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Looking for the right optic for action photography? Pro wildlife and nature photographer Tom Mason runs through the types of lenses he uses to create his stunning images, examining appropriate focal lengths, weather-sealing and pros and cons of both prime and zoom options.

Want the perfect action lens? Here are our recommendations

Sports and wildlife photographers often rely on prime lenses for excellent image quality, such as Nikon's 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II, although high-quality zooms can be more flexible. Look out for lenses with image stabilisation to help you get sharper shots, and also those with focus-limit switches as these can help you to focus faster. Lens collars are also useful, as they help balance heavier optics on tripods.

Select your fit

Canon

Good

Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM LensCanon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Lens

Better

Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS II USM LensCanon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS II USM Lens

Best

Canon EF 500mm f4 L IS II USM LensCanon EF 500mm f4 L IS II USM Lens

Nikon

Good

Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G AF-S VR IF-ED LensNikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G AF-S VR IF-ED Lens

Better

Nikon 300mm f4E PF ED VR AF-S LensNikon 300mm f4E PF ED VR AF-S Lens

Best

Nikon 500mm f4E FL ED VR AF-S LensNikon 500mm f4E FL ED VR AF-S Lens

Sony A

Good

Sony 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G SSM II LensSony 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens

Better

Sony 70-400mm f4-5.6 G SSM II LensSony 70-400mm f4-5.6 G SSM II Lens

Best

Sony 300mm f2.8 G SSM II LensSony 300mm f2.8 G SSM II Lens

Sony E

Good

Sony E55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS Lens - BlackSony E55-210mm f4.5-6.3 OSS Lens - Black

Better

Sony FE 24-240mm f3.5-6.3 OSS LensSony FE 24-240mm f3.5-6.3 OSS Lens

Best

Sony FE 70-200mm f4 G OSS LensSony FE 70-200mm f4 G OSS Lens

Fuji

Good

Fuji 55-200mm f3.5-4.8 R LM OIS XF Fujinon LensFuji 55-200mm f3.5-4.8 R LM OIS XF Fujinon Lens

Better

Fuji 50-140mm f2.8 WR OIS XF LensFuji 50-140mm f2.8 WR OIS XF Lens

Best

Fuji 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Fujinon Lens with 1.4X TeleconverterFuji 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR Fujinon Lens with 1.4X Teleconverter

Pentax

Good

Pentax 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 SMC DA SDM LensPentax 18-270mm f3.5-6.3 SMC DA SDM Lens

Better

Pentax 70-200mm f2.8 ED DC AW D-FA* HD LensPentax 70-200mm f2.8 ED DC AW D-FA* HD Lens

Best

Pentax 150-450mm f4.5-5.6 ED DC AW D-FA HD LensPentax 150-450mm f4.5-5.6 ED DC AW D-FA HD Lens

Olympus MFT

Good

Olympus 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II M.ZUIKO ED Micro Four Thirds Lens - BlackOlympus 75-300mm f4.8-6.7 II M.ZUIKO ED Micro Four Thirds Lens - Black

Better

Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 PRO M.ZUIKO DIGITAL LensOlympus 40-150mm f2.8 PRO M.ZUIKO DIGITAL Lens

Panasonic MFT

Good

Panasonic 100-300mm f4.0-5.6 II LUMIX G Vario LensPanasonic 100-300mm f4.0-5.6 II LUMIX G Vario Lens

Better

Panasonic 35-100mm f2.8 II LUMIX G X VARIO POWER O.I.S. LensPanasonic 35-100mm f2.8 II LUMIX G X VARIO POWER O.I.S. Lens

Best

Panasonic 100-400mm f4-6.3 Power OIS - Micro Four Thirds FitPanasonic 100-400mm f4-6.3 Power OIS - Micro Four Thirds Fit

Sigma

Good

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - Canon FitSigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - Canon Fit

Better

Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM Lens - Canon FitSigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Contemporary DG OS HSM Lens - Canon Fit

Best

Sigma 180mm f2.8 EX APO DG OS HSM APO Macro Lens - Canon FitSigma 180mm f2.8 EX APO DG OS HSM APO Macro Lens - Canon Fit

Tamron

Good

Tamron 16-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens - Canon FitTamron 16-300mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens - Canon Fit

Better

Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 SP Di VC USD Lens - Nikon FitTamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 SP Di VC USD Lens - Nikon Fit

Best

Tamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 SP Di VC USD Lens - Canon FitTamron 150-600mm f5-6.3 SP Di VC USD Lens - Canon Fit