Ranking: Top 5 lenses Canon, Nikon, Leica, Sony, OlympusImagine stepping into a garage filled with dream supercars, each brand flaunting its most powerful, cutting-edge—and, of course, prohibitively priced—model. That’s exactly where we stand when talking about these five camera lenses. Each manufacturer has rolled out its own &ld... (Read the full Tiiip)
Ranking: Top 5 lenses Canon, Nikon, Leica, Sony, OlympusImagine stepping into a garage filled with dream supercars, each brand flaunting its most powerful, cutting-edge—and, of course, prohibiti ...
Ranking: Top 5 lenses Canon, Nikon, Leica, Sony, Olympus
Imagine stepping into a garage filled with dream supercars, each brand flaunting its most powerful, cutting-edge—and, of course, prohibitively priced—model. That’s exactly where we stand when talking about these five camera lenses. Each manufacturer has rolled out its own “hypercar”—a masterpiece of optical engineering that’ll get your pulse racing… but might also make your wallet sob.
If you’ve got the guts (and the funds) to take one of these beauties for a spin, get ready to tear up the photographic track like a pro driver, capturing reality with stunning sharpness and jaw-dropping color. For the rest of us, there’s always the (still quite enjoyable) option of admiring them from afar, daydreaming, and maybe starting a supercar-shaped piggy bank. After all, dreaming is free—unlike these lenses!
An overview of five high-end lenses designed for very specific photographic needs and with significant budgets in mind. We’ll discuss technical features, strengths, and potential limitations to provide a complete perspective for those considering such an investment.
1. Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM – approximately €24,000
Main Features
Focal length: 1200mm
Maximum aperture: f/8
Optical Image Stabilization (IS): Yes
Build: Canon L series, high-quality materials for robustness and durability
Compatibility: RF mount (Canon full-frame mirrorless)
Weight and dimensions: Very large, typical of a professional super telephoto lens
Pros
Exceptional reach: The 1200mm focal length allows you to capture subjects at extreme distances, ideal for wildlife (birds, wild animals) and sports in large stadiums.
Image quality: As expected from the L series, sharpness and color rendition are top-notch.
Image Stabilizer: Essential at such extreme focal lengths, it helps reduce motion blur even when using relatively slow shutter speeds for a 1200mm lens.
Native RF compatibility: Designed for Canon’s latest generation mirrorless cameras, it fully exploits the potential of the new camera bodies.
Cons
Maximum aperture of f/8: Although optical quality is excellent, such a narrow aperture limits brightness and often requires higher ISO or longer exposure times.
Large size and weight: Transporting and using it handheld is extremely challenging; in practice, it requires a sturdy tripod or monopod.
Very high cost: A major investment, suitable only for professionals with very specific needs.
2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR – approximately €20,000
Main Features
Focal length: 800mm
Maximum aperture: f/5.6
Optical Stabilization (VR): Yes
FL (Fluorite) and ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) elements: To control aberrations and ensure high sharpness
Compatibility: Nikon DSLRs (FX), also usable in DX mode with crop factor
Electromagnetic diaphragm (E): For more precise exposure control
Pros
Excellent sharpness and color rendition: Fluorite and ED elements provide outstanding image quality.
f/5.6 aperture: More light intake compared to an f/8 lens, allowing lower ISO or faster shutter speeds.
VR stabilization: Offers several stops of advantage, especially useful at 800mm.
Versatility on FX and DX: Mounted on a Nikon APS-C body (e.g., the D500), it becomes the equivalent of a 1200mm lens.
Cons
Significant weight and bulk: Like any super telephoto lens, it’s not practical for “light” situations.
High cost: Though slightly more affordable than the Canon 1200mm, it’s still a specialized purchase for professional use.
Requires a high-end DSLR body: To fully exploit this lens’s capabilities, a professional Nikon body (such as the D6 or D850) is recommended.
3. Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux-M Aspherical – approximately €14,700
Main Features
Focal length: 75mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.25
Optical design: Aspherical, designed for extreme sharpness and a distinctive bokeh
Exceptionally bright aperture: f/1.25 allows shooting in very low light conditions, while producing an incredibly soft and deep bokeh.
Leica build quality: Sturdy, well-finished, with premium materials and minimal manufacturing tolerances.
Unique aesthetic rendering: The Leica “look” is renowned, especially for Noctilux lenses, offering highly recognizable image character.
Relatively compact (considering its brightness): Compared to super telephoto lenses, it’s easier to carry around.
Cons
Very high price: As is often the case with Leica, excellence comes at a cost.
Extremely shallow depth of field at full aperture: It can be challenging to achieve precise focus, especially on rangefinder bodies.
Manual focus only: Like many Leica M lenses, it lacks autofocus; focusing manually requires skill.
4. Sony FE 600mm F4 GM OSS – approximately €14,000
Main Features
Focal length: 600mm
Maximum aperture: f/4
Optical SteadyShot (OSS): Yes, works in tandem with the IBIS in Sony mirrorless cameras
G Master optical design: ED elements and other coatings to reduce aberrations and flare
Compatibility: Sony full-frame mirrorless (E mount)
Pros
Wide f/4 aperture: Compared to super tele lenses with smaller apertures, it ensures better performance in low light and provides pleasing background blur.
Lightweight (for its class): Sony has focused on reducing weight by using magnesium and lightweight alloys, making it more “portable” than some other super telephotos.
Fast and accurate AF: Combined with Sony’s flagship bodies (A1, A9, A7R V), autofocus is extremely quick, ideal for sports and bird photography.
Combined stabilization: OSS plus the camera’s IBIS further improves shooting stability.
Cons
Price: While more “affordable” than some 600-800mm super tele lenses from competing brands, it’s still very expensive.
“Limited” to 600mm: For some extreme requirements, it may not be sufficient compared to 800mm or 1200mm lenses (though teleconverters are available).
Requires a high-end Sony body: To fully utilize AF capabilities and optical performance, pairing it with top-level Sony mirrorless cameras is recommended.
5. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO – approximately €7,500
Main Features
Equivalent focal length (on Micro 4/3): 300-800mm, expandable to about 1000mm with the built-in 1.25x teleconverter
Maximum aperture: f/4.5 constant (becomes f/5.6 with the teleconverter engaged)
Built-in 1.25x teleconverter: Activated with a dedicated lever, making it easy to switch from 400mm to 500mm actual (equivalent to 1000mm)
Sync IS with Olympus bodies: Among the best stabilization systems on the market
Weight and dimensions: More compact than full-frame super tele lenses, but still considerable
Pros
Extreme versatility: Covers equivalent focal lengths from 300mm to 800mm, with a quick switch to approximately 1000mm; ideal for wildlife, sports, or distant subjects.
Excellent stabilization: In combination with Olympus cameras (OM-D series), you gain several stops of stabilization advantage.
Relatively compact: Compared to full-frame or medium-format alternatives, it is more manageable and lighter.
High image quality: Olympus’s PRO series delivers top-level optical performance, with good sharpness across the range.
Cons
Micro 4/3 sensor: Smaller than full frame, it may struggle in low light, especially at such long focal lengths and not-so-bright apertures.
High price for the Micro 4/3 system: It remains a very expensive lens, though “affordable” compared to full-frame super telephotos.
No support for other formats: The lens is dedicated to the Olympus/Panasonic MFT system; compatibility with other systems is impossible without adapters (and would be limited anyway).
Final Thoughts
What more can be said? Each of these lenses stands out as a top performer in its class and a dream for any photography enthusiast. Ultimately, the choice hinges on your camera system, the type of photography you do, and—above all—the budget you have.