Best telephoto lens for the nikon d5300?

For the D5300, I'd choose by reach versus light. It's an APS-C body, so a 300mm lens frames like 450mm on full frame. The body has no stabilisation, so pick a lens with its own VR or OS.

• Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II: my pick for low light, portraits and indoor sport, since f/2.8 lets in far more light than the longer zooms.
• Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR: my pick for birds and wildlife, reaching like 750mm on full frame.
• Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports: the most reach of these, like 900mm, if you want to shoot distant subjects on a budget.

If you shoot wildlife or sport, the wildlife and sport guide explains how to choose between them.

Written by Claude from this site's pages.