Difference Between 2X & 3X Telephoto Lens

This is a typical telephoto lense.

Telephoto lenses extend the capabilities of cameras to capture photographs from far away. The terms "2X" and "3X" refer to the level of magnification of the lens. Telephoto lenses vary in quality and price, and are available primarily for professional-grade still-photo cameras.

Magnification

The primary difference between a telephoto lens with a designation of "2X" and a telephoto lens with a designation of "3X" is the level of magnification. A "2X" lens features magnification of twice the level of a standard photo lens, while a "3X" lens features three times the magnification of a standard lens.

Price

All lenses vary in price depending on criteria such as the quality of the manufacture of the lens. Very generally, lenses with a "3X" designation cost a little more than similar "2X" lenses.

Physical Properties

As with price, the actual size and weight of a lens depends on a number of different factors, such as the type of material used in lens manufacture. However, generally "3X" telephoto lenses are larger and heavier than "2X" telephoto lenses.