Best Lenses under £400 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

88.7 Wildlife/Sports Score
16-50mmf/3.5Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 57g with a retractable design, this lens combines OSS stabilization and power zoom for smooth, silent autofocus—ideal for video on Sony APS-C bodies. Its compact 16-50mm range and 4 aspherical elements deliver respectable sharpness for the size, though the f/3.5-5.6 aperture limits low-light capability. Best for casual shooters and travel vloggers who need a lens that slips into a pocket without weighing down a compact E-mount kit.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony YZ0308

63.7 Wildlife/Sports Score
f/3.5Screw-on lens fits camera lenses with a 55mm front filter threadIS
Why we recommend this

The 0.43x magnification factor expands your field of view with multicoated glass optics that keep contrast decent for a screw-on adapter. A detachable macro element delivers an 81.6 close-up score, letting you capture tiny details without swapping lenses. This accessory fits hobbyists using 55mm-threaded kit lenses who want to explore wide-angle and macro photography on a budget.

View Details & Prices

Sony FE SEL50F18F/2 50mm

58.1 Wildlife/Sports Score
50mmf/22Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering a 75mm equivalent portrait perspective on APS-C bodies, this compact 202g lens pairs a bright f/1.8 aperture with built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization for 4 stops of shake reduction. Its lightweight build and smooth, quiet autofocus make it a discreet and affordable option for everyday shooting. This lens is best for travel and portrait photographers using Sony E-mount crop-sensor cameras who want sharp, stabilized images in a highly portable package.

View Details & Prices

Sony SEL55210/B

33 Wildlife/Sports Score
55-210mm
Why we recommend this

The 55-210mm zoom offers a versatile 82-315mm equivalent range with f/4.5-6.3 aperture, plus internal focusing and quiet autofocus for smooth video capture. Its compact aluminum-alloy build and built-in Optical Steady Shot stabilization make it a lightweight, stable telephoto option for handheld shooting. Best for budget-conscious photographers seeking an affordable telephoto for sports, wildlife, and casual video work.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under £800 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS

70.6 Wildlife/Sports Score
24-105mmf/4Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/4 aperture across a 24-105mm range, combined with 4 aspherical and 3 ED elements, delivers consistent exposure and sharpness for a true one-lens solution. The 663g build integrates Optical SteadyShot stabilization and full weather sealing, making it a durable, handheld-friendly option for unpredictable conditions. This lens is best for landscape and travel photographers who need a single, reliable zoom covering wide vistas to short telephoto details without swapping glass.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony G SEL40F25G 40mm

52.3 Wildlife/Sports Score
40mmf/22Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining a 40mm focal length with a featherlight 173g build, this full-frame prime delivers G-series sharpness through three aspherical elements and one ED element. Its dust and moisture-resistant construction and de-clickable aperture ring offer tactile, professional-grade control in a package small enough for any bag. This lens is best for travel and street photographers who prioritize a discreet, all-day carry with a natural field of view.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under £1,000 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

Sony FE SEL2450G 24-50mm

74.1 Wildlife/Sports Score
24-50mmf/22Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining a constant f/2.8 aperture with a remarkably light 440g build, this lens stands out for its portable, weather-sealed design without sacrificing speed. The inclusion of aperture de-click and lock switches, alongside 0.33x maximum magnification, makes it a uniquely versatile hybrid tool for both smooth video operation and close-up detail work. It is best for travel and everyday photographers who prioritize a compact kit for walkaround shooting but still demand full-frame f/2.8 brightness.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony G 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS

68.5 Wildlife/Sports Score
70-300mmf/29Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

This 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 telezoom stands out with its linear motor AF, 2 ED elements, and Nano AR Coating delivering reliable sharpness, all within a dust- and moisture-resistant construction. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization enables sharp handheld shots at 300mm, while the 9-blade circular diaphragm renders smooth bokeh for portraits. Best for outdoor and wildlife photographers who need a portable 854g telephoto lens that balances reach, stabilization, and robust build quality.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under £2,000 for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

Sony G SELP28135G.SYX 28-135mm

91.3 Wildlife/Sports Score
28-135mmf/4Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A servo-powered zoom mechanism and constant f/4 aperture across the 28-135mm range make this a standout for controlled video environments. Optical SteadyShot stabilization and a Nano AR Coating ensure sharp, consistent footage, while the full-frame E-mount compatibility offers wide creative latitude. This lens is best for documentary filmmakers and event videographers who need a single, reliable parfocal zoom for run-and-gun shooting.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS

87.6 Wildlife/Sports Score
24-240mm22-40Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom range with built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization provides a 10x all-in-one reach in a weather-sealed, 780g body. The linear motor autofocus is fast and silent, while the circular aperture creates pleasing bokeh for portraiture and close-up depth. It’s best for travel and landscape photographers who need a single, stabilized lens to cover wide vistas through telephoto details without swapping glass.

View Details & Prices

Sony G Master SEL1635GM 16-35mm

71.4 Wildlife/Sports Score
16-35mmf/22Sony EWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A 20% weight reduction to just 547g makes this f/2.8 zoom remarkably portable without sacrificing its constant aperture or weather-sealed build. Four XD Linear Motors deliver fast, silent autofocus and the 0.32x maximum magnification offers close-focusing versatility rare in wide-angle zooms. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who need a lightweight, full-frame 16-35mm optic for demanding field work.

View Details & Prices

Premium Lenses for sports and wildlife

Best Pick

Sony FE 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS

82.3 Wildlife/Sports Score
400-800mmf/6.3Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Delivering an 800mm native reach that extends to 1600mm with teleconverters, its internal zoom design keeps the 2.5 kg lens balanced and sealed against the elements. Remarkable close-up capability for a super-telephoto, focusing down to 1.7 m at 0.23x magnification, allows frame-filling shots of small wildlife. This lens is ideal for birders, sports photographers, and videographers who demand 800mm reach with smooth, breathing-free video capture.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Sony G Master SEL300F28GM 300mm

73.3 Wildlife/Sports Score
300mmf/22Sony EISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 1470g, this 300mm f/2.8 prime delivers a rare combination of speed and portability for a full-frame super-telephoto. Dual XD Linear Motors provide fast, silent autofocus, while Optical SteadyShot stabilization and 11-blade aperture ensure sharp, clean results in challenging light. This lens is best for field sports and wildlife photographers who need to handhold a bright telephoto for extended periods without fatigue.

View Details & Prices