses, highlighting their key features, strengths, and areas where they could be improved.

The top two choices, the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM for its versatility and image quality, and the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR for its wide-angle capabilities, stand out for specific reasons. There are 16 other lenses to explore, divided into two sections: Canon and Nikon lenses, and Sony, Fujinon, and Sigma lenses. Each offers unique benefits to photographers, depending on their specific needs and camera systems.