Wide-angle lenses are a must-have if you’re interested in the following photography genres: architecture, landscape, cityscape, and environmental portraits.
You can also use a wide-angle lens to shoot group and street photos to some extent.
They’re one of the most versatile pieces of optical tools that a photographer can invest in; most do invest in at least one wide-angle lens throughout their entire career.
This discussion lists the ten best Nikon wide-angle lenses. We’ll summarize each of these lenses, check out their main features, and list a few of their cons along the way. Let’s get started.
I’ve listed DX and FX-Format lenses so choose the one that is best for your Nikon camera body type.
In a hurry? Here’s a quick rundown:
- ⭐ Best Overall Nikon Wide-Angle Lens
- 🌄 Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses for Landscape Photography
- 🏢 Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses for Architecture & Interior Photography
- 🌠 Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses for Astrophotography
- 🚗 Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses for Street Photography
- 💒 Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses for Wedding Photography
- 💸 Best Budget Nikon Wide-Angle Lens
How to Choose the Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lens?
Focal length: A wide angle lens typically has a focal length of less than 35mm. Look for a lens that offers a wide angle of view that suits your photography needs.
Aperture: A wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or f/4, allows for a faster shutter speed and better low-light performance.
Image stabilization or vibration reduction: This technology helps to reduce camera shake and blur in low-light situations.
Construction: Look for a lens with high-quality construction and durable materials. Some lenses are weather-sealed to protect against dust and moisture.
Autofocus: Look for a lens with fast and accurate autofocus, especially if you plan to use the lens for action or sports photography.
Compatibility: Make sure the lens is compatible with your camera body, especially if you have a full-frame or crop-sensor camera.
Brand: Look for a lens from a reputable brand, such as Nikon or Sigma, that offers a warranty and good customer service.
Table of Contents
10 Best Nikon Wide-Angle Lenses
1. Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 10–20 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S, Nikon F (DX), Pentax KAF3, Sigma SA Bayonet, Sony/Minolta Alpha DT
- Maximum aperture: F3.5
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 520 g (1.15 lb)
- Diameter: 87 mm (3.44″)
- Length: 88 mm (3.47″)
- Sealing: No
This lens is designed for the smaller APS-C format, and it’s available for a range of popular APS-C camera systems, including Nikon’s DX-format cameras. The effective focal length is 15 – 30mm on a DX-format camera, and the angle of view on such a camera is 109.7 -degrees when fully zoomed out.
The filter thread is pretty significant – 82mm for a crop camera lens. But what’s more impressive is that it does accept a filter when the front bulge isn’t too large to make a filter redundant.
This is a relatively less complex constriction consisting of 13 elements arranged in 10 groups and includes two Extra-Low Dispersion (ELD) elements plus one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) element that helps suppress chromatic aberrations.
On top of that, the lens also features four aspherical elements that ensure spherical aberrations are also suppressed. Super Multi-layer coating has also been used to ensure that the lens can work even in difficult lighting conditions.
My Pros With This Lens:
- One of the more cost-effective options on this list.
My Cons With This Lens:
- This isn’t one of the Sigma Art series lenses.
2. Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 10–24 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (4 stops)
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S, Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F3.5–22
- Minimum aperture: F4.5–29
- Weight: 440 g (0.97 lb)
- Diameter: 84 mm (3.29″)
- Length: 85 mm (3.33″)
- Sealing: Yes
This wide-angle lens is designed for the full-frame Nikon DSLR and is compatible with F-mount camera systems (both FX and DX). The lens offers a 35mm format equivalent focal length of 15-36mm on a DX-format camera.
But the one thing that you will find not so great is the maximum aperture. At 10mm, the maximum aperture is f/3.5. That drops to f/4.5 when the lens is zoomed in to 24mm. It’s ok if you’re shooting stills, but if you’re shooting movies, you’ve to be aware of the changing aperture.
Let’s talk about the construction of the lens. This 16-element lens consists of one XLD (extra-low dispersion) element and one LD (low dispersion) element. Together, these elements take care of chromatic aberrations of the lens or color fringing.
The lens can produce better sharpness and color accuracy thanks to these elements. On top of that, the lens has a molded glass aspherical element and a hybrid aspherical element. Together, these elements take care of another type of aberration – spherical.
Hard light is always the bane of wide-aperture wide-angle lenses; this is why different manufacturers use specialized coatings to minimize the effects of tricky lighting. Tamron uses a type of coating called BBAR (Broad-band Anti Reflection).
Autofocusing on the lens is powered by an HLD autofocusing motor with a full-time manual focusing override.
Plus, the lens gets image stabilization rated up to four stops.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Very large angle of view thanks to the wide-angle coverage.
My Cons With This Lens:
- The maximum aperture changes from f/3.5 to 4.5 when zoomed in.
- Difficult to find a brand-new piece.
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Prime lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 20 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F1.8
- Minimum aperture: F16
- Weight: 355 g (0.78 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.25″)
- Length: 81 mm (3.17″)
- Sealing: No
This prime lens has been designed for use with f-mount camera systems. This is a fixed-focus lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8.
The lens’s construction includes 13 elements arranged in 11 groups, including two extra-low dispersion glass elements that address the problems of color fringing. Additionally, two aspherical elements have also been used that address the issues of spherical aberrations. On top of that, Nano crystal coating has also been used which ensures that the lens can work with decent results even in hard lighting conditions.
Nikon’s Silent wave motor technology powers Autofocusing. Autofocusing performance is super smooth and quiet. The motor allows manual focusing override as well.
Performance-wise the lens is very sharp, even wide open at f/1.8. Another fantastic lens in the Nikon stable is the 28mm f/1.8G. Performance-wise the 20mm lens is better than the 28mm.
Stopping down the lens improves the overall sharpness. Being a prime lens, there are fewer optical elements inside the lens, and more focus has been paid to the lens’s optical quality.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Optically very sharp and has excellent performance across the aperture range.
- Full-time manual focusing override.
My Cons With This Lens:
- No image stabilization built-in.
4. Tokina ATX-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 11–16 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF-S, Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 555 g (1.22 lb)
- Diameter: 84 mm (3.31″)
- Length: 89 mm (3.51″)
Designed for the APS-C format camera system, this lens offers an effective focal length of 16.5mm to 24mm when mounted on a DX-format f-mount Nikon camera. Additionally, the lens features a multi-coated layer that ensures that the lens can counter hard lighting situations.
This 13-element construction includes two aspherical elements, one large-diameter molded element, and two SD low-dispersion elements that take care of spherical and chromatic aberrations.
Between the Tokina ATX-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF and the Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR that we have listed below, Tokina has a better performance across the focal length. At 20mm, the Nikon is noticeably softer; however, the Tokina is much better at 16mm.
Autofocusing is internal in the lens, so the barrel length does not change when the focus changes. In addition, the lens uses a one-touch focus clutch mechanism for switching between auto to manual focusing. This system takes a bit of time to get used to. Autofocusing is very reliable.
Overall performance is excellent.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Noticeably better performance than the 10-20mm Nikon listed below.
My Cons With This Lens:
- The one-touch focus clutch mechanism takes a while to get used to.
5. Nikon AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: APS-C / DX
- Focal length: 10–20 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (3.5 stops)
- Lens mount: Nikon F (DX)
- Maximum aperture: F4.5–5.6
- Minimum aperture: F29
- Weight: 230 g (0.51 lb)
- Diameter: 77 mm (3.03″)
- Length: 73 mm (2.87″)
- Sealing: No
Nikon’s versatile wide-angle lens is designed for the smaller APS-C camera sensor. It mounts on all DX-format cameras of Nikon in the last couple of decades. The lens’s 35mm effective focal length is 15-30mm, and you get an angle of view of 109 degrees to 70 degrees.
The construction of the lens includes 14 elements arranged in groups. The lens consists of three aspherical elements that suppress spherical aberrations. The lens’s front element has been treated with Super Integrated Coating. This coating ensures that the lens does not suffer from strong lighting effects. Lens flares and ghosting are suppressed, and contrast isn’t affected.
When it comes to performance, the lens is a good performance. Sharpness at f/4.5 at 10mm outperforms sharpness at 20mm. Stopping down the aperture to f/5.6 at 10mm improves sharpness. At 20mm, the lens is a bit soft at f/5.6. You’ve to stop-down on the lens several f/8 to get desired sharpness.
Autofocusing on the lens is powered by Nikon’s pulse stepping motor system, which is ideal for shooting videos but also works when shooting stills. It’s a very reliable autofocusing technology that’s quiet and accurate.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Inexpensive wide-angle lens for the DX-format camera system.
My Cons With This Lens:
- The maximum aperture range fluctuates between f/4.5 to f/5.6.
6. Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 DI VC USD G2
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 15–30 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Lens mount: Canon EF, Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Aperture ring: No
- Weight: 1110 g (2.45 lb)
- Diameter: 98 mm (3.86″)
- Length: 145 mm (5.71″)
- Sealing: Yes
This wide-angle G2 lens is a second-generation lens. Its 18 elements construction includes three LD (low dispersion) elements, two glass-molded aspherical elements, and one XGM (eXpanded Glass Molded Aspherical) element. The first element ensures color fringing is suppressed. The second and third elements ensure that the lens can counter spherical aberrations. Together, these elements increase the overall sharpness of the image.
A series of coatings have been applied to the elements. The first of them is the AX coating that has been applied to the surface of the convex lenses. The second is the eBand coatings, and the third is the BBAR coatings. Together, these elements ensure that the lens’ performance remains unaffected by the presence of hard lighting.
This G2 version has a 4.5-stops of image stabilization compensation. That means hand-held shots are much easier to do, even in low-light situations.
Tamron’s Ultra-sonic Drive autofocusing mechanism powers auto-focusing. The motor supports manual fine-tuning even when it’s engaged.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Better image stabilization than the previous G1 model.
- Better weather sealing.
My Cons With This Lens:
7. Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 14–24 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 970 g (2.14 lb)
- Diameter: 98 mm (3.86″)
- Length: 132 mm (5.18″)
This fantastic lens designed for the full-frame Nikon DSLR is a landscape photographer’s dream come true. But why limit yourself to landscape photography alone? This lens performs admirably in architectural photography as well.
The lens has minimal distortion and excellent optical sharpness, even on the edges. But to obtain that performance, you will have to stop down the lens to f/4 or even f/5.6 to get that super sharp corner sharpness.
The lens features a Nano Crystal coating to ensure that the lens can handle difficult lighting conditions like flares and ghosting better than lenses without this coating. The result is better contrast and color accuracy.
The rest of the construction includes three aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements, totaling 14 elements that suppress color fringing and other aberrations.
My Pros With This Lens:
- One of the sharpest lenses in the business for landscape photography.
My Cons With This Lens:
- The front end bulges in front, rendering it impossible to use a filter.
8. Nikon AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 16–35 mm
- Image stabilization: Yes (vibration reduction (VR II) up to 4 stops)
- Lens mount: Nikon F (FX)
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 685 g (1.51 lb)
- Diameter: 83 mm (3.25″)
- Length: 125 mm (4.92″)
- Sealing: Yes
The 16-35mm is a more practical choice for anyone who might feel that the 14-24mm (listed above) is a bit too over the top. The 16-35mm f/4 VR can use a filter (unlike the 14-24mm above) and has a large 77mm filter size.
The complex 17 elements construction includes three aspherical elements and two extra-low dispersion elements that take care of color fringing and other aberrations. Like many of the top lenses made by Nikon, this one also comes with a Nano crystal coating that helps it work flawlessly in difficult lighting conditions and counter flares and ghosting.
One of the most significant advantages of this lens is that it has a 2.5-stops of image shake correction. This is the first wide-angle lens in the world that has this feature and promises blur-free imaging even when hand-held.
My Pros With This Lens:
- The 16-35mm gets a 2.5-stop image stabilization system.
- Weather sealed.
My Cons With This Lens:
- Optically isn’t as sharp as the 14-24mm described above.
9. Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 14–24 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF, Nikon F (FX), Sigma SA Bayonet
- Maximum aperture: F2.8
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 1150 g (2.54 lb)
- Diameter: 96 mm (3.78″)
- Length: 135 mm (5.31″)
- Sealing: Yes
This third-party lens is designed for leading mounts, including the Nikon F-mount system. The lens’ construction includes 17 elements arranged in 11 groups and includes three Fluorite Low Dispersion elements, three Special low dispersion (SLD) elements, and three aspherical elements.
Together, these elements counter color fringing and a host of other aberrations. On top of that, the lens features Sigma’s patented Super Multi-layer Coating that suppresses flares and ghosting when working in difficult lighting situations.
We missed the image stabilization bit in this. But then, to be honest, the Nikkor 14-24mm also does not have image stabilization. You can’t use a filter with this lens, just like the Nikkor 14-24mm.
My Pros With This Lens:
- It’s cheaper than the comparable Nikkor 14-24mm.
- Good weatherproofing.
My Cons With This Lens:
- On the heavier side, weighing 1150 grams.
- Big bulging front element.
10. Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art
Lens Features:
- Lens type: Zoom lens
- Max Format size: 35mm FF
- Focal length: 12–24 mm
- Image stabilization: No
- Lens mount: Canon EF, Nikon F (FX), Sigma SA Bayonet
- Maximum aperture: F4
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Weight: 1150 g (2.54 lb)
- Diameter: 101 mm (3.98″)
- Length: 132 mm (5.2″)
- Sealing: Yes
12-24mm is a pretty wide focal length, and the Sigma 12-24mm offers an angle of view of 122 degrees when mounted on a full-frame camera and zoomed out all the way. This is one of the widest non-fish eye lenses that are available.
The 16-element construction includes one exceptional low dispersion, five F low dispersion elements, and three aspherical elements that take care of chromatic and spherical aberrations. On top of that, the lens also features Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating that suppresses ghosting and flares and improves the color accuracy and contrast of the images.
Along with it, the lens’ front element has been treated with a coating that ensures it can repel water and oil and remain smudge-free.
Autofocusing is powered by Sigma’s HSM motor that’s super smooth and quiet. This AF motor permits full-time manual focusing override for precise manual focusing control.
This lens is the third iteration of Sigma’s long line of 12-24mm, and this one is optically the best of the lot.
My Pros With This Lens:
- Superb optical construction with sharpness across the aperture range.
My Cons With This Lens:
- Does not have image stabilization built-in.
FAQ
How does image distortion affect wide-angle lenses?
Image distortion is a common issue in wide-angle lenses, and it can take several forms. One of the most common is barrel distortion, which causes straight lines to appear curved, with the center of the image appearing more stretched out than the edges.
How do aperture and focal length affect the image quality of a wide-angle lens?
Aperture and focal length can have a significant impact on the image quality of a wide-angle lens. Aperture, measured in f-stops, refers to the size of the lens opening that allows light to pass through to the camera sensor. A wider aperture, such as f/2.8, allows more light to enter the lens and can result in a shallower depth of field, creating a more pronounced bokeh effect.
What is the difference between FX and DX-format wide-angle lenses?
FX and DX-format wide-angle lenses are designed for use with different types of camera sensors. FX format lenses, also known as full-frame lenses, are designed for use with full-frame cameras, which have a sensor size that matches the 35mm film format. DX-format lenses, on the other hand, are designed for use with APS-C cameras, which have a smaller sensor size.
Conclusion
Wide-angle lenses are one of the most versatile in a camera bag. They can shoot everything from landscapes to portraits and even architecture. There are many excellent Wide Angle Lenses for Nikon cameras out there, but the best one for your needs depends on several important factors.
Before deciding on the final winner, be sure to check out their features, such as focal length, image quality, and speed.
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Nate Torres is a portrait photographer based in Southern California. Outside of photography, Nate specializes in SEO, content marketing, and entrepreneurship. He is also the founder of Imaginated.com, a platform for creator education.
