List of the Best Parfocal Lenses (from Nikon, Canon, and Sigma)

Parfocal lenses maintain focus when zooming. They allow photographers and videographers to adapt the focal length without having to readjust focus. They keep the focus, although there are changes in the lenses‘ magnification or focal length. So, they allow cinematographers to zoom in and out from a subject and maintain the same focus.

Parfocal lenses are created for action photography, such as those with quick apertures and long telephoto focal lengths. As part of binoculars, these lenses are widely regarded as “zoom” or “focus adjusting” lenses.

They are used for zoom shots, dolly zooms, and crash zooms. The parfocal zoom lenses are critical to effective dolly zoom shots, which not only zoom but simultaneously move the camera. Crash zooms are typically found all over Quentin Tarantino’s directing style. It would not be easy to achieve these without using parfocal lenses.

They contain particular internal elements and are equipped with internal focusing mechanisms to maintain their focus irrespective of what you do with them. Their versatility indicates their ability to work on portraits, landscapes, sports, and several other things.

Comparison between parfocal lenses and varifocal lenses:

Aspect	Parfocal Lens	Varifocal Lens
Focus Maintenance	Maintains focus when zooming; no need for refocusing	Requires refocusing after zooming
Zooming Capability	Smooth and continuous zooming	Smooth and continuous zooming
Applications	Photography, videography, fast-paced situations	Surveillance, security, video conferencing
Precision	Offers precise focus control	It may require more manual focus adjustments
Lens Design	Complex internal lens design to maintain focus	Simpler lens design
Cost	Generally, higher costs due to the complexity of the design	Usually lower price due to more straightforward design
Availability	Available in a range of focal lengths and for various cameras	Widely available with different options and compatibility

These are some of the critical differences between parfocal lenses and varifocal lenses. Parfocal lenses are explicitly designed to maintain focus while zooming, which makes them suitable for situations where maintaining focus is crucial, such as professional photography and videography.

On the other hand, varifocal lenses require refocusing after zooming and are commonly used in surveillance, security, and video conferencing applications. Parfocal lenses’ cost and complexity are generally higher than varifocal lenses.

Benefits of parfocal lenses:

• They save you time and effort if you want to modify your focal length during a shot.
• They also save you time and effort if you want to zoom in and out when filming videos frequently.
• If you are a beginner photographer or looking for a lens that can withstand the abuse of frequently using your camera, you will need a parfocal lens.
• They prove helpful if you want to focus on a subject and rapidly switch over to another topic without needing to refocus the lens.
• Photographers can use a parfocal lens at a short distance to benefit from the wide-angle focal length and subsequently zoom back to capture a broader constitution of the subject.
• The corresponding focusing system provides excellent image quality and sharpness compared to other focusing systems like zoom or focus adjustments.
• Since they are created to generate a fixed focal plane, they can be used to employ excellent effects in cameras, binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, and other equipment.
• They ensure a smooth photography and videography experience. You don’t have to stop whenever your subject approaches closer or farther away. Your camera can still be able to capture images irrespective of the distance.

Best Parfocal lenses from Nikon:

Parfocal lenses from Nikon are a remarkable innovation in photography, offering photographers unparalleled convenience and precision. These lenses are designed to maintain focus on a subject when zooming in or out, eliminating the need for continuous refocusing and ensuring sharpness throughout the zoom range. Whether capturing a distant landscape or a close-up portrait, parfocal lenses provide consistent image quality and allow photographers to compose their shots without worrying about losing focus.

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4. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR:

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It is a versatile wide-angle to short telephoto lens famous for its electromagnetic aperture system and constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. You can use this lens with a Nikon full-frame high-resolution DSLR and obtain excellent clarity and sharpness. It suits studio work, landscape, press events, and weddings. It is versatile, efficient, and durable.

Its optical design contains a unique aspherical extra-low dispersion element, three aspherical, two extra-low dispersion, and high refractive index elements. They decrease distortions and chromatic aberrations across the zoom range.

The captured photos and videos perfectly balance soft blur effects and sharpness. They are free of ghosting, flare, spherical/chromatic aberration, and coma at any edges of the frame.

Features:

• Vibration reduction image stabilization technology decreases camera shake and vibration up to ~4.0 stops (for low light and handheld shooting).
• The f/2.8 constant aperture provides fast shutter speeds to lock immediate action, present stunning bokeh blur, and perform vividly in low light.
• The sweet spot of the zoom range is 24-70 mm.
• You can add an electromagnetic diaphragm to achieve fast auto-exposure control.
• Nikon Fluorine coating is available on the front and rear glass.
• Removing dirt, water, and smudges from the nonstick glass is easy.

Specifications:

Pros:

• High optical precision
• Captures sharp, stable images and HD videos
• Sharpness is maintained even in low-light conditions
• Zero distortion

Cons:

• Expensive

3. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR:

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This fast telephoto zoom lens offers outstanding performance for sports, wildlife photography, portraits, weddings, concerts, everyday shooting, and shooting in low-light conditions. The quality output makes it suitable for both serious hobbyists and pros. Whether you are shooting a powerhouse like the D5 or a DX DSLR like the D500, you can use this lens.

Its high durability and superior optics let it deliver outstanding results and upkeep focus while you zoom. So, it is perfect for wildlife and sports photography.

When used in a high-ISO Nikon DSLR, this lens explores new possibilities for shooting wildlife at dawn and dusk, sports, weeding, etc.

Features:

• Its key components include 6 ED glass elements and High Refractive (HRI) and Fluorite (FL) lens elements.
• The HRI and FL lens elements and magnesium alloy barrel keep the lens uniformly balanced.
• Nano crystal coating removes glare and distortion. It also maximizes sharpness and contrast, even in challenging backlit situations.
• The constant f/2.8 maximum aperture generates a stunning, smooth background blur.
• The lens barrel comes with four focus function buttons. They help you to achieve attractive autofocus or AF Lock.
• The focus and zoom rings have reversed positions for stable, comfortable zooming.
• The tripod collar ring rotates on ball bearings to smooth vertical and horizontal shooting transitions.
• AF tracking is enhanced for challenging subjects, having very slow or unpredictable movements, those moving at random speeds, and those chasing the camera at high speed.
• Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) drives near-silent, ultra-fast internal focusing (IF) without a breathing effect over the whole zoom range.
• All movable lens barrel components are perfectly sealed for water, dust, and drop resistance.
• The front lens element has Nikon’s nonstick Fluorine coat to resist fingerprints, dirt, and smudges.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Brilliant close-up portraits
• Stable, comfortable zooming
• The coating eliminates glare and distortion

Cons:

• It may have limited camera compatibility

2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR:

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This Nikon product is a versatile lens that covers portrait-length to super-telephoto focal lengths. It uses four extra-low dispersion elements and a super extra-low dispersion element. These elements significantly decrease color fringing and chromatic aberrations all over the zoom range for enhanced clarity and color accuracy.

The included lens hood blocks bright light sources like the sun and light from the lens to avoid lens flare and glare.

Due to the long maximum focal length, the lens allows you to focus on a tiny part of a scene. Subsequently, it provides a narrower angle of view than shorter focal lengths. You get the broadest angle of view at the shorter end of the lens. So, the lens lets you fit more parts of the scene into an image (according to APS-C format).

Features:

• VR image stabilization counterbalances the effects of camera shake by up to four shutter speed stops.
• The f/4.5 wide aperture allows the sensor to capture more light. So, it avoids blur by triggering a faster shutter speed. Also, it offers a shallow depth of field that lets you blur the background and focus on the subject.
• A Silent Wave Motor AF system generates quick, near-silent focusing performance, which suits movie recording and still shooting. You can turn the manual focus ring to override it instantly manually.
• 5x zoom range indicates the versatility of the lens.
• Nine rounded aperture blades control the light entering the camera’s sensor. It uses a selective focus technique and shallow depth of field.
• Nano Crystal and Integrated Coatings are applied to reduce ghosting and flare. So, the lens will improve color accuracy and contrast in vivid and backlit conditions.
• The rotating tripod collar allows you to mount the lens on a monopod or tripod.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Can focus to infinity without compromising sharpness
• Lightweight design
• Wide range of focal length

Cons:

• Limited accessories included

1. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR:

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This super-telephoto zoom lens is suitable for Nikon digital SLR cameras. It lets you capture and share magnificent views of wildlife, birds, athletes, motorsports, landmarks, and other far subjects. The fast f/5.6 constant aperture provides your shots and speed. It also offers stunning out-of-focus backgrounds over the whole zoom range.

Features:

• Vibration Reduction Image stabilization maintains steadiness and sharpness in your shots. It counterbalances camera shake up to -4.5 stops f.
• The electromagnetic diaphragm works in sync for the fastest shutter speeds and subjects. It transforms fast-moving action into impressive photo sequences.
• To achieve additional reach, you can increase the lens’ zoom power using an optional Nikon 1.4x, 1.7x, or 2x teleconverter.
• DX-format lets it add an extra 1.5x zoom effect for an angle of view analogous to a massive 750 mm
• Notwithstanding the extreme power, you can focus on subjects as near as 7.2 feet away for detailed close-ups.
• The fast f/ 5.6 constant aperture provides stunning out-of-focus backgrounds and excellent low-light performance.
• AF is compatible with optional TC-14E teleconverters and DSLRs providing f/8 support.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact design
• Great VR and color reproduction
• Tack-sharp clarity
• Fast autofocus

Cons:

• Not much suitable for portraits

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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR:

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The image stabilization system in this lens provides flawless, blur-free images for handheld photography. This lens is compatible with Nikon F (FX) digital SLR cameras.

Features:

• FX zoom lens with a 10.7 zoom ratio allows you to obtain high-quality images of far objects.
• The Vibration Reduction II (VR II) image stabilization system supports normal and active modes.
• The three aspherical lens elements and two extra-low dispersion (ED) glass elements let you obtain high contrast and resolution in all images.
• SWM (Silent Wave Motor) offers quick, quiet autofocus.
• The lens can focus 18 inches at any focal length.
• The rounded nine blades diaphragm offers clear and lifelike images.
• The zoom lock switch protects the lens barrel during traveling.
• The super-integrated coating boosts light transmission efficiency by providing excellent color consistency. It decreases the odds of flare in the snaps.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Nice picture reproduction
• Easy to carry around
• Quiet operation

Cons:

• Bulky body

Best Parfocal lenses from Canon:

Canon is renowned for its exceptional range of parfocal lenses, offering photographers unrivaled precision and versatility. Among the best parfocal lenses from Canon, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM stands out as a powerhouse, providing a constant aperture, superb image quality, and a versatile zoom range ideal for various shooting scenarios.

Another top contender is the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM, renowned for its exceptional sharpness, advanced image stabilization, and reliable autofocus, making it a favorite among sports and wildlife photographers. Canon’s commitment to optical excellence and innovation ensures that these parfocal lenses deliver outstanding performance and reliability, empowering photographers to easily capture breathtaking images.

13. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM:

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This Canon f/2.8L ultra-wide-angle zoom lens is designed to perform reliably even in the severest conditions. Its body is dust- and water-resistant. It perfectly captures wide-angle shots and landscapes while also maintaining your aperture. It comes protected in a nonstick fluorine coating. The output is sharp at all focus distances and apertures.

The latest optical design significantly improves outer and corner sharpness. UV protection filter decreases ultraviolet light and makes the lens suitable for everyday use. It helps remove bluish cast in images.

Features:

• Its focal range offers excellent perspective control with a quick, constant aperture.
• A high-speed CPU, inner focusing ring USM, and optimized AF algorithms offer precise and fast autofocusing.
• Subwavelength Coating (SWC) and Air Sphere Coating (ASC) substantially decrease ghosting and flare.
• Full-time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in AF mode.
• Three Aspherical & Two UD Elements
• Fluorine coating is available on exposed elements on the rear and front surfaces. It helps decrease fingerprints and smears.
• 9-blade circular aperture makes the camera capable of capturing beautiful out-of-focus areas and soft backgrounds all over its zoom range.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Superb control on the depth of field
• UD lenses decrease chromatic aberration.
• Air Sphere Coatings decrease ghosting and flare.

Cons:

• It is not much suitable for real estate photography and shooting small space

12. Canon CN-E 18-80 T4.4:

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This lens’s parfocal design maintains focus during zoom and offers versatile zoom capabilities. It is created with EF-mount cameras with Super 35 or APS-C-sized sensors. This lens is Canon’s first cine-style option to include autofocus and image stabilization functionalities when paired with Cinema EOS cameras.

The lens encompasses an 18 to 80mm focal range while maintaining a continuous T-stop of T4.4 (f/4) all over the content.

It is compact and lightweight and suitable for various productions, including narrative work, run-and-gun documentaries, etc.

The built-in RS-422 port provides lens control. So, you can use this lens as a PTZ system to configure your camera. Also, it is suitable for performing remote options while on a crane or jib. Hence, the lens is helpful in concerts, live productions that capture the cinematic capabilities of the lens, and houses of worship.

Features:

• It offers minimized focus breathing.
• The focus ring swivels 180°.
• To provide versatility, Canon equipped this lens with a servo drive unit. It is compatible with industry-standard lens controllers for focus, full zoom, and iris control. Alternatively, you can furnish the lens with the ZSG-C10 Control Grip (optional) for ENG-style lens control and operation.
• The grip gets power from compatible cameras through the EF mount.
• To employ non-servo zoom control, the lens contains cine-standard 0.8 mod gears and a rubberized grip on the focus ring that provides comfortable manual operation.
• 0.5 MOD iris and zoom gear rings are also included.
• The lens matches the color characteristics of prevailing CN-E lenses.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Lightweight and compact design
• Smooth rotation of focus ring
• Comfortable handling

Cons:

• Limited mounting compatibility

11. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM:

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It is suitable for nature/wedding photography. Its body is resistant to water, dust, and other weather elements. You can use it in harsh environments. It is perfect for both digital and film SLR cameras. You can use this lens in your camera to capture landscapes and interiors. It provides an effective USM and Canon’s full-time manual focus, generating silent and fast autofocus.

Features:

• A super UD glass element and three aspherical lens elements produce excellent optics in all conditions. The combination of these elements provides superb contrast and sharpness.
• Super UD glass is used to avoid the chromatic aberrations that frequently can damage the subject’s edge clarity.
• The powerful ring-type ultrasonic monitor (USMD) produces silent and fat autofocusing.
• The lens supports screw-in 77 mm filters or a holder at the rear for a maximum of 3 gel filters.
• The circular seven-blade diaphragm provides attractive out-of-focus quality that benefits the use of selective focus and depth of field techniques.
• The optical coatings are optimized for use with digital cameras.
• An enhanced AF algorithm and a fast central processing unit let the autofocus work quickly and silently.
• You can override AF mode using manual focus.
• An electromagnetic diaphragm controls the lens’ circular aperture. It attains a more beautiful appearance to out-of-focus background regions in a picture.
• A drop-in gelatin filter holder is available at the lens’s rear.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Elegant appearance
• Smooth focus and zoom rings
• Fast AF
• Environment-friendly, lead-free glass construction

Cons:

• Lacks f2.8 aperture

10. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM:

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This Canon lens is famous for its versatility and sharpness, making it a favorite choice among professionals. It upkeeps focus while you zoom. So it allows smooth transitions.

It is built with improved water and dust sealing resistance. The fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens surfaces help decrease smears, soiling, and fingerprints.

Features:

• The latest optical design uses two UD and a Super UD lens element. They minimize chromatic & spherical aberration in the external area at a wide angle. Also, these elements remove color blurring near the subject’s edges for images with high contrast and resolution.
• The zoom lock lever determines the zoom position at the wide end for risk-free transporting.
• Optimized lens coatings offer excellent color balance and minimal ghosting.
• The fluorine coating on the front and rear lens surfaces decreases fingerprints and smears.
• The included circular 9-blade diaphragm conveys stunning, soft backgrounds.
• A ring-type USM, high-speed CPU, and optimized AF algorithms achieve quiet and fast autofocusing.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Lightweight design
• All necessary accessories included
• High-quality coating resists damage

Cons:

• Autofocus can be better

9. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM:

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You can use this lens to focus on a wide range of subjects, from sports to portraiture. Its fast, constant f/2.8 maximum aperture performs well in low lighting conditions. Also, it gives improved control over the depth of field for isolating subjects. The lens is built in weather-sealed design.

Features:

• Optical Image Stabilizer counterbalances for 3.5 stops of camera shake to deal with handheld and low-light situations effectively.
• The optical layout uses fluorite and five UD elements to decrease color fringing and chromatic aberrations. So, you obtain excellent clarity across the whole zoom range.
• An air sphere coating decreases ghosting and flare for high contrast and color fidelity in all conditions.
• The internal focusing mechanism and a ring-type USM provide quiet, fast, and precise autofocus performance. Also, they offer full-time manual focus override.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Weather-sealed is perfect for use in various environments
• Accurate autofocus performance
• Broad camera compatibility

Cons:

• Initially, it was difficult to use some features

8. Canon CN-E 135mm T2.2 L F Cinema Prime:

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This Cinema Prime lens is uniquely designed for professional video applications. It provides parfocal capabilities. It is a telephoto prime lens compatible with the full-frame sensor format. So, it is an ideal lens for the Cinema EOS series and all Canon EOS DSLRs.

All control rings are precision-designed to achieve ultra-smooth operation and maintain constant torque. Its all-glass optical construction minimizes differences due to temperature deviations.

Features:

• It fulfills 4K production standards.
• It contains an 11-bladed eris diaphragm to provide smooth bokeh effects. The comprehensive scales on both sides of the barrel can be changed from footage to metric distances and vice versa. You can easily read settings from either side of the camera or behind.
• To efficiently and quickly implement lens changes, the lens is designed to share identical dimensions (diameter, gear position, and rotation angle) with other CN-E lenses.
• Glass construction counterbalances temperature-induced marking deviations.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Stunning bokeh effect
• Durable glass construction
• Easy-to-read markings

Cons:

• It needs cautious handling

7. Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM:

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This telephoto zoom slens’s constant f/2.8 maximum aperture and outstanding image quality make it one of the market’s most famous professional SLR lenses.

Features:

• 4 UD-glass elements are included to correct chromatic aberrations. So, the lens creates high-quality, sharp images for any application.
• It features a telephoto zoom lens, ultra-low dispersion glass, full-time manual focus, EF mount, and inner focusing.
• It is compatible with extender EF 1 4x II and 2x II.
• Ultrasonic motor (USM) offers quick, quiet, and precise autofocus.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Quiet and super-fast autofocusing
• Excellent sharpness and clarity
• Accurate autofocus.

Cons:

• Lacks stabilization.

6. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM:

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The critical aspects of this Canon lens are an inner focusing system, an f/4 maximum aperture, and a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM). The first two features combine to provide quiet and fast autofocusing. So, it is suitable for beginners and professional photographers. You can use it for Canon SLR cameras.

The ring-type USM is fast, quiet, and enables full-time minimum focus. It also provides the closest MF of any L-series 70-200 designs.

Features:

• It is compatible with the same tripod collar (not included).
• It blends two UD-glass and fluorite elements for excellent contrast and performance.
• It allows photographers to attach and use a circular polarizing filter conveniently. The reason is the front lens element doesn’t rotate during focusing.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Rapid and quiet auto-focusing
• Durable construction
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• Lacks IS

5. Canon CN-E 70-200mm T4.4 Compact-Servo Cine Zoom Lens (EF Mount):

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This Cine Zoom lens is suitable for 4K HDR Image Capture. It offers HDR and 4K compatible imaging for Super 35-sensor digital cinema cameras.

It maintains focus while zooming. So, you can vary the focal length without refocusing. The parfocal capability is quite advantageous in cinematography, where smooth zooms with uniform direction are required. This lens lets you achieve continuous stress in the entire zoom range.

The lens provides coverage in the typically used 70-200mm range. You can expand the range further by using the optional Canon EF 1.4x III and 2x extenders. The lens’s color characteristics match Canon cinema lenses, allowing smooth intercutting.

Features:

• It has a continuous maximum iris of T4.4 over its zoom range.
• Its 9-bladed iris can be used to create stunning bokeh effects.
• A click-less aperture allows iris control through a servo unit / wireless F/I/Z system.
• You can attach an external ZSG-C10 Zoom Servo Grip to the lens for hassle-free handheld operation.
• The select EF-mount cameras provide great control options like REC start/stop, zoom control, handgrip focus, chromatic aberration correction, lens metadata transfer, and autofocus functions.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Compatible with various cameras
• Comfortable handheld operation
• Excellent image stabilization

Cons:

• Slightly bulky

4. Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM:

 

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This lens is a versatile choice for wildlife and sports photographers. Also, it is a feasible telephoto zoom lens for various shooting applications. It uses Super Ultra-low Dispersion (Super UD) and Fluorite lens elements to deliver high-contrast, sharp images. They decrease distortions and aberrations over the zoom range to ensure clarity, color reproduction, and image sharpness.

Features:

• Full-time manual focus override provides accurate adjustment without moving your camera away from the eye.
• A 4-stop effective image stabilizer helps the lens minimize camera shake occurrences. It is helpful for various styles of shooting.
• An advanced rotation-type zoom ring pairs with an ultrasonic motor and an internal focusing mechanism to provide rapid and intuitive handling for handheld shooting.
• The lens elements are also applied with an air sphere coating to decrease lens ghosting and flare for contrast-rich image output.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Versatile super-telephoto performance
• Accurate and fast USM autofocus
• Efficient image stabilization

Cons:

• The image can be blurry

3. Canon EF 90-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM:

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Those above 90-300 mm lenses are lightweight and compactly designed telephoto zoom lenses. It is one of those lenses with the fastest AF speed in its class.

The AF-powered pattern is optimized for the EOS 300V, providing a faster AF speed. The latest high-speed CPU offers prompt communication between the camera and the lens. The latest AF algorithm has been developed. The exterior design matches the style of other EOS camera models.

Features:

• All the lens elements are created from environmentally friendly lead-free glass.
• The upgraded electromagnetic diaphragm (EMD) offers an aperture that is almost circular at the most comprehensive settings. So, it provides an enhanced out-of-focus background effect.
• The built-in micro USM (Ultrasonic Motor) motor runs almost noiseless.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Excellent sharpness
• Perfect for landscape photography
• Wide focal length

Cons:

• Limited advanced features

2. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM:

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This telephoto zoom lens for Canon SLR cameras is perfect for shooting wildlife, portraits, and sports. The advanced zoom mechanism makes zooming smoother. Also, it makes this lens version suitable for applications that need quick autofocus, like wildlife shoots or sporting events. It is also ideal for applications that require fast AF.

The lens shows a close focusing range and compact size. It also provides accessory compatibility for the non-USM lens.

Features:

• The front group rotating extension system comes with USM focus adjustment.
• The latest Micro USM makes auto-focusing quieter and quicker.
• The zoom ring’s front part features a silver ring for a sophisticated touch.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Super-quiet and super-quick
• Compact and lightweight design
• A broad range of diagonal view

Cons:

• It has some chromatic aberration and irregular fringing

1. Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x:

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This high-performance L-series super-telephoto zoom has a 1.4x extender (converts focal range to 280-560 mm and maximum aperture to f/5.6). So, it is perfect for wildlife and sports photography. The extender is placed at the lens’s bottom and applied with a simple lever switch. The lens is weather-sealed for use in challenging environmental conditions.

Features:

• The built-in 1.4x extender lets you switch between the native 200-400mm f/4 setting and an effective 280-560mm f/5.6 for broader reach.
• Optical Image Stabilizer offers up to four shutter speed stops of correction. This system has three unique stabilization modes to suit different shooting applications.
• 4 UD and fluorite lens elements offer outstanding correction of chromatic aberration all over the zoom range. They deliver superior-quality images with high contrast and resolution.
• A high-speed CPU, ring USM, inner focusing, and optimized AF algorithms offer quick and precise autofocusing with full-time manual focus override.
• Super-spectra lens coatings reduce glare and ghosting.
• A fluorine coating on the front and rear lens elements minimizes fingerprints and oily smears.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Includes all necessary accessories
• Multiple stabilization modes
• Quick and accurate autofocus

Cons:

• Require a monopod for better results

Best Parfocal lenses from Sigma:

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5. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art:

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Sigma designed this lens for APS-C sensor cameras. However, it attained fame for its exceptional parfocal abilities and image quality. It covers wide-angle to standard focal lengths.

The f/1.8 constant maximum aperture makes the lens suitable for challenging lighting conditions. Also, it provides excellent depth of field control all over the zoom range.

The optical design includes multiple SLD and aspherical elements. These elements help the lens attain sharpness and clarity by reducing color fringing, aberrations, and distortion. Hence, the lens achieves high color accuracy and clarity.

Features:

• An optimized AF algorithm generates smooth focusing performance.
• Hyper Sonic motor (HSM) and an internal focusing design offer quiet, fast, and accurate autofocus performance. The HSM also provides full-time manual focus control by rotating the focus ring.
• A Super Multilayer Coating is applied to reduce lens flare and ghosting. It contributes to generating color-neutral and contrast-rich imagery in any light condition.
• Four aspherical elements decrease spherical aberrations and distortion. They also boost overall sharpness and provide precise image rendering.
• The rounded 9-blade diaphragm provides a smooth and beautiful bokeh quality.
• The lens uses a thermally stable composite (TSC) material for high precision and use in broad temperature variations.
• A brass bayonet provides excellent mounting precision and rigidity.
• The lens is compatible with the optional Sigma USB Dock for adjusting various lens features and upgrading its firmware.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Precise depth of field
• Decent low-light performance
• Durable build quality

Cons:

• Inaccurate focus

4. Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art:

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This Sigma lens is suitable for those who want consistent resolution at up to F2.8 brightness or lower and efficiently control the beautiful bokeh effect. It is perfect for nature, news, and many other types of photography.

The front lens comes with an oil- and water-repellent coating. A rubber sealing is included in the mount design to make the lens splash and dust-resistant. Thermally stable composite (TSC) material construction provides high precision and sustains broad temperature variations. The contemporarily designed HSM and optical stabilizer functionality offer success on any shoot.

Features:

• The constant f/ 2.8 maximum aperture performs consistently even in the entire zoom range.
• HSM offers high-speed autofocus. It also provides a full-time manual focus override.
• The Optical Stabilizer streamlines handheld shooting and reduces camera shake to provide sharp imagery.
• The 9-blade rounded diaphragm produces a beautiful blur in the image’s background.
• A metal lens barrel offers high rigidity and stability.
• Four aspherical lens elements and 3 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass lens elements help reduce optical aberrations.
• Super Multilayer Coating decreases ghosting and flare to let photographers produce high contrast and sharp images in light conditions.
• The lens hood eliminates harmful rays that can severely impact photographs. It also minimizes reflectivity within the hood.
• The hood has a rubber construction and a non-slip groove to let you easily hold in various shooting situations.
• The splash and dustproof mount has rubber sealing.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Large-diameter zoom lens for any shoot
• Minimized flare
• Smooth bokeh

Cons:

• Lacks the ability to adjust the stabilization sensitivity

3. Sigma 50-100mm T2 Cine High-Speed Zoom:

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Sigma uniquely designed this lens for cinematography. It supports parfocal functionality to guarantee accurate focus throughout the zoom range. It provides a constant aperture of T2 in the entire zoom range.

The optical performance makes the lens suitable for high-resolution shooting in 6K to 8K. The lens provides superior image quality in its class.

Features:

• The lens barrel supports 180° rotation from close focus to infinity.
• The zoom barrel rotates 160°.
• The clickless iris ring supports 60° of rotation.
• All three lens control rings are equipped with cine-standard 0.8 Mod gears, and the focus scale is marked in feet.
• The lens’s front is 95 mm in diameter. This diameter offers compatibility with various matte boxes.
• It has a detachable 1/4″-20 support foot that helps the lens with the 1/4″-20 rod-mounted lens support (buy it separately).
• Each mount and ring is sealed to prevent dust and water from entering.
• The lens body is entirely made of metal to resist the rigors of daily life.
• The central lens markings show luminous paint for convenient visibility in low-light situations. You can easily read the zoom, and focus markings are readable from either side of this lens.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Dustproof and splash-proof design
• All metal body construction
• Easy visibility of lens markings

Cons:

• Lacks some basic accessories

2. Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS HSM Art:

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This product is a premium lens created for full-frame cameras. It will also work with APS-C sensors with an effective boost in focal length. It is a versatile and everyday lens.

Features:

• It provides fine and stable image quality from the broad to mid-telephoto range.
• This lens features a combination of a decent zoom ratio and fixed aperture.
• The minimum focusing distance and maximum magnification ratio make this lens suitable for close-up photography.
• It is MC-11 Compatible.
• Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) guarantees quiet, fast, and precise autofocusing.
• Optical Stabilizer (OS) compensates for camera shake.
• A 9-blade rounded diaphragm produces a stunning background blur.
• SLD and FLD glass elements counterbalance for different aberrations, curvature, and distortion. Thermally Composite Material (TSC) material is used to decrease the size and weight. It is compatible with the Sigma USB dock for more customization.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Silent HSM motor operation
• No blur or distortion
• Lightweight design

Cons:

• Not weather-sealed

1. Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary:

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This latest Sigma lens is implemented with updated Sigma technologies like a quiet and optimized Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) and Optical Stabilizer (OS) (with an accelerometer) for enhanced panning photography both horizontally and vertically. This lens is suitable for wildlife, birding, and motor photography.

The optical stabilization uses a built-in mechanism that counterbalances the camera shake. It significantly explores photographic possibilities by eliminating camera movement while shooting using a handheld camera.

Features:

• The included motor is driven by ultrasonic waves that generate quiet and high-speed autofocus. It offers high performance with low noise in various shooting situations.
• The FLD glass indicates F Low dispersion. It is built from a material equivalent to the performance of fluorite glass. This specially designed optic element provides excellent correction for residual chromatic aberration. Since its density is lesser than traditional glass, the lens construction is more efficient and lighter.
• The Sigma USB dock works with Sigma Optimization Pro software to connect a photographer’s lens to their PC. Hence, they can calibrate the lens, update firmware, and perform other customizations.
• The front glass element has an oil- and water-repellent coating. It simplifies the maintenance of the lens surface.
• The LCR II rear lens cap, LC-740E front cap, and LH1164-01 lens hood are the accessories that protect the lens.
• The included sleek case also protects the lens.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Reasonable price
• All necessary accessories included
• High-speed and quiet autofocus

Cons:

• The straps aren’t sturdy

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4. Sigma EX 10-20 f4-5.6:

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The ‘DC’ designation in this lens shows that it is created for DSLRs with APS-C or smaller sensors. It is a 10- to 20mm ultra-wide angle lens designed especially for Canon digital SLR cameras.

Features:

• Hyper-Sonic Motor (HSM) generates high-speed, silent autofocus and full-time manual focus.
• Multilayer lens coating decreases ghosting and flare.
• The integral petal-type hood blocks out extrinsic light.
• 3 Super-low dispersion glass elements minimize chromatic aberrations.
• Three aspherical elements decrease distortion and other aberrations. So, the output has superior image quality throughout the zoom range.
• Two hybrid aspherical elements and a glass mold aspherical element are included.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Durable build quality
• Perfect for shooting indoor pictures
• Low distortion

Cons:

• Bulky size

3. Sigma 18-50/2.8 EX Macro:

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This Sigma lens provides a massive aperture of f/2.8 over its whole range of focal lengths. Its enormous depth of field offers excellent freedom of creative expression. It is perfect for low-light conditions. It encompasses wide-angle to medium telephoto. Also, it is ideal for various types of subjects. You can use it with Canon digital SLR cameras.

It proves to be an ideal large aperture standard zoom lens for digital SLR cameras equipped with an APS-C size image sensor. The design of the lens power layout considers the digital SLR cameras’ characteristics. The latest design guarantees excellent peripheral brightness.

Features:

• An exceptional low dispersion (SLD) glass lens element effectively compensates for lateral chromatic aberration and other monsters that may likely happen with digital SLR cameras.
• The two aspherical lens elements offer correction for different aberrations and present superior-quality images over the zoom range.
• ELD and SLD glasses provide excellent correction of color aberrations.
• Super Multilayer (SML) coating provides the finest color balance. It also decreases ghosting and flare from which digital cameras might suffer.
• The minimum focusing distance of 28 cm, above its zoom range, is suitable for close-up photography.
• An inner focusing system is implemented.
• The non-rotating front lens element makes the lens appropriate for using its circular polarizing filters and petal-type lens hood.
• This lens efficiently corrects vignetting that usually occurs in large-aperture lenses.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Accurate and sharp
• Excellent image quality
• Durable construction
• Affordable price

Cons:

• No internal focusing

2. Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5:

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This Sigma product is an ideal large-aperture standard zoom lens designed for Nikon digital SLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors. It is perfect for various subjects. It offers a maximum magnification of 1:2.3 to allow close-up macro photography.

The multilayer lens coating and new lens design decrease ghosting and flare. Moreover, the lens performs well even in low-light conditions.

Features:

• It allows the addition of two aspherical lens elements and a Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element. So, it corrects all kinds of aberrations while generating superior optical performance at all intervals.
• It provides a vast aperture of f/2.8 at the 17 mm wide-angle setting.
• The inner focusing system offers a fast autofocus speed while protecting the front of the lens from rotating. Hence, the lens is especially suitable for circular polarizing filters and petal-shaped lens hoods.
• A zoom lock switch eliminates zoom creep during transportation.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Great lens for the price
• Fast autofocus
• Extremely sharp

Cons:

• Massive weight

1. Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art:

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This f1.8 lens features a 1.8 aperture throughout its focal length. It covers a proper range of 75-150mm. It is the world’s first APS-C zoom for DSLRs to provide a constant F1.8 aperture value all over the zoom range. It is ideal for capturing portraits with delicate bokeh effects and more.

It encompasses the focal lengths of three prime lenses in a package. These lenses are 85 mm F1.8, 105 mm F1.8, and 135 mm F1.8 (35mm equivalent).

Features:

• It has an updated HSM motor that offers quick and precise autofocus.
• 3 FLD and SLD elements are included for outstanding image sharpness.
• A high-refractive index element is included.
• SLD glass, FLD glass, and high-refractive index, high-dispersion glass reduce aberrations
• Including one or multiple low-dispersion elements in each element group lets the lens ensure outstanding image quality throughout the focal and zoom range.
• The users can access MF by rotating the focus ring. So, it facilitates quick focus adjustment by removing the dependency on the AF/MF focus mode switch.
• The diaphragm blades contain Carbon Feather film. The diaphragm unit includes the latest polycarbonate designed using fluorine. These innovations ensure the diaphragm operation is smooth, even in continuous shooting.

Specifications:

Pros:

• Beautiful, sharp image
• Durable construction
• Soft and pleasant bokeh

Cons:

• Very bulky

Concluding Note:

The parfocal lens’s ability to maintain focus while capturing and shooting ensures a smooth photography and videography experience. They guarantee outstanding image quality and sharpness. Also, you benefit from quiet, quick, and precise autofocus of your subject.