10 Best Canon Sports Lenses 2025 in the United States

The Canon RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM lens is designed with sports photography in mind, providing a versatile focal length range of 100-300mm that is suitable for capturing fast-moving subjects from a distance. One of its standout features is the constant f/2.8 aperture, which ensures excellent control over depth of field and outstanding low-light performance. This is complemented by fast and accurate autofocus, making it easier to capture sharp images of moving subjects.

The lens also boasts excellent image quality, thanks to the inclusion of one fluorite lens and four Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) glass elements that help to minimize chromatic aberration and enhance clarity. Additional coatings like fluorine and Super Spectra Coating (SSC) reduce ghosting and flare, which is particularly useful in challenging lighting conditions often encountered in sports photography. Another key feature is the optical image stabilization, offering up to 5.5 stops of correction, and up to 6.0 stops when paired with compatible EOS R series cameras. This helps to achieve sharp images even when shooting handheld.

The build quality is robust, with weather sealing that makes it suitable for outdoor use in various conditions. However, the lens is relatively heavy at 5.7 pounds, which could impact portability and ease of use during extended shooting sessions. While this lens is an excellent tool for professional sports photographers, its weight and high-end features might be less appealing to casual users or those looking for a more compact and lightweight option.

The Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is an excellent choice for sports photography, offering a versatile focal range of 70-200mm. This lens stands out with its constant F2.8 aperture, allowing for great low-light performance and beautiful background blur, essential for capturing fast-moving subjects in sports. The dual Nano USM motors ensure quick and silent autofocus, making it suitable for both stills and video.

Additionally, the 5-stop Image Stabilizer helps to reduce camera shake, providing sharper images, especially useful in dynamic sports environments. The L-series build quality is robust with weather-sealing, protecting against dust and moisture, which is critical for outdoor sports events. The fluorine coatings on lens elements further enhance durability by guarding against scratches.

On the downside, although the lens is relatively lightweight for its class at 2.36 pounds, it might still be somewhat hefty for extended handheld use. Moreover, its premium construction and advanced features come with a higher price tag. Nonetheless, for those serious about sports photography and seeking top-notch performance and durability, the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM is a compelling option.

The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens is a solid choice for sports photography, offering a versatile focal length range of 100-500mm. This range is beneficial for capturing distant action shots with great detail. The lens's aperture range of F4.5-7.1 might be a limitation in low-light conditions but is generally adequate for well-lit sports environments. One of the standout features is its optical image stabilization, providing up to 5 stops of shake correction, which is particularly useful when shooting handheld or in dynamic scenarios.

The autofocus system is both fast and quiet, thanks to the dual Nano USM motors, ensuring you don't miss critical moments during fast-paced sports events. With three different image stabilization modes, you have the flexibility to choose the best setting for various shooting conditions, whether it's standard, panning, or during exposure only.

In terms of build quality, this lens is part of Canon's L-series, known for its durability and weather sealing, making it suitable for outdoor sports photography even in challenging weather conditions. However, at 3 pounds, it is relatively heavy, which might be a consideration if you need to carry it around for extended periods. The lens is compatible with Canon's EOS R series mirrorless cameras, ensuring seamless integration and performance. While the minimum focusing distance of 3 feet allows for some close-up shots, its strength lies in capturing distant subjects. This lens offers excellent performance for sports photographers who need a versatile telephoto zoom lens with reliable autofocus and image stabilization, though its weight and aperture range may pose some limitations.