A telephoto lens is a long-focus lens in which the physical length of the lens is shorter than the focal length. Telephoto zoom lenses for Nikon are typically used for wildlife, bird photography and also in action and sports photography.
Telephoto lenses are sometimes broken into the further sub-types of medium telephoto: lenses covering between a 30° and 10° field of view (85mm to 135mm in 35mm film format), and super telephoto: lenses covering between 8° through less than 1° field of view (over 300mm in 35mm film format).
Looking for best telephoto zoom lenses for Nikon DSLR cameras? Here are some recommendations according to DxOMark ratings and to our suggestions.
Best Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Nikon Full Frame FX-format DSLRs
Below you can see the best telephoto zoom lenses for Nikon D4S, D810, D750, D800, Df, D610, D600, D4, D3S Full Frame digital SLR cameras.
Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD is the best telephoto zoom lens for Nikon full frame DSLR. The lens is much cheaper than AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G and provides great image quality with better DxOMark score overall.
The AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR and the new released Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM are good alternatives when compared to the AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G II.
| Lens | Price | DxOMark Score | Buy Now |
| Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD | $1,499 | 33 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II | $2,397 | 31 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR | $1,397 | 30 | Amazon |
| Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | $1,999 | – | Amazon |
| Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD | $1,069 | – | Amazon |
| Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | $3,599 | 28 | Amazon |
| Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II | $6,749 | 27 | Amazon |
| Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR | $2,297 | 24 | Amazon |
| AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED | $587 | 22 | Amazon |
| Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM | $949 | 20 | Amazon |
| Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR II | $300 | 19 | Amazon |
Telephoto Zoom Lenses for Nikon APS-C sensor DX-format DSLRs
Below you can see the best telephoto zoom lenses for Nikon D7100, D7000, D5300, D5200, D5100, D3300, D3200, D300S, D300 DX-format digital SLR cameras.
AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II and Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD are the best two telephoto lenses for Nikon DX-format DSLRs. Both lenses are tested on Nikon D7100. For value your money the new Tamron is a very good option. Otherwise the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 always on top of the list.
The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD has very good reviews and is also a great lens. The lens has been chosen as the Best Expert DSLR lens in 2014.
| Lens | Price | DxOMark Score | Buy Now |
| AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II | $2,397 | 23 | Amazon |
| Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD | $1,499 | 23 | Amazon |
| Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD | $1,069 | – | Amazon |
| Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | $3,599 | 21 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR | $1,397 | 21 | Amazon |
| Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM | $1,249 | 20 | Amazon |
| Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) MACRO | $769 | 17 | Amazon |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | $597 | 16 | Amazon |
| AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED | $587 | 15 | Amazon |
| Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS | $309 | 15 | Amazon |
| AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR | $997 | 15 | Amazon |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II | $847 | 13 | Amazon |
| Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD | $349 | – | Amazon |
