200mm vs 300mm Lenses: What Are The Differences?

There are countless options in the world of lenses, and no lens is versatile for all photography tasks. However, some lenses take their place in every photographer’s kit. And 200 and 300mm lenses, two telephoto lenses universal for various photographic works. 

These lenses have remarkable differences in every aspect, like focusing, aperture, depth, portability, usability, and price. This article will discuss all the distinguishable features and detail under 200mm vs 300mm lens sections. Also, will provide our justified testimony on which one you should buy.

In Which Brands 200mm and 300mm Lenses Are Available?

200mm and 300mm lenses are widely used lenses preferred by professional photographers. So, almost every famous brand makes those lenses, like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Leica, Zeiss, Sigma, etc. However, not all lenses are of the same quality. Also, there is a significant difference in the price of the lenses. 

Moreover, your camera body is a barrier when selecting the lenses. For example, if you have a Nikon camera body, you might require only the lenses built for Nikon, and that’s where you will face the complications. Subsequently, if you have a mirrorless camera body, you will need lenses specifically designed for mirrorless cameras.

Overview Of 200mm Telephoto Lens 

200mm universal telephoto lenses can capture a wide range of images. Mostly these lenses are available within 18-200mm, 55-200mm, and 70-200mm focal lengths. And the aperture range of these lenses is available starting from f/2.8G to higher. 

The low aperture of the lens allows superior control over the light. Besides, the 200mm lenses are lightweight compared to other telephoto lenses. Mostly the 200mm lenses weigh between 2500gr to 3000gr. Overall, the 200mm telephoto lens is a great universal lens for various kinds of photographic work, including wildlife, landscape, events, birding, etc.

Overview Of 300mm Telephoto Lens 

300mm lens is also a telephoto lens quite similar to the 200mm lens in performance. But in price, portability, and versatility, the 300mm telephoto lens is very much distinguishable. Most 300mm lenses are big and come in focal lengths above 70mm. 

Also, the aperture range of these lenses is higher, so it is harder to find one below f/4.5G. Furthermore, the 300mm lenses weigh more than 5000gr in all brands. So, on the whole, the 300mm lenses are telephoto lenses not made for versatile photo works but to do specific jobs like wildlife, landscapes, sports, etc.

200mm Vs. 300mm Lenses: Know The Differences!

After the brief overview of the lenses, it’s time to highlight the differences. As we have already discussed, these two lenses have similarities and dissimilarities. But the discrepancies are more. Which are:

Performance

The 200mm and 300mm lenses can capture clear long-distance objects and detailed landscape images. However, for long-distance shots, the 300mm lens has superior performance as they are dedicatedly built for those kinds of shots. But the 300mm doesn’t perform so well for close shots as they don’t come in shorter focal lengths. Seemingly most of the 300mm lenses’ focal length starts from 70mm. 

On the other hand, the 200mm lens is perfect for both long and short-distance shorts. In addition, the 200mm lenses are available starting from the focal length of 18mm and up to 200mm. So, these lenses are universal for a wide range of shots.

Portability

If we focus on portability, the 200mm lens is way smaller and more portable than the 300mm telephoto lens. Afterward, the 200mm lens weighs around 2-3kgs depending on the brand, when the 300mm lens weighs 5-6kgs. This happens because of the mirrors inside the lens. 

The 300mm lens has more mirrors for magnification inside, while the 300mm lenses have less than that. So as a matter of portability, the 200mm lens is more portable and easy to carry during tours.

Compatibility

Lens compatibility is a big matter for photographers as it is impossible to hold many camera bodies for different lenses. However, sometimes it is different, but the exception is not an example. And, when discussing the compatibility of the lenses, 200mm and 300mm, the 200mm lens is more compatible than the 300mm. This is because of the universality of the lenses. 

If we look at the focal length, aperture, and other essential features, the 200mm lens has more options that make it ideal for different tasks and a perfect fit for the photography kit. So, the manufacturers make those lenses vastly compatible. 

On the other hand, the 300mm lenses don’t come with so many options in features, and not everyone prefers the 300mm lenses. That is why the 300mm ones are not available with superior compatibility.

Versatility

A versatile lens means a lot of hassle reduction. If your lens is versatile for different photography jobs, you do not have to take the hassle of changing and carrying different lenses every time. Therefore, between the 200mm and 300mm lenses, the 200mm lean is more versatile for multiple types of photography, while the 300mm lens is only made for long shots.

Price

There is a big difference in the price of the 200mm and 300mm lenses. Though the 300mm lenses are bigger in size, the 200mm lenses are higher in price. Additionally, the 200mm lenses are available within the price range of $1300-$1800, while you can buy the 300mm lens within $450-$1000. The big difference between the prices is because of their versatility and usability.

Related: Nikon 80-400mm vs. Nikon 200-500mm

200mm Vs. 300mm Lenses: Which One Should You Buy?

As you have all the distinguishable considerations among the 200mm and 300mm telephoto lenses, it is time to take a buying decision. Likely, there are many differences between these two lenses that make buying decisions so easy. However, if you feel puzzled and new to the photography world, here’s our suggestion.

If you want to include a new lens to your photography kit and already do not have any, then you should go for the 200mm lens. This lens is versatile and suitable for almost every type of photography. But to get the 200mm lens, you must go a bit bigger in budget.

Therefore, if you already have different lenses for different types of shooting, then you can get the 300mm lens. These lenses also come within an affordable price range. Beforehand, you will get less versatility like the 200mm lens.

Conclusion

I would say that the 200mm lens is a great starter lens, and the 300mm lens is an excellent option for those shooting photos with a lot of depth of field. However, if you are looking for a lens that will give you the widest possible angle of view, the 300mm lens is your best bet. Either way, it’s essential to have several different lenses available to capture all the various aspects of photography.