Best Canon Wide Angle Lens

Best Canon Wide Angle Lens

Looking for the best Canon wide angle lens for shooting big and small compositions in cramped places? Look through these 10 inexpensive and good Canon wide angle lenses that you may use for achieving a more realistic, true-to-life shot.

best canon wide angle lens

What Is the Best Canon Wide Angle Lens?

best canon wide angle lens

If the focal length of your regular zoom lens isn’t enough, buy a wide angle lens. Any digital camera lens with a focal length of less than 35mm is called wide angle. It’s a perfect choice for taking landscapes. Aside from nature or street photography, you may use these lenses for architecture, interiors, car and real estate photography. Check out these 10 best Canon wide angle lenses for any budget.

Best Canon Wide Angle Lenses in 2024:

1. Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM

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Pros+
  • Moisture and dust resistance
  • Without distortions
  • For professionals
  • Very precise UD and aspherical elements
Cons-
  • Haven’t been found
 

This Canon EF 14 mm f/2.8 L USM is the first version of the ultra-wide lens with corrected distortion for Canon EOS film and digital cameras. As for now, it is the widest angle for Canon EF lens mount. The 2.8-lens speed model simplifies the shooting in low-light without using a tripod or flash.

This Canon wide angle lens is characterized by decent sharpness at f/2.8 aperture. With f/4 aperture, the results turn out very sharp. It may be used for photographing landscapes and interiors, as well as for reportage photography, particularly in poor light.


2. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM

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Pros+
  • Dust- and moisture-proof design
  • Low level of distortion
  • High sharpness
Cons-
  • Very expensive
  • Large weight and size
  • Vignetting at the open aperture
 

It is very heavy, but this is a reasonable payment for the ability to use the maximum viewing angle at a focal 11 mm. It draws almost perfect regular rectangles without traces of "cushion" or "barrel".

Sharpness in the center of the frame is remarkable, and it is decent at the edges. Color reproduction is nice.


3. ROKINON 14mm f/ 2.8 IF ED UMC

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Pros+
  • Ideal for astrophotography
  • Ultra Multi-Coating
  • Cheap
Cons-
  • No auto functions, only manual ones
  • Unable to zoom
 

It is one of the best wide angle lenses for Canon due to a number of reasons. Firstly, it produces a very nice picture and gives a consistently good result. Viewing images on the big screen after shooting turns into meditative contemplation.

Secondly, the model is distinguished by sharpness starting at 2.8, sturdy construction and convex lens perfectly protected by the lens hood. With this ultra wide angle lens Canon, the shadows don’t fall through, the colors aren’t overexposed. The focus ring moves quite smoothly.

I enjoy its performance in landscape and interior photography. You can make use of the lens even when photographing people.


4. Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM

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Pros+
  • Instant focusing
  • Very low chromatic aberrations
  • Highest sharpness over the entire FR range
  • Convenient operation
  • High flare resistance
Cons-
  • Lacks an image stabilizer
  • Too expensive
 

The lens has set new standards for ultra-wide-angle aperture zooms. It demonstrates a high sharpness already at open aperture and the highest sharpness throughout the whole field of a frame at f/4.0.

Flare resistance of this Canon ultra wide angle lens is very high as well. You shouldn’t be afraid of strong artificial lighting sources or sunlight hitting the frame. Autofocus has become even faster and more accurate.

A nine-blade aperture of this Canon wide angle lens with a rounded hole lets you achieve a beautiful bokeh even with a minimum focal length. The model is very convenient and improved dust and moisture protection allow you not to worry when shooting even in bad weather.


5. ZEISS Distagon T 15mm ƒ/2.8

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Pros+
  • Amazing design
  • Almost no chromatic aberrations
  • The precise and smooth focus ring
Cons-
  • Only manual focusing
  • Extensive vignetting at wide apertures
 

Choose this lens if you prefer recording videos at a wide angle. It works well in low light and keep colors bright and clear. This focal length is perfect for real estate photography and video also as it shows a lot of the room and has minimal distortion.


6.  Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX

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Pros+
  • Perfect for shooting starry sky
  • Lens hood included
  • Excellent sharpness in the center and along the edges
Cons-
  • Not big focal distance range
  • Inconvenient ring switch between auto and manual focus
 

Tokina 11-16mm was a pioneer among ultra wide angle lenses for APS-C format DSLRs. This lens is famous for its ‘one-touch focus clutch’. It means that you will be able to switch between manual focus and autofocus in a second just pressing a focus ring.

Beware of the autofocus motor being rather noisy. However, the picture quality of this Canon ultra wide angle lens is nice, with great sharpness even at f/2.8 and well-controlled distortions.


7. Zeiss Apo Distagon T Otus 28mm f/1.4 ZE

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Pros+
  • Nice image quality
  • Created for cameras with high resolution
  • High lens speed
Cons-
  • High price
  • Weight and size
 

Sharpness in the center and along the edges is quite high. Even at f/1.4, Otus is better than most models from my list. You will be able to get maximum sharpness if you cover aperture to f/2.8. A lack of chromatic aberrations should be also taken into consideration.

As any other high-aperture lens, the ZEISS Otus 1.4/28 suffers from visible vignetting that is present at f/1.4–4. But don't get upset as it can be improved in just a few clicks in Lightroom.


8. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

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Pros+
  • The best price/quality ratio
  • Image stabilizer
  • Compact design
  • Excellent sharpness at open aperture
Cons-
  • Strong vignetting at the wide-angle position
  • Small geometric distortion at wide angle
 

This is an ergonomic Canon ultra wide lens. It can be easily used not just for taking photos but for video recording as well. It is possible due to a new STM autofocus motor, which provides smooth and noiseless operation.

Many photographers choose exactly this model because of compact design, built-in image stabilizer, light weight and attractive price.


9. Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

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Pros+
  • Fast, quiet and accurate autofocus
  • Good image quality along the frame edge
  • Slight distortion at large focal lengths
Cons-
  • Too large filter diameter
  • Big vignetting
  • Rather large distortion at a short focal length
 

Let’s start with the build. Its quality is great so you will definitely like holding it in the hands. Additionally, rings work smoothly. This wide angle lens for Canon is very sharp throughout the frame and also in the corners.

The model boasts of a good contrast and color rendering. The angle is very wide and assists in taking nice photos even in backlight. This Canon wide angle lens will be a perfect choice for shooting landscapes and architecture as it outlines a foreground well.


10. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

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Pros+
  • Excellent color rendering
  • Sharpness is saved throughout the frame
  • Silent and fast autofocus
  • Not heavy
Cons-
  • Hardly noticeable geometric distortions
  • Not the highest lens speed
 

Despite a relatively low price, it has fast and noiseless ultrasound autofocus. An achieved image is sharp and detailed. Available geometric distortions can be improved in any photo editor in one click.

The Canon EF 17-40/4 L USM will help get contrasting and appealing pictures as the color rendering is at a high level. This lens works perfectly in bad light too.


Top 10 Best Canon Wide Angle Lenses

Image Name Features  
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
OUR CHOICE
  • No distortions
  • For professionals
  • Affordable
Check PRICE
ROKINON 14mm f/ 2.8 IF ED UMC
ROKINON 14mm f/ 2.8 IF ED UMC
BUDGET
  • Cheap
  • High sharpness
Check PRICE
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
PROFESSIONAL
  • Instant focusing
  • Convenient work
Check PRICE
ZEISS Distagon T 15mm ƒ/2.8
ZEISS Distagon T 15mm ƒ/2.8
  • Amazing design
  • For astrophotography
Check PRICE
Zeiss Apo Distagon T Otus 28mm f/1.4 ZE
Zeiss Apo Distagon T Otus 28mm f/1.4 ZE
  • High lens speed
  • Affordable
Check PRICE
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM
  • Moisture-proof design
  • High sharpness
Check PRICE
Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8
Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX
  • Smooth focus ring
Check PRICE
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
  • Image stabilizer
  • Compact design
Check PRICE
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM
  • Accurate autofocus
  • Good image quality
Check PRICE
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
  • Fast autofocus
  • Not heavy
Check PRICE

How to Choose the Best Wide Angle Canon Lens?

Are you eager to purchase Canon wide angle lens? Then take into consideration some important points to choose a nice gear from APS-C lenses from Canon, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina.

Width

There is a well-known rule: the wider the lens is the more surroundings, scenery and, of course, people will be in the frame. A 35mm lens is quite wide without producing a distorted feel. Choose a 11 or 16mm Canon wide angle lens if you want more space to work with as well as achieve a dramatic effect. Don’t forget to check what is happening in the outer edges of the shot while going wider.

Distortion

Mind that an ultra wide angle lens will produce some distortion on the outer edges. The focal length and the lens influence how visible it will be. Some lenses for astrophotography have a low level of distortion throughout the frame while others are visible only at the shortest end. Anyway, this unpleasant issue may be easily solved in any photo editing software like Lightroom or Photoshop.

The size of your sensor

Sensor size is an important parameter to consider if you are on the lookout for a truly wide angle lens. A lens that produces a really wide view on full frame cameras, can “behave” differently when attached to a crop sensor device.

For instance, a 35mm lens is perfectly wide for the cheapest full frame camera but it becomes a 56mm lens on a model with an APS-C sensor. Besides, you need to mind the compatibility rules, as some lenses are suitable for crops cameras only.


Ann Young

Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more

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