Capturing the thrill and dynamism of sports requires a lens that can keep up with the fast-paced action on the field. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, choosing the right telephoto lens can make all the difference in achieving those stunning, high-impact shots. Sony offers a range of telephoto lenses that are perfectly suited for sports photography, each bringing its own strengths to the table. In this article, we'll take a closer look at four standout Sony telephoto lenses that excel in capturing on-the-field action: the speedy Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II, the lightweight Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master, the versatile Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master and the powerful Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. From ultimate reach to lightning-fast focus, these lenses have you covered for every exciting moment of the game.

Capture decisive moments in games, meets and matches with these Sony telephoto lenses that put you in the middle of sports action.

The Classic Telephoto: Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II

The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II’s perfect blend of speed, precision and image quality makes it an excellent choice for sports photography. The fast f/2.8 aperture is a lifesaver in low-light situations, like when you're shooting indoors or on a cloudy day – it still gives you sharp images with that dreamy background blur everyone loves. The optics are top-notch on the second-generation G Master, so your sports shots are sure to be crisp throughout the entire zoom range. Plus, the autofocus is super fast and accurate – a must when you're trying to track quick movements on the field. It's also built like a tank with professional weather sealing, so you don't have to worry about a little rain or dust. Overall, if you need versatility and reliability for sports, this lens is hard to beat.

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II

Professional sports photographer David Horn (@davehorn247) says if he could only have one lens in his kit, the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II would be it. He says, "It's sharp and gives a versatile focal length.  It’s what I consider to be my ‘money shot’ lens. Key images when shooting football are the player scoring a goal and then celebrating the goal and most of those images that I’ve taken, and have had published in national and international publications, are with the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. I have the 70-200mm paired with my Sony Alpha 9 III primarily because of the focusing speed accuracy of both together, and the pre-focusing option on the body (I tend not to need to crop much into these images). I also use it with the Sony Alpha 1." Read more in What's In My Bag: A Sony Alpha Sports Kit For Premier League Action.

A celebration of Luton Town Football Club’s goal of the season – a fast break against Liverpool at home ending in Tahith Chong (right) putting the home team up 1-0. A frame from this sequence was also used on the from page of The Times football supplement, The Game. Photo by David Horn. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/1600-sec., f/3.5, ISO 5000

Featherweight Champion: Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master

This Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master is a real powerhouse for action shots, and what sets it apart is how lightweight it feels. You won't believe how easy it is to carry around, which is perfect for those long days at the field. The f/2.8 aperture is fantastic for getting those sharp images with stunning background blur, even when the lighting isn't great. The autofocus is super quick and precise, so you can effortlessly track fast-moving players and capture those crucial moments. It's also built to withstand the elements, thanks to its durable construction. With this lens, you get both superb performance and convenience – making it a fantastic choice for any sports photographer.

Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master

Sony Artisan Patrick Murphy-Racey loves the Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master on the football sidelines. He says, "The Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master has beautiful bokeh and makes the crazy busy backgrounds at D1 college games into beautiful watercolors. At exactly half the focal length of the Sony 600mm f/4 G Master, the Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master allows me to see more as the action unfolds so I don’t miss touchdown plays or the fanatical special teams’ performance. The Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master is king of the Red Zone! I use the Zemlin extended lens shade on my Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master because I love to shoot back-lit and sometimes with a Sony 1.4X Teleconverter or Sony 2.0X Teleconverter." Read more in What’s In My Bag: See This Sports Photographer’s Kit For College & Pro Football.

Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/4000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 400

Range Meets Speed: Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master

The Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master really bridges the gap between range and speed, which is a total win for capturing action on the field. You get that amazing 100-400mm range, so whether you're up close or need to zoom in on the far end of the field, you're covered. Plus, even though the aperture isn't as wide as an f/2.8, it still handles low light pretty well. Like all G Master lenses, the autofocus is super responsive and you'll find tracking fast-paced action a breeze. It's also surprisingly easy to handle for a lens with such a broad zoom range, so you can lug it around all day without feeling like you've been to the gym. If sports photography is your thing, this lens is a must-have in your kit.

Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master

The Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master is a great lens when outdoor and sports photographer Dietmar Körbler(@didi.koerbler) needs extra reach. In winter, he devotes the majority of his time capturing freeride skiing, and this lens gives him the speed and reach he needs to capture fast-action images like the one below. He says, "This is probably one of the sharpest lenses out there and with its 400mm reach, it's perfect to get close to the action." Read more in What’s In My Bag: A Kit For Capturing Outdoor Winter Sports & Adventures.

“For this shot I used the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM to get close to the action from the opposite slope. (Skier: Christoph Mitsche). Photo by Dietmar Körbler. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master.

Ultimate Reach: Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G

For those epic sports shots where you need some serious reach, the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G is the lens to grab. The telephoto is perfect for capturing action from way across the field without missing a beat. It's a beast in terms of range, going all the way to 600mm, so you'll feel like you're right in the middle of the action even if you're standing way back. The autofocus is smooth and reliable, so you can effortlessly track fast-moving players. It’s also pretty balanced for its size, so it’s not a total arm workout to carry around. If getting those tight, impactful shots is your goal, this lens is definitely one to consider adding to your collection.

Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G

Professional commercial photographer and videographer Quay Hu (@aroundq) calls the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G his go-to for action shots. The Alpha Collective member says, "I love the 200-600mm lens because of the range and how versatile it is. With the flick of my wrist, I can quickly go from 200mm to 600mm. I love to shoot on the baseline so the range allows me to get solo action shots from the other side." Read more in What’s In My Bag: See This Soccer Dad’s Ultimate Sony Setup.

Photo by Quay Hu. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/1250-sec., f/6.3