Best Lenses under €500 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 R

52.8 Wildlife/Sports Score
40-150mmf/22Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

The 40-150mm f/4-5.6 offers an 80-300mm equivalent reach in a 190g body, with a Movie & Still Compatible AF system for swift, silent focusing. Its Micro Four Thirds design and budget pricing make it a remarkably portable telephoto option for travel and everyday use. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers on Micro Four Thirds cameras who want a lightweight zoom without spending heavily.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Laowa 17mm f/1.8 17mm

45.8 Wildlife/Sports Score
17mmf/1.8Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 172g with a bright f/1.8 aperture and weather sealing, this manual-focus lens delivers sharp, high-contrast images with minimal distortion across the Micro Four Thirds frame. Its 15cm minimum focus distance enables 0.2x magnification close-ups with smooth bokeh from the 7-blade diaphragm, adding macro-like versatility to a compact wide-angle. This lens is best for street and travel photographers who prioritize a lightweight, all-metal build and precise manual control over autofocus convenience.

View Details & Prices

7Artisans 122.8ZBII 12mm

40.8 Wildlife/Sports Score
12mmf/2.8Olympus/Panasonic MTF 4/3 MountIS
Why we recommend this

With a 100-degree field of view and f/2.8 aperture, this 12mm manual focus prime uses a 12-element optical design, focusing as close as 5.9 inches for dramatic wide-angle close-ups. Its all-metal barrel and smooth focus ring provide precise control at an affordable price, though the 608g weight limits travel portability. The lens is ideal for budget-minded Nikon Z APS-C shooters wanting to experiment with ultra-wide landscapes and close-up photography without autofocus.

View Details & Prices

Rokinon Cine DS100M-MFT 100mm

35.8 Wildlife/Sports Score
100mmf/32Micro Four Thirds
Why we recommend this

Offering 1:1 macro magnification with a 100mm focal length and T3.1 aperture, this lens captures detailed close-ups with smooth, de-clicked aperture control and a 9-blade diaphragm for circular bokeh. The Cine DS version adds unified focus and aperture gear positions, color-matched barrels, and dual-sided distance scales for quick lens swaps on set. It’s best for Micro Four Thirds video shooters needing a dedicated macro cine lens for product shots, nature details, and dramatic close-ups with follow-focus rigs.

View Details & Prices

No Lenses under €900 yet. See our top picks under €1,500

Best Lenses under €1,500 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED V315070BU000 100-400mm

71.4 Wildlife/Sports Score
100-400mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering a 200-800mm full-frame equivalent reach in a 1120g package, this lens stands out with its 0.57x maximum magnification for true tele-macro capability at a 1.3m working distance. Its dustproof, splashproof construction and built-in image stabilization ensure reliable handheld shooting in harsh conditions. This is best for wildlife photographers who need a portable super-telephoto that can also capture frame-filling close-ups of insects and flora.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under €2,500 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO

55.2 Wildlife/Sports Score
40-150mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 80-300mm equivalent range and weather-sealed, all-metal build deliver professional-grade reliability and consistent light gathering. The Dual VCM autofocus with a manual focus clutch provides fast, precise control, while the ZERO coating suppresses flare for high-contrast results. This lens is best for outdoor event and portrait photographers who need a rugged, fast telephoto zoom without the bulk of full-frame systems.

View Details & Prices

Premium Lenses for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED V335280BW000 300mm

51 Wildlife/Sports Score
300mmf/22Micro Four ThirdsISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining a 600mm equivalent reach with a constant f/4 aperture in a 1475g weather-sealed body, this lens delivers handheld super-telephoto capability without a tripod. Its optical formula uses three Super ED elements and Z Coating Nano to suppress aberrations and flare, yielding sharp, high-contrast images with a 5-stop image stabilization system. This is the ideal tool for wildlife and sports photographers using Micro Four Thirds who need a portable, all-weather setup for distant subjects.

View Details & Prices