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With the best wide-angle lenses, photographers and videographers can get a different view of what they are shooting. A wide-angle lens is great for taking pictures of landscapes and buildings because it lets you fit more of the scene into the frame. Our list has all the best choices, so you can find the best wide angle lens for Canon cameras.
Every kit bag needs to have a good wide-angle lens. This article will list some of the wide-angle lenses that we think are the best. We’ll also talk about some tips and tricks for making the most of your wide-angle lens. To get such a big picture, you need a wide-angle lens. And zoom lenses are getting more and more popular these days.
Best Wide Angle Lens Comparison Table
| Lens Model | Maximum Focal Length | Minimum Operating Distance | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM | 24mm | 26cm | 96.4 x 135.1 mm | 1,150g | $1,399 |
| Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM | 35mm | 28cm | 88.5 x 126.8 mm | 840g | $2,299 |
| Nikon 24mm f/1.4G | 24mm | 25cm | 83 x 88.5 mm | 620g | $1,996.95 |
| Nikon 20mm f/1.8G | 20mm | 20cm | 82 x 80.5 mm | 355g | $799.95 |
| Canon EF-S F3.5-4.5 / 10-22 mm USM | 22mm | 24cm | 83.5 x 89.8 mm | 385g | $649 |
| Nikon AF-S F3.5-4.5 10-24 mm | 24mm | 24cm | 77 x 82 mm | 460g | $896.95 |
| Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L USM | 35mm | 28cm | 82 x 112 mm | 615g | $1,099 |
| Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM | 40mm | 28cm | 83.5 x 96.8 mm | 500g | $799 |
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM
| Parameter | value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 14-24mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum focus | 26cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.19x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 1.15kg |
| Filter diameter | None |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA |
The Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM, which is made by Canon and has a diagonal angle of view of 126 degrees, is the best wide-angle lens for Canon full-frame cameras. But the price is also very high, which puts it out of reach for most of us. This Sigma Art lens costs a lot less than half as much as the Canon.
It has a smaller maximum viewing angle of 114 degrees, but it’s a great lens and it’s a full f/stop faster than the Canon. The build quality is great, with a high-quality feel all over, a full set of weather seals, and a fluorine coating on the front element.
The Good
- A fast f/2.8 aperture wide-angle zoom lens.
- Offers high-quality images with little distortion.
- Has a weather seal, so you can use it to take pictures outside.
- Suitable for a number of camera mounts.
- Good construction.
The Bad
- It’s big and heavy.
- Image stabilization isn’t there.
- There is no filter thread.
Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
| Parameter | value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 15-35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum focus | 28cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.21x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 840g |
| Filter diameter | 82mm |
| Image stabilization | Yes |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Mount | Canon RF |
This is the wide-angle member of the “trinity” of zoom lenses with an aperture of f/2.8. It is made for full-frame mirrorless EOS R cameras. It’s big and heavy, which is what you’d expect from an ultra-wide lens with a fast f/2.8 aperture rating. However, it’s smaller and lighter than, say, the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens for Canon SLRs.
The RF lens is different from the Sigma in that it has a separate hood with an 82mm thread that makes it easy to attach filters or filter holders. Its maximum viewing angle is almost the same as Sigma’s at 110 degrees, and it has a 5-stop image stabilizer that is great for shooting handheld indoors or at dusk.
The Good
- It has a fast f/2.8 aperture, which makes it great for low light.
- With image stabilization, handheld shots will be clearer.
- Offers high-quality images with little distortion.
- Has a weather seal, so you can use it to take pictures outside.
- It works with the Canon RF mount.
The Bad
- Expensive.
- Compared to other lenses in its class, it is heavier.
Nikon 24mm f/1.4G
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 24mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Minimum focus | 25cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.179x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 620g |
| Filter diameter | 77mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Mount | Nikon F |
The Nikon 24mm f/1.4G works fine on a Nikon DX (crop sensor) camera, where its focal length is about 36mm. If you have a consumer-level Nikon DX camera and want to upgrade to a full frame body in the future, the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G could be a good investment. But the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G really shines when used with a full frame Nikon body.
It’s bright, clear, and has a lot of contrast from edge to edge, no matter what aperture you use. When you combine the large aperture with the 24mm focal length, you can shoot hand-held at much slower shutter speeds than you may be used to. This means you can drop the ISO for a cleaner file.
The Good
- It has a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture, which is great for taking pictures in low light.
- Provides excellent image quality.
- Has a weather seal so it can be used to shoot in tough conditions.
- Works with the Nikon F mount.
The Bad
- Expensive.
- Heavy compared to some other lenses in the same category.
Nikon 20mm f/1.8G
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 20mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 |
| Minimum focus | 20cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.23x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 355g |
| Filter diameter | 77mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Mount | Nikon F |
The Nikon 20mm f/1.8G is currently Nikon’s sharpest fixed ultra-wide angle lens, so it deserves to be in the best wide angle lens for Nikon lineup. The Nikon 20mm f/1.8G is almost half the weight of the Nikon 24mm f/1.4G and costs more than half as much.
It also does a great job. Even though you’ll probably shoot a lot with this lens wide open, it’s when you stop down to smaller apertures that you can really see how sharp the Nikon 20mm f/1.8G is. As a bonus, when you use a smaller aperture, you can get some beautiful sun stars in your picture, which is not something you can do with most modern Nikon lenses.
The Good
- It has a fast f/1.8 aperture, which is great for situations with little light.
- Design that is small and light.
- Provides excellent image quality.
- Price is not too high.
The Bad
- Lacks weatherproofing.
- When there isn’t a lot of light, autofocus can be slow.
Canon EF-S F3.5-4.5 / 10-22 mm USM
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 10-22mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-4.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22-29 |
| Minimum focus | 24cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.17x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 385g |
| Filter diameter | 77mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Mount | Canon EF-S |
The year 2005 is when this super-wide-angle zoom lens was made. It fits well on an APS-C reflex camera (like an EOS 60D) and works well. The lens is delivered without a lens hood, but Canon does include a manual on CD in addition to the lens caps. The system has three lenses that are shaped like spheres and one lens made of expensive SUD glass.
This helps get rid of the color difference. The sharpness is very high on the wide-angle side but decreases in the direction of 22mm. But this quality is very good all the way to the edges. In the blur we sometimes see, for example between branches, that the blur forms a hexagon – that should be improved.
The Good
- provides a wide range of focal lengths.
- The design is light and small.
- Price is reasonable.
- Offers images with good quality.
The Bad
- It’s not sealed against the weather.
- The maximum aperture can be changed, which can be a problem in low-light situations.
Nikon AF-S F3.5-4.5 10-24 mm
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 10-24mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.5-4.5 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22-29 |
| Minimum focus | 24cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.2x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 460g |
| Filter diameter | 77mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Mount | Nikon F |
This wide-angle zoom for APS-C cameras comes with a lens cap, a lens hood, and a soft bag. The Nikon D7000, which was used as a test camera, fit well with the sizes. Around the bayonet, the lens has a rubber ring that seals it. The focus window also keeps dust and moisture out, which is something that professional Nikkors do as well.
When the M/A switch is on autofocus, you can switch to autofocus. This wide-angle zoom is nice and sharp. A brilliant display is made possible by two ED glass lenses and three aspherical lenses. At 10mm, there is one and a half stops of vignetting when the lens is open all the way. Some of the contrast is lost, but the corners still have good detail.
The Good
- provides a wide range of focal lengths.
- Image quality is good.
- Autofocus works quickly and accurately.
- Price is reasonable.
The Bad
- It’s not sealed against the weather.
- The maximum aperture can be changed, which can be a problem in low-light situations.
Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L USM
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 16-35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum focus | 28cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.23x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 615g |
| Filter diameter | 77mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Mount | Canon EF |
The landscapes are big, the rooms are big, and everything is very clear. That’s why the Canon EF 16-36mm f/4L is so great. Even better, it has image stabilization, which is less common in an ultra-wide zoom. It makes it easier to take pictures in low light, and you won’t always need a tripod. Photographers used to prefer 35mm lenses as an alternative standard lens.
It gives just a little more width. People liked 24mm because it gave a true wide-angle view. With this Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens, you get both of those focal lengths plus a super-wide 16mm. You’re in for a treat if you’ve never used an ultra-wide lens before. A GoPro is about 16.5mm, which is the same as a full frame.
The Good
- Good picture quality with little blurring.
- Has a weather seal so it can be used to shoot in tough conditions.
- Autofocus works quickly and accurately.
- Offers a wide range of focal lengths that can be used for landscape, architecture, and portrait photography.
The Bad
- If there isn’t enough light, the maximum aperture of f/4 might not be enough.
- Compared to other lenses like it, this one is heavier.
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 17-40mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/4 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum focus | 28cm |
| Maximum magnify | 0.24x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Weight | 475g |
| Filter diameter | 77mm |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Mount | Canon EF |
The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is another wide-angle zoom lens that can be used in many ways. It has a good range of focal lengths. Even at the ends of the scale, you won’t see much distortion. And photographers who are careful with their money will like the price. You lose 1mm of wide-angle, but gain 5mm at the other end.
For the same price as the 16-35mm f/4L, you could almost buy two of these. In other words, this lens is a great deal. It’s about as sharp as either of the Canon 16-35mm lenses. With a maximum of 40mm, it brings you closer to the subject. Even though this lens is significantly cheaper than the last two, it still costs a lot.
The Good
- Good picture quality with little blurring.
- Has a weather seal so it can be used to shoot in tough conditions.
- Autofocus works quickly and accurately.
- Compared to other similar lenses, this one is lighter.
- Price is reasonable.
The Bad
- If there isn’t enough light, the maximum aperture of f/4 might not be enough.
- Compared to other wide-angle lenses, it has a smaller focal range.
FAQs
Which lens is best for wide-angle?
Most of the time, focal lengths from 24mm to 35mm are called “standard.” This is a great range for wide shots that don’t get too distorted.
What are wide angle lenses good for?
The wide-angle lens distorts the way things look, which works best when taking pictures of things with a lot of straight lines (like a building). Pictures of cities. Most cityscapes are taken with wide-angle lenses because they can easily capture a large crowd or a busy city street.
Is it worth buying a wide-angle lens?
If you want the whole scene to be in focus, you need a wide-angle lens with a deep depth of field. On the other hand, a telephoto lens makes it easier to make a shallow depth of field and blur the background. This is because the depth of field gets smaller as the focal length gets longer.
Which lens is wider 35 or 50?
The field of view of a 50mm prime lens is just under 40 degrees, but the field of view of a 35mm prime lens is 54.4 degrees, which is much wider.