Zoom lenses are multi-purpose, and they allow you to shoot a wide range of subjects. A wide-angle zoom can be used for landscapes, environmental portraits, and even for commercial photography. A telephoto zoom lens, too, meets the needs of sports and portrait photographers, as well as event photographers. In the year 2020, we saw a variety of zooms, many of which continue to shine to this day. If you are looking for a few options for your needs, then this list can be helpful. Let’s dive in.
Get It: Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM
The 12-24mm zoom lens features 3XA (extreme aspherical) lenses, 2 Super ED (extra low dispersion) elements, 3 ED elements, and aspherical elements. It also has a maximum magnification ratio of 0.14x, a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches, weather resistance, and nine aperture blades. The reason one must choose this lens includes appedy autofocus, overall build quality, control over flare and chromatic aberrations, and great image quality with excellent colors. It is also the winner of our Editor’s Choice Awards.
Get It: Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S
This Nikon zoom is one of the many for mirrorless cameras. It is special because it features 16 elements in 11 groups, 9 aperture blades, a 0.92 ft close focusing distance, and a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.13x. The lens’ pros include a digital displace, weather sealing, control over flare, and it offers exceptional bokeh. There is also excellent autofocus performance, great color rendition, and incredible sharpness. All of this makes it a winner for us.
Get It: Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM
The Canon RF 15-35mm is another great lens that features 9 aperture blades, a close focusing distance of 0.92ft, and 16 elements in 12 groups. It also has an 82 mm filter size and a 0.21x maximum magnification. The lens also features weather sealing, image stabilisation, built quality, and quick autofocus. It is also sharp, has great image quality, and reproduces colors well. Overall, it is a lens that will never disappoint you.
Get It: Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8 L IS USM
Another L series zoom lens that deserves a mention on the list is the RF 70-200mm, which is perfect for portrait photographers. It features 5-stop shake reduction, two spherical elements, one Super UD and one UD lens element, and a minimum Focusing Distance of 2.3ft. The lens excels at design and compactness, bokeh, close focusing distance, sharpness, and bokeh. The weather sealing and rich colors are another reason to go for it.
Get It: Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1 L IS USM
At this point, you shouldn’t be surprised to see another Canon L series zoom on the list. The RF 100-500mm is quite a catch for wildlife photographers. Constructed with 20 elements in 14 groups, the optics offers 9 aperture blades, 5 stops of image stabilization, and a minimum focusing distance of 3ft. It is expensive, but it also offers a plethora of good points. These include focusing, image stabilisation, colors, bokeh, and even sharpness. We couldn’t find a flaw with it.
The One to Skip: Sony 28-60mm F4-5.6
The Sony 28-60mm f4-5.6 has 7 aperture blades, a minimum focusing distance of 0.99ft, and a maximum magnification of 0.16x. While the lens is compact and fast, it is still a kit lens. It lacks image stabilization, has a slow aperture, and it doesn’t make sense to choose this one as a prime lens. As we said in our review, “There’s nothing incredibly exciting about this lens. Sure, it’s collapsible. But we live in a world of small, high-quality prime lenses. Even for someone stepping up to their first camera, Sony should offer something a bit more substantial. It’s not a bad lens, but it’s hard to get excited about it. It feels like an afterthought.”