The primes have a tough act to follow, as weve been hugely impressed with the Tamron 17-28mm and 28-75mm constant-aperture f/2.8 zooms. The autofocus performance of the Rokinon 35mm f2.8 is good overall. As far as we can tell, the APS-C line-up at Sony is still quite limited even if we see a lot of people with this kind of body. The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is one of those lenses that make one grateful to be photographing at this time. If you are interested in a prime lens, please feel free to check out our complete guide to the best 24mm lenses for Sony. As I write this recommendation, I consider the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens to be my ultimate astrophotography lens. Finally, always with autofocus, Tokina also offers the Firin 20mm f/2 FE AF. Get the best camera deals, reviews, product advice, competitions, unmissable photography news and more! This lens has a remarkable quality (renowned as being better than the Sony 10-18mm), is much cheaper, but has neither autofocus nor stabilization. The Sony 28mm f2 is razor sharp, and is arguably sharper than the Zeiss 35mm f2; no small feat. So, I will talk about Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Rokinon/Samyang or Laowa Venus lenses, to name only the most famous ones. If youre the type of photographer who shoots wide, does documentary style work, and needs a reliable lens in their bag, this is one of the best options youve got if youre a Sony shooter.. In addition, the lens has a manual focus, a strong distortion, a strong vignetting and a significantly lower sharpness. The combination of a wide viewing angle and fast aperture rating further enhances the appeal to astrophotographers, but this lens is just as useful for everything from sweeping landscapes to architectural interiors. Lets have a look then at the best Sony wide angle lenses now. Some specific subjects requiring a wide-angle lens include landscape, real estate/architecture, and interior photography. Its a great performer and its under $500. Quality is clearly below the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, but the lens is still half the price, so it could be worth thinking about. Sony finally joined the fray with its own rather fabulous 20mm f/1.8 lens. If you are looking for a versatile wide-angle lens, this Sony 10-18mm remains a good choice. Its a pricey lens, but you get what you pay for. Sony make some really great, affordable lenses too and the 28mm f2 is one of them. As photographers we are really fortunate there are so many options on the market when it comes to lenses. The colors rendered are true to life and arent over saturated. You are in front of a landscape, and you want the whole scene to be sharp. Those photographing architecture, real estate, large products, or other subjects in a confined space, those photographing the great outdoors, including landscape and night sky photography, and those who simply want to get creative with ultra-wide-angles Extremely Wide-Angle Focal Length, Compact Size, Light Weight, Ultra-Wide Aperture, GM Professional Grade Build, Great Image Quality. Dont hesitate to read our review of this 20mm Sony lens! To get by, however, you can place ND filters at the back (rear filters). The edges are a little behind, but still very good. While this lens's focal length range is not as dramatic as the Sony equivalent, the cost is not as dramatic either. This article will not be about the A-mount since it is the one dedicated to Sony DSLR cameras, such as the 3000, the 77 II or the most recent 99 II, which is now discontinued by Sony. Finally, the Viltrox remains a very good alternative. The lens is well built and includes weather sealing. The focus ring is nice and smooth and feels great thanks to the large grip. Brett Day is the Gear Editor at The Phoblographer and has been a photographer for as long as he can remember. Secondly, the larger your maximum aperture is, the more you will be able to reduce the depth of field and so get nice background blurs. The previous 12mm f/2 from Samyang was manual-focus only, which doesn't really suit the vibe of the A6000 series, so it's good to see this new optic correcting that issue. Brett has his own photography business that focuses on corporate events and portraiture. Image quality in and around the center is just extraordinary. The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a very nice lens, but originally designed for DSLR cameras and then adapted to mirrorless cameras. It has the advantage of having an autofocus (compared to the Rokinon 12mm), but no stabilization. I very frequently encounter the need for focal lengths wider than those in my standard zoom lens and seldom go on a shoot without having the wide angles covered. You will have little interest in closing your diaphragm, except to find the most qualitative and sharpest aperture, which is often around f/5.6-f/8. The Zeiss remains in my opinion the best one, but at a very high price (more expensive than the Sony 20mm with AF and having a larger max aperture). In fact, we fully reviewed this lens. We leave the world of ultra-wide-angle lenses mentioned above to enter the wide-angle for APS-C sensors one. However, in other particular fields like street, night, indoor, astrophotography or landscape photography in low light conditions (without a tripod), having a large aperture will allow you to compensate for the lack of light in the scene. The brand offers a 24mm lens with a large aperture at f/1.8, an all-weather construction, and remarkable image quality, already at full aperture (f/1.8). Rokinon lenses have come a long way over the last few years and they now make some really great lenses that are very affordable. For example if youre shooting indoors and constrained by walls and other obstacles, a wide-angle lens can be a massive help. Your focal length is quite simply your field of vision when you place your eye in your viewfinder (for Sony mirorrless cameras, whenever you look through your EVF Electronic View Finder). When it comes to wide angle lenses the Sigma 16mm f1.4 is really hard to beat. Lets be clear: this is the lens with the lowest image quality of all the wide-angle zooms mentioned above. I wont repeat everything I wrote in my article on the best wide-angle lenses, but Ill summarize it for you in the little scroll-down below. Considering its size and weight, I wouldnt necessarily recommend the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, which offers a larger aperture, but is quite imposing. This lens really punches above its weight for an optic at this price, and is a tremendous addition to the kit-bag of any Sony APS-C user. Finally, expect a strong vignetting (3 stops) at full aperture (before RAW correction). For many this may be the type of lens that stays on their camera all the time due to its compact nature. The only hitch, if I can say so, is its very high price. Though Im sure that this crowd of photographers doesnt care much about bokeh, you should know that its there. There is an older Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS which is cheaper and lighter than this lens and has optical stabilization, but the maximum aperture is f/4, so the new Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is, we think, the best 'pro' lens for Sony APS-C cameras. But if you're going to go wide, it may as well be the widest of the bunch. Pilot captures mysterious red glow in clouds above the Atlantic: fishing vessel or the upside-down?! This Zeiss also offers a very good quality, reputed to be superior to the Sony 10-18mm, especially in the corners. Best Sony cameras (opens in new tab) What is the ultimate Sony FE (full-frame, E-mount) wide-angle lens? A large majority of Sony mirrorless cameras have an in-body internal stabilizer. As you'd expect, it isn't cheap, but it delivers a spectacular optical performance. The DDSSM autofocus system is incredibly accurate and the lens also features a customisable focus hold button on the barrel. Two mounts are available at Sony. However, you wont be able to add a screw-in filter, unlike the 11mm from Laowa. Their characteristics are summarized below. The nine aperture blades help create some smooth out of focus rendering thats really pleasing to the eye. However, autofocus could be better according to feedback (and myself!). Pro Tip:No matter what camera and lenses you use they are bound to get dirty. On the other hand, you get one stop faster compared to the Sony, which could be useful. However, it is still a worth-considering option as well! Ill talk about it below, but only the Voigtlander 21mm f/1.4 Nokton ASPH (with manual focus though) offers a similar large aperture. In my opinion, its a very good value for money. Its image quality is reputed to be very good at full aperture in the center, but quite average as soon as you look at borders and corners. As soon as you will focus more than 3m away from you, with your 15mm open at f/2.8, the whole scene will be sharp. The Rokinon features seven elements in six groups, and has seven aperture blades. Intuitive handling combines with impressive image quality: the Sigma delivered very good levels of sharpness in our real-world tests, right out to the corners of the frame even when shooting wide-open at f/2. Image quality is correct in the center, but seriously behind on the borders/corners. Youll be amazed at just how much more comfortable youll be. Conversely, there are also Sony lenses for full frame cameras (FE range). Following on the heels of Sonys FE 12-24mm f/4 G zoom, the new G Master edition delivers the same ultra-wide viewing angles but goes an f/stop wider in aperture. It really doesnt matter what lighting situations youll find yourself in; the Sigma 16mm f1.4 handle them with ease. For those who are looking for a landscape lens and use very often ND and GND filters, this will surely be a good reason not to consider it. aperture which can help you in low light conditions and can create quite nice bokeh although it is relative, because you rarely buy a wide-angle lens for the bokeh it can make. The latter is quite rare on an ultra-wideangle zoom lens, and very useful if you have one of Sony's un-stabilized A6000-series cameras. With f/2.8 available, this Sony lens is a great choice for photographing the night sky, along with low light events. There is some evidence of color fringing, but this can be fixed in two seconds in both Capture One and Lightroom. For those wondering, I recommend it much more than the Sony 16mm f/2.8, which is less good in every way (but costs a bit less). If we summarize, you have two ranges at Sony. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This Sigma is as expensive as the Sony 20mm f/1.8. Sony full frame wide angle lens (Zoom) Summary tableau, Sony wide angle prime lenses Summary table. It's not the smallest 35mm prime we've seen, but the handling really impressed, with a perfectly weighed de-clickable aperture ring, to the smooth and light focus ring. Tests show very good feedback on this 9mm, actually better (in image quality, chromatic aberration, coma, minimum focusing distance) than the Voigtlander 10mm f/5.6 ASPH (also with manual focus). Big disadvantage though, the Sigma does not accept classic screw-in filters and classic 100mm filter holders. The f/4 aperture may be penalizing for some shots as soon as the brightness dims, but the good ISO increase of the recent Sony bodies compensates. The Rokinon 20mm f1.8 is a manual focus, manual aperture control lens. They can be very useful indoors as well, when you dont have a lot of distance and want to shoot the whole scene in front of you. function e(e){var t=! Just a few short years ago it was hard to find budget lenses that really performed as well as first party glass. You will find there all the wide-angle lenses mentioned below (fixed and zoom). Note that Sigma has recently released the 24mm f/3.5 DG DN I C, a 24mm lens optimized for mirrorless cameras. Visit the Sony Lens Recommendations page for more recommendations. It delivers sumptuous image quality with fabulous sharpness and contrast, along with pleasant bokeh. In Today's B&H Deal Zone: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Card Type B Only $399.99 (Save $200.00), Pelican, Sachtler, GVM, Angler, More! However, you have the possibility to place ND rear filters at the back of the lens. Sharpness is superior in every way to the other wide-angle lenses discussed below. In this guide we've included FE-mount full frame lenses lenses, followed by a specific section for E-mount lenses designed specifically for Sony APS-C cameras. As usual, this Samyang lens is also available under Rokinon branding in North America, as the Rokinon 24mm F2.8 AF Sony E. While the Sony Distagon T FE 35mm f/1.4 has been around for a while now, Sony's now got another fast 35mm prime in the shape of the FE 35mm f/1.4 G Master: a premium option that sits above the older optic. published 6 May 22, These are the best Sony wide-angle lenses, for full-frame A1, A7 and A9 bodies, plus E-mount APS-C A6000-series cameras. Even if you can take pictures with relatively short depths of field, this is not really the primary purpose of these lenses. They are generally lighter and cheaper than those for the FE range, which are dedicated lenses for full-frame cameras. However, Sony only offers few wide-angle lenses for APS-C format and you may consider switching to wide-angle lenses for full frame. The build quality is exemplary, worthy of the GM range, while keeping dimensions and weight relatively well contained given the characteristics of the lens (especially compared to its only real competitor, the Sigma DG HSM Art, which weighs 1.12Kg). Theres a reason why I bought it and tested it! Required fields are marked *. Nevertheless, its image quality is reputed to be good, and it costs half the price of the Sony 24mm! I couldnt dare to put it as an alternative, since this Rokinon 12mm is quite a common choice for people looking for a wide-angle lens for their Sony APS-C camera. Build quality is very good overall. Here is what I consider as the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C sensors: To compare these different lenses, you can have a look at the table below. As usual now, you will find a visual of the camera lens, a summary of its main characteristics and of course my personal appreciations. This 20mm offers very good image quality in the center, starting at full aperture (f/2.8). Feel free to tell me what you think of my selection, and if you have a lens amongst those, dont hesitate to leave a comment! Note that this lens is manually focused, has no tropicalization and does not transmit EXIF to the camera. But an aperture of f/2.8 coupled with the internal stabilization of Sony cameras will do very well, even in low light. Given that Sony's A6000-series APS-C cameras are built for speed, it makes sense to get a lens that can keep up with them. You will then choose one or the other according to your photographic practice, but also to what you want to shoot. However, its price is in my opinion quite high for a quality close to the Sony 10-18mm and considered as below the Rokinon 12mm (albeit with manual focus). Sure its not the creamiest youll ever see, but its certainly not distracting in any way. The 24mm focal length is very commonly used, and the image quality this lens creates is outstanding. If you have a tighter budget and are still looking for a quality lens, this Tamron would be the best wide-angle zoom for Sony FE. Vignetting is high, but it is the price of maintaining a compact lens, and the cameras defect corrections or the use of software will easily solve the problem. For the announced price (less than 500), this is a really interesting lens if you are looking for a quality 24mm wide-angle lens, but within an acceptable budget (the Sony 24mm GM, although better, costs 3 times more). The G range: equivalent of Gold, is an acronym reminding that the lens is in the top of the range from Sony (a white G on a black background). All of this makes it a perfect lens for passionate and wealthy amateurs and/or semi-pro/pro. If it is within your budget, you wont be disappointed. Youre certainly not getting a premium lens here, but the plastic body has a nice texture to it, and it will stand up to daily abuses. This lens is however stabilized, light (although heavier than the Tamron) and has a softer price than the 12-24mm f/2.8 and 16-35mm f/2.8 from Sony. It was a tough choice, but I finally decided to rank this Tamron 17-28mm as the second best wide-angle zoom lens. Owning a Sony wide-angle lens with a large aperture can help you in many ways. Best Sony (opens in new tab) Indeed, some lenses have a curved front lens and/or a lens hood that does not unscrew. f/1.4. The smaller the number f, the larger the aperture and conversely, the larger the number f, the smaller the aperture. We test lenses using both real world sample images and lab tests. This is one of the Rokinon lenses that may really help people see just how far the company has come in terms of build quality over the last few years. The sharpness of this lens is known as excellent, even at large aperture. Learn how your comment data is processed. One thing to bear in mind, however, is that a lens's focal length does depend on the camera you pair it with. The Rokinon 35mm f2.8 FE may be the cheapest lens on this list, but its high in quality and performance. Be prepared this winter and carry some with you. At Sony, the stabilization system is called OSS, for Optical Steady Shot. It is also important to note that there are a large number of very interesting alternatives (depending on your needs, desires and especially your budget). For outright quality, this is the best Sony lens for landscapes, interiors, travel and other subjects where space is tight. The 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a beautifully engineered lens designed to be used on APS-C Sony cameras like the A6300 and A6500. Ultra-wide Angle, Great Image Quality, Wide f/1.8 Aperture, Modest Price. Just as for 20mm lenses, there is a wide choice of 24mm lenses. Generally speaking, wide-angle lenses are often used for landscape or architecture photography. Nikon D7100 owners rejoice. Even at f/2.8, the edges are still really good. The Sony 28mm f2 has incredible image quality, and it goes to show that folks that tend to snub their noses at Sony lenses should give them another look. Autofocus was fast and snappy in most situations, but you will begin to notice some hunting in low light situations. A lovely lens, but it inevitably comes at a hefty price. To give you an example, lets say you shoot with a 15mm on a A7III type camera (full frame). The other mount, the one well talk about here, is the E mount, associated with mirrorless cameras, like the recent A6600 and the A7/A9 series. Best Sony flashguns (opens in new tab) Youll be really happy with the quality of images you can produce with this lens. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Regarding the possible alternatives for wide-angle zooms, I will mention only two of them. The 16mm f1.4 is also weather sealed which means you can shoot to your hearts content out in the elements. There isnt a whole lot to hate with theSigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary. The f/4 lens is still on sale and a lot cheaper, so don't rule it out. As with the other articles, this one is the result of extensive research and personal experiences. These lenses have an even longer focal length, beyond 85mm. Its all about excellence here. You might think youll be able to blur your backgrounds less with an aperture of f/2.8 (instead of f/1.8), but thats without considering the 1:2 magnification ratio of this Tamron, which allows you to get as close as 12cm to the subject. The Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens impresses with the image quality it delivers, the build and aesthetic qualities are excellent, and AF is fast and quiet. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! It can produce images that will please the masses for sure. The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM Lens is the ultra-wide-angle zoom lens you want. Once again, its all a matter of desire and preferences. However, if you keep a few weatherproof camera and lens covers in your camera bag, or on your person, youll be able to keep on shooting no matter what mother nature decides to do. This is the notion of hyperfocal that I have to explain one day on our blog. You may as well opt for the Tamron 17-28mm or the Zeiss 16-35mm f/4, which are both cheaper, of better quality and accept filters. I will therefore only mention Sony E-mount lenses, the one dedicated to the mirrorless format (and not the A-mount). The only downside is the lack of optical stabilization. Use a nicely padded, affordable camera sling instead of the camera strap that came packaged with your camera. Quality is not bad and still correct, but lower. Best memory cards (opens in new tab) Here is below the summary of the 6 lenses mentioned above. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. This unstabilized lens, released in July 2019, also offers superb image quality. From f/2.8, quality is not lacking on the whole image. But if you are into landscape, architecture, or other fields, this 14mm is the best in its category and its price shows it well. Some of these lenses are already in the article about mirrorless lenses, but Ill go a step further here by offering you a thought that, I hope, will allow you to choose your Sony wide angle lens the best one for you, according to your desires, budget and needs. Those photographing the night sky will also find the f/2.8 aperture advantageous. If you dont mind using filter holders and you need a zoom lens that can go down to 14mm with an f/2.8 aperture, this will be a much more affordable option (relatively speaking, as its price is already very high for many people) than the 12-24mm and 16-35mm f/2.8. If you want to stick with an autofocus lens, I basically think of three interesting alternatives. Here, were not playing in the same league than the Zeiss Batis 18mm. Sony A7R IV vs A7R III vs A7R II : what are the differences? Outstanding Image Quality, Exceptionally-Wide Angles of View, G Master Build. Images are super sharp when shot wide open at f1.8, bokeh rendered is very smooth and creamy, and there is little to no fringing or distortion thanks to the Ultra Multi-Coated Glass that makes up the elements. If youre a Sony shooter on the hunt for great quality wide angle lenses that wont scare your wallet but will produce excellent results, youre in luck.