The Sony 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 Zoom Lens ($899.99 direct) is a telephoto zoom lens that is compatible with Full Frame and APS-C Sony Alpha D-SLR cameras. The lens is ideally used to capture distant action, sports, and wildlife when used on either format. On an APS-C camera the lens captures a 105-450mm equivalent field of view. Like most telezooms it is quite large and heavy—it weighs 1 pound, 12 ounces, is compatible with 62mm filters, and protrudes a full 5.4 inches from the lens mount when fully retracted. The lens ships with a reversible petal hood which helps to reduce flare and increase image contrast.

The lens tested well in lab tests. I used Imatest to measure its sharpness, using the 24-megapixel Sony Alpha a65 as the test camera. Due to space limitations in our lab, I was only able to test the lens at 70mm and 135mm, but it performed admirably at both focal lengths—well exceeding the score of 1,800 lines per picture height that denotes a sharp image. At 70mm f/4.5 it recorded 2,079 lines, a figure that increased to 2,152 lines by stopping the lens down to f/5.6. At 135mm it also did well, netting 2,040 lines at f/5.6 and 2,146 lines at f/8. The lens might not be the fastest telezoom in the world, but in good light or with a steady tripod it will serve you well.