These are the best telephoto lenses for nature photography when you want sticky AF, honest long-end sharpness, weather-ready build, and rich micro-contrast for wildlife, birds, distant peaks, forest layers, waterfalls, flora details, and atmospheric tele-scapes—without lugging a tripod everywhere—and here’s what to look for as you buy: prioritize effective optical stabilization (VR/IS/OSS/OIS) with clean IBIS pairing, fast linear/USM/LM/STM motors for tracking, low distortion and strong flare control for sun-in-frame scenes, good close-focus for flowers and textures, internal zoom/focus for balance in wind and dust, teleconverter compatibility for seasonal reach, and fluorine-coated fronts for rain and spray; pick range by subject—70–200mm for compressed landscapes and larger mammals, 100–400mm for everyday wildlife/peaks, and 180/200–600mm (or 150–600mm) when birds or distant elk rule. Full-frame standouts: Sony FE 70–200mm ƒ2.8 GM II (light, blazing AF), FE 70–200mm ƒ4 G II (macro-ish close focus for flowers), FE 100–400mm GM (crisp long end), FE 200–600mm G (internal zoom, hike-able reach), Sigma 100–400mm ƒ5–6.3 DG DN OS (light “mini-wildlife” value), Sigma 150–600mm DG DN Sports (long, stabilized), and Sony PF-style light primes like FE 300/2.8 GM if budget stretches; Canon RF 70–200mm ƒ2.8L/ƒ4L IS (tiny, weather-sealed), RF 100–500mm ƒ4.5–7.1L IS (versatile, TC-friendly at the long end), RF 200–500mm ƒ4L IS (speed + reach for action), RF 600mm ƒ11 and 800mm ƒ11 (featherweight long primes for bright days), plus adapted EF 100–400mm II and EF 300/400/500 PF-era super-teles for value; Nikon Z 70–200mm ƒ2.8 S (stellar corners/VR), Z 100–400mm ƒ4.5–5.6 S (fast AF, TC-ready), Z 180–600mm ƒ5.6–6.3 (internal zoom, weather-tough), featherweight PF primes Z 400mm ƒ4.5 VR S and Z 600mm ƒ6.3 VR S (carry-all-day reach), and adapted F-mount 300mm ƒ4 PF / 500mm ƒ5.6 PF for hikers; L-mount: Panasonic S 70–200mm ƒ2.8 OIS and S 70–300mm ƒ4.5–5.6 OIS (close-focus champs), Sigma 100–400mm DG DN OS and 150–600mm DG DN Sports (balanced long options). APS-C and Micro Four Thirds winners: Sony E 70–350mm ƒ4.5–6.3 G OSS (sharp, stabilized, great for trails), Fujifilm XF 70–300mm ƒ4–5.6 OIS (light, TC-friendly), XF 100–400mm ƒ4.5–5.6 OIS (serious reach), XF 50–140mm ƒ2.8 OIS (compressed landscapes and larger fauna), Canon RF-S 55–210mm IS STM (compact starter), Nikon Z DX 50–250mm VR (punchy long end); Micro Four Thirds: OM SYSTEM 40–150mm ƒ2.8 PRO / ƒ4 PRO (weather-sealed, crisp), M.Zuiko 300mm ƒ4 IS PRO (legendary handholdable prime), OM SYSTEM 100–400mm ƒ5–6.3 IS and Panasonic/Leica 100–400mm (huge EFL reach in backpack size). Practical buyer tips: choose a 70–200mm if you love layered mountains, waterfalls, and larger animals; a 100–400mm is the all-day nature sweet spot for parks and coasts; step to 180/200–600 or 150–600 when birds/small wildlife dominate; internal-zoom designs (Sony 200–600, Nikon 180–600) handle wind/dust and balance on gimbals; confirm TC support and AF performance; standardize filter diameters for one CPL (use lightly on foliage/water) and ND/grad set; used EF/F-mount 70–200 ƒ4 IS, 100–400 II, and PF primes remain budget-savvy nature tools via adapters. Nature tele shooting tips: run AF-C with subject/eye detect and a limiter, keep shutter speeds honest (≈1/(focal length × crop) for static scenes; 1/1000–1/2000s for birds-in-flight), shoot near wide open then stop 1/3–2/3 stop for extra bite, brace on trees/rocks or use a monopod, fire short bursts to beat micro-shake, watch heat shimmer over long distances (shorten distance or shoot earlier/later rather than just zooming), manage backlight—use a hood and slight angle to preserve micro-contrast, and expose for highlights on water/feathers; for compressed landscapes, lock on a sturdy tripod, mid apertures (≈ƒ5.6–ƒ8 FF), electronic first curtain/2–5s timer, and consider stitched panos at 100–200mm for huge detail; respect wildlife ethics—keep distance, avoid nesting areas, and leave no trace—so your nature images come back sharp, steady, and beautifully alive.