Capturing images at wide angles while using Sony APS-C cameras has been difficult for some time due to a lack of good lens options; however, times have changed, and now you can get your hands on several fantastic wide-angle lenses that deliver good without breaking the bank.
The APS-C wide-angle lenses we’ve rounded up below are well made, small and light, have fantastic optics and are priced right. When paired with Sony APS-C cameras, these lenses allow you to create dynamic wide images that create a beautiful wide view of the scene you are trying to capture. Below, we’ll look at five wide-angle lenses that will make you smile every time you use them.
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D – Laowa makes wide angle lenses
You’re missing something if you’ve never used the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D. It’s a manual focus lens, but it should be at the top of the list of wide-angle lenses to buy for Sony’s APS-C cameras. The Zero-D (rectilinear) nature of this lens means that distortion is incredibly well controlled. Plus, a 13.5mm equivalent focal length makes it ideal for landscapes and architectural work.
The fast maximum aperture also lends itself well to low-light conditions. The smooth manual focus ring is a joy to use, and the weather sealing means you can use it even in bad weather. With a minimum focusing distance of 4.7 inches, you can get closer to your subjects. You can create amazing photos with this lens, which costs less than $500.
Sony 11mm f/1.8 — Small, light, sharp and easy to carry
The Sony 11mm f/1.8 is one of the latest children of the wide-angle lens block for Sony APS-C cameras. I had a lot of fun with this lens during our test period, thanks to its 16.5mm equivalent focal range. In terms of performance, the lens focuses incredibly quickly and renders sharp images with very pleasing colors.
The Sony 11mm f/1.8 is very small and light, so it pairs perfectly with Sony APS-C cameras. Thanks to its footprint, you can walk around and use this lens for hours without ever getting tired. Plus, the Sony 11mm f/1.8 is well-designed, offers some waterproofing, and can be yours for less than $550. You can read our full review here.
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary – One of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras
The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is an exceptional wide-angle lens at an excellent price. This fast lens will have a 24mm equivalent focal length on Sony APS-C cameras, making it perfect for many genres of photography. Street portraits, documentaries, environmental portraits, landscapes, kitchens and more will be easier than ever.
The maximum aperture of f/1.4 will not only allow you to achieve a very shallow depth of field but also to shoot in low light situations. The excellent optics will help you create sharp images, even at wide apertures, and a bezel seal offers a little protection from the elements. The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is one of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras. It can be yours for less than $400!
Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 — Massive versatility, low price
With a 16.5-30mm equivalent focal length range, this lens lends itself well to landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, automotive photography and more. This is easily one of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras, thanks to its versatility and excellent optics.
The ample amounts of waterproofing in this lens will allow you to take pictures when Mother Nature isn’t playing well. The optics will let you create sharp, nearly distortion-free images, and the fast aperture is excellent for low-light photography. Autofocus performance will also rock your world. This lens is a must-have for Sony APS-C cameras and those who like to capture more of the scenes around them. Check out our full review.
Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ G — An excellent wide-angle zoom for Sony APS-C cameras
Although it’s a wide-to-standard zoom, the 15mm equivalent focal length on the wide end of things is fantastic, and deserves a spot on our list. This lens is tiny, but the performance is huge!
Sony has done a great job with the optics of this lens. Distortion is well controlled. Ghosting, flare, and chromatic aberrations are nothing to worry about. The lens is sharp and renders the colors very pleasing. The lens also features weather sealing, motorized zoom for smooth zooming action, and a custom function button. At under $750, this lens is a godsend for photographers who want a wide-angle option for their Sony APS-C cameras. You can read more about the lens and see plenty of sample images in our full review.
Capturing images at wide angles while using Sony APS-C cameras has been difficult for some time due to a lack of good lens options; however, times have changed, and now you can get your hands on several fantastic wide-angle lenses that deliver good without breaking the bank.
The APS-C wide-angle lenses we’ve rounded up below are well made, small and light, have fantastic optics and are priced right. When paired with Sony APS-C cameras, these lenses allow you to create dynamic wide images that create a beautiful wide view of the scene you are trying to capture. Below, we’ll look at five wide-angle lenses that will make you smile every time you use them.
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D – Laowa makes wide angle lenses
You’re missing something if you’ve never used the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D. It’s a manual focus lens, but it should be at the top of the list of wide-angle lenses to buy for Sony’s APS-C cameras. The Zero-D (rectilinear) nature of this lens means that distortion is incredibly well controlled. Plus, a 13.5mm equivalent focal length makes it ideal for landscapes and architectural work.
The fast maximum aperture also lends itself well to low-light conditions. The smooth manual focus ring is a joy to use, and the weather sealing means you can use it even in bad weather. With a minimum focusing distance of 4.7 inches, you can get closer to your subjects. You can create amazing photos with this lens, which costs less than $500.
Sony 11mm f/1.8 — Small, light, sharp and easy to carry
The Sony 11mm f/1.8 is one of the latest children of the wide-angle lens block for Sony APS-C cameras. I had a lot of fun with this lens during our test period, thanks to its 16.5mm equivalent focal range. In terms of performance, the lens focuses incredibly quickly and renders sharp images with very pleasing colors.
The Sony 11mm f/1.8 is very small and light, so it pairs perfectly with Sony APS-C cameras. Thanks to its footprint, you can walk around and use this lens for hours without ever getting tired. Plus, the Sony 11mm f/1.8 is well-designed, offers some waterproofing, and can be yours for less than $550. You can read our full review here.
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary – One of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras
The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is an exceptional wide-angle lens at an excellent price. This fast lens will have a 24mm equivalent focal length on Sony APS-C cameras, making it perfect for many genres of photography. Street portraits, documentaries, environmental portraits, landscapes, kitchens and more will be easier than ever.
The maximum aperture of f/1.4 will not only allow you to achieve a very shallow depth of field but also to shoot in low light situations. The excellent optics will help you create sharp images, even at wide apertures, and a bezel seal offers a little protection from the elements. The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 is one of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras. It can be yours for less than $400!
Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 — Massive versatility, low price
With a 16.5-30mm equivalent focal length range, this lens lends itself well to landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, automotive photography and more. This is easily one of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras, thanks to its versatility and excellent optics.
The ample amounts of waterproofing in this lens will allow you to take pictures when Mother Nature isn’t playing well. The optics will let you create sharp, nearly distortion-free images, and the fast aperture is excellent for low-light photography. Autofocus performance will also rock your world. This lens is a must-have for Sony APS-C cameras and those who like to capture more of the scenes around them. Check out our full review.
Sony 10-20mm f/4 PZ G — An excellent wide-angle zoom for Sony APS-C cameras
Although it’s a wide-to-standard zoom, the 15mm equivalent focal length on the wide end of things is fantastic, and deserves a spot on our list. This lens is tiny, but the performance is huge!
Sony has done a great job with the optics of this lens. Distortion is well controlled. Ghosting, flare, and chromatic aberrations are nothing to worry about. The lens is sharp and renders the colors very pleasing. The lens also features weather sealing, motorized zoom for smooth zooming action, and a custom function button. At under $750, this lens is a godsend for photographers who want a wide-angle option for their Sony APS-C cameras. You can read more about the lens and see plenty of sample images in our full review.