Today we look at the best wide-angle lens for Canon and list what we believe are the go-to wide-angle lenses for use with Canon cameras.
When you get your first professional camera, either a DSLR or a mirrorless you’ll probably go with a Nikon or a Canon.
If you go with the latter, you’ll have a crazy amount of lenses to choose from. That is after all the reason you buy a professional camera, the interchangeable lens feature.
An Introduction to Wide Angle Lenses
One of the main lens types you’ll need in your arsenal is a wide-angle lens. As their name suggests, wide-angle lenses are ideal for shooting images of scenery, vistas, and large groups. They are also ideal for taking pictures in tight spaces.
This is because a wide-angle captures as much of the environment as physically possible. One of the lens’s quirks is the distortion which can get the subject of your image lost.
Therefore, we recommend you get as close as you can to the subject when using these lenses.
The focal length of a wide-angle lens is 35mm or less. This makes the field view wider than with any other lens. This can be put to use in several situations.
Wide-angle lenses are commonly used in landscape photography. This is because the lens can capture the whole view in one frame.
People who capture architecture are also fond of these lenses. Since the lens can capture about 64 degrees in an image, it is very useful in this situation.
While these are the most popular uses, they aren’t what these lenses are exclusively built for. The large depth of field and the distortion effect of the wide-angle can be put into creative use at any time and lead to visually stimulating results.
As you get deeper and deeper into your photography or videography journey you’ll learn that lenses are very important. After you’ve chosen your camera, you’ll begin asking questions about lenses and may ask: what is the best wide-angle lens for Canon?
A camera, no matter how good it is, can’t always give what you want just by itself. In fact, I’d say that lenses are more important than the camera you attach them to.
So, in this guide, I’m going to list a number of the best wide-angle lenses for Canon users. I’ll also talk about the things to look for when buying one of these fantastic lenses and what to avoid.
Now, let’s get to it. These are the best wide-angle lenses for Canon.
Best Wide Angle Lens For Canon – The Lenses
Let’s start this list off with the awesome Tamron 10-24mm.
1. Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
This bad boy can be mounted on any canon EF-S ring. Tamron has been doing great at creating lenses for Canon.
While their original 10-24mm wide-angle zoom was a perfectly fine lens, it’s this one that I’m recommending. Tameron revamped and tweaked their new release, making it an absolute triumph.
This one comes with a brand new high and low autofocus system. It also features a neat visual compensation stabilizer.
The autofocus is quiet, fast and most importantly accurate. You can connect it through a USB to your computer and fine-tune it through Tamron’s TAP-in Console.
Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD has a nice solid feel to it. You could tell that Tamron put some thought and care into its build. It’s sealed for weather resistance and even has a fluorine coat to keep the front clean.
In terms of performance, the lens keeps the image sharp across the board. This is fantastic since some lenses of this kind tend to have some blur on the edges. The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD retails for a very reasonable price and it’s as solid as you can get.
2. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens
Canon has been making some of the best wide-angle lenses for their cameras. Makes sense, right? Who can make the best accessories for a brand other than the brand makers themselves?
While Canon has released some stellar wide-angle lenses, my favorite has to be the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM Lens.
Canon made the world’s widest angle lens at a staggering 11mm. The closest any other lens comes to this is just 15mm. Despite the width of the frame, the lens maintains an unmatched level of sharpness.
This is amazing because even the most advanced lenses tend to go blurry or at the very least soft on the edges of the frame. You won’t have stabilization, however.
When it comes to building quality, Canon did well even if I wouldn’t say remarkable. The lens feels solid enough thanks to polycarbonate construction.
It covers the entire body of the lens which feels nice and keeps the quality of it consistent. Overall, I’d say Canon did a good enough job. Even if it’s a little on the heavy side.
Finally, we have the price tag. This might be the biggest turn off for potential buyers. Canon priced the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM at a reasonable amount. This one is quite the investment but I think it’s worth it for the sweet width it offers.
3. Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 I
If you’re intimidated by the price tag of the previous item on this list, I don’t blame you.
On the bright side, and there’s always a bright side when it comes to photography equipment, Canon has a much cheaper offering for those who just want a wide-angle lens without digging a hole in their pockets.
In terms of quality, the lens will still give you sharp results. However, some performance downgrade is to be expected. But not as much as you’d expect.
There’s only some slight distortion at the edge of the frame on 10mm and 16mm. But not so much that it ruins the image or anything. You get image stabilization with this one, which is both wonderful and surprising. Canon doesn’t usually include it in their lenses.
I hope that the fact that this camera doesn’t have the same level of build as a more expensive lens won’t come as a surprise for you. Corners had to be cut to make this one affordable.
It seems the biggest was in the material of construction. Canon opted to use plastic as opposed to metal. However, if you take good care of your lens (which goes for even the expensive ones) you shouldn’t have much to worry about.
Now the best part, the price. You can get the Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS a non-bank busting amount. So if you want a cheap, competent wide-angle lens for daylight photography, this is the one for you.
This EF-S mount compatible lens has a focal length between 10 to 18mm which makes the angle ultra-wide.
Thankfully, this time Canon blessed us with image stabilization and it works perfectly. It helps reduce shakiness in both footage and images.
The ultra-wide lens offers great image quality. The sharpness of the image is some of the best we’ve seen on a Canon wide-angle lens.
The build quality is great as is usual for Canon. It’s thankfully lightweight as well which makes carrying it around easier.
Thanks to its light and durable build, great image quality, and the addition of image stabilization this is as good of an ultra-wide lens option as you can get.
BEST WIDE ANGLE LENS FOR CANON
What Are Wide Angle Lenses?
Wide angle lenses are an essential tool in any photographer’s arsenal. They allow for the most detail to be captured and can produce breathtaking shots that you cannot achieve with a standard lens.
They are perfect for capturing sweeping landscapes, large groups of people, or even a single person in a vast space.
Wide angle lenses allow you to take photos or video that seems more immersive and give your viewers a chance to see things they might not have noticed before.
What makes them so different is their ability to capture the scene in front of you from a wider perspective, giving your images an amazing sense of depth and realism.
So if you’re looking for more coverage, or want to make it look like your subject is larger than life, then wide-angle lenses may be what you’re after!
4. Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART
Now, if what you really care about is pure performance you might wanna consider this one. The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART is a truly standout lens. It’s clear Sigma made this one with some serious competition in mind because what you get here is truly wonderful performance and great durability.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART performs excellently for the most part. You will be getting a sharp image all the way from the humble 24mm all the way to 12mm.
However, the wider the angle gets, some marginal softness is to be expected. Though I think it’s far less apparent here than on other lenses.
Sigma lenses are known for their great build quality. The Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART is no exception.
The lens is really solid and feels like it could withstand damage. Just don’t try to drop it on the floor to test how strong it is. Overall, it is a rugged lens that feels like it’s worth its price tag.
Speaking of price tags, the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART retails now for a middle-of-the-road price. If you ask me, I’d say it’s worth its price.
If you want a lens with great build quality, solid performance that offers great value for its price you won’t get much better than this.
5. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens
Canon’s 17-40 f/4 is much favored by photographers or videographers looking into getting a wide-angle lens. The entire L series of Canon lenses is known for its high quality. The 17-40 f/4 lives up to the standards set by its predecessors and as a bonus, it lowers the price.
The focal range of 17-40mm offers plenty of flexibility for photographers, perhaps more than any other lens on our list.
Additionally, it is compatible with both APS-C and full-frame sensors and will get admirable results out of both.
Are there any drawbacks to 17-40 f/4? For one, there’s no image stabilization which is a bit of a bummer.
For another, While, the lens lives up to other L series lenses in quality of build, it doesn’t do so well when it comes to sharpness at the edges of the frames.
Overall, for its versatility and image quality, the sins of the 17-40 f/4 can be forgiven. It’s a very popular wide-angle lens and it’s easy to see why. The fact that it’s affordable has something to do with it, too.
BEST WIDE ANGLE LENS FOR CANON
Advantages of Using Wide Angle Lenses
• Get an expansive and immersive view of your surroundings.
• Capture more in a single shot.
• Take breathtaking photos and videos with a 120° field of view.
• Capture breathtaking wide-angle shots that your human eye can’t see.
• Great for creating establishing shots and master shots in your films.
6. Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
This lens is called a pancake for its incredibly compact body. It’s compatible with all Canon 3F-M mount-equipped cameras. The 22mm f/2 is perfect for APS-C sensors since the focal length of 22mm compensates for the sensor’s crop factor.
What this means is that you’ll get a 63-degree angle just like if you mount a 35mm lens on a full-frame camera. This makes the lens suitable for outdoor photography.
This Incredibly small lens is easy to carry around thanks to its lightweight. You don’t need to worry about it breaking.
Canon has built a solid lens made of the same reinforced plastic as their other top-of-the-line lenses. It doesn’t hurt that the price is also budget-friendly.
Does the 22mm f/2 have any drawbacks? Yes, there’s still no image stabilization which is a shame. In terms of quality, the lens is nothing special but it’s good enough to satisfy most.
Overall, the 22mm f/2 is a solid choice for bloggers and photographers on the move thanks to its portability.
7. Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 DI VC USD for Canon
Finally, we have a lens that’s not manufactured by Canon but is just as good. The Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 has a fantastic focal range that’ll cover a variety of different situations. Its specs are impressive and the performance is just as good as Canon-built lenses.
Like our previous choice, this lens is equipped with image stabilization which should be a feature included in every lens.
This lens won’t produce images as wide as the previous canon. However, you’ll still get a wider image than what most other lenses are offering.
The lens operates on a continuous f/2.8 aperture which is impressive. It’s a feat few if any other lens can claim. Since this camera is built for full-frame sensors, it’ll take you from wide angles to ultra-wide angles with ease.
In terms of construction quality. This lens impresses with its solid build and features of weather sealing. This means you can carry this baby outdoors and not have to worry about a thing.
While the lenses are big they feel comfortable to handle and use with Canon cameras. The sharpness of the image puts other lenses to shame.
Impressively, it can maintain the same level of sharpness from the center of the frame all the way to the edges.
Overall, if you don’t mind owning a non-Canon built lens for your full-frame canon body, this is a great option. Not only is the performance incredibly impressive, but the build quality and image stabilization will also ensure you’ll need no other lenses of this type.
What to Consider Before Buying
As with any purchase you make, there are a number of considerations you should ponder before putting down money for a Canon wide-angle lens.
The Width
While any lens that’s 35mm or lower is considered a wide-angle one, there’s still a distinction depending on size.
For instance, anything lower than 24MM is considered an ultra-wide-angle lens. Considered anything wider than 24mm. The two types of the lens couldn’t be more different.
An Ultra-wide lens can cover more space in a single. However, that comes with a caveat. The subject of the image is far less prevalent than in a wide-angle shot.
This is something that’s very important to consider when buying a lens. How wide do you want the angle to be?
Distortion
A wide-angle lens, regardless of the size, will always produce distortion to a certain degree. The type and amount of distortion can vary which is something to consider.
First, we have perspective distortion. Wide-angle lenses tend to force you to get closer to the subject in order to emphasize it.
The closer you get to a subject, the bigger it’ll look in comparison to what’s around it. Get too close and you start having undesired effects especially on people.
Second, we have barrel distortion. Some objects the farther they get from the center of the frame the more they look bent out of reality.
Barrel distortion exists in all wide-angle lenses. It’s a more prevalent problem in ultra-wide lenses. The wider the angle, the more distortion you’ll get.
Fisheyes
These lenses are technically considered wide-angle lenses. The distinctive feature of these is the exaggerated barrel distortion.
This makes everything on the edges of the frame distorted to an unnatural degree as if looking through a magnifying glass.
Sensor Size
The focal length of a lens is important. Equally important is the camera’s sensor size. The smaller the sensor is the less effective the lens will be.
If you have an APS-C sensor camera and you use it with a 35mm lens you’ll only get to a normal full-frame image.
If you have an APS-C camera, be sure to equip a 22mm or less lens in order to get the wide-angle look. If you have a full-frame camera, a 35mm will do the job.
Why Are Lenses Important?
There’s not much difference between an entry-level DSLR and a pro one. If you can shoot pictures competently in good lighting conditions, you’ll get similar results.
Even your phone camera can give similar results to a DSLR. so, a camera by itself won’t be able to do much besides taking generic pictures.
Lenses are important because they dictate what your camera can and cannot shoot. For every situation or subject, there’s a lens that brings out the nuances and the best of what you’re shooting.
Photographers who film sports use lenses. Professional travel bloggers who document their trips with photos use lenses.
Your cameras might get out of date. Let’s face it cameras go easily out of date due to advancements in technology and manufacturers’ competitiveness with one another.
Lenses don’t go out of date, though. As long as your lens is compatible it’ll last a number of years as you use it on different cameras. Just remember to take good care of it. What lenses should I get?
Don’t Miss Out On a Wide Angle
I’d argue that a wide-angle lens is the most important one to have. If you haven’t gotten a single lens in your photography arsenal, this is the one you should start with.
Why? Because if you want to shoot vast areas, landscapes, large groups of people, etc… you’ll need it. It’ll bring out the grandiose nature of the setting and make things look as big and epic as they can be.
Wide-angle lenses have a focal length of 33mm or less. The smaller the focal length, the wider the angle will be.
Trust me, you’ll be happier to whip out a wide-angle lens when you want to shoot some location with beautiful scenery or when you and your friends decide to recreate Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Best Wide Angle Lens For Canon – Wrap Up
That concludes our guide on the best canon wide-angle lens. Remember that picking a wide-angle lens isn’t just about raw specs, but about what you need from the camera.
If your aim is to capture the most space in a frame, you’ll need a wider focal length. If you’re shooting group photos or in closed spaces, a narrower focal length will suit you better. If you want to take weird pictures a fisheye lens is for you.
Finally, don’t forget to coordinate the focal length of the lens you want to buy with the size of your sensor.
Who wants a wide lens that produces only normal angles on a cropped sensor. Once you nail these things, you’ll have no problem picking a lens. So go out there and have fun.
Lenses are important and will aid you in shooting whatever situation or subject you want.
If you want to take landscape pictures or group photos, large events, etc… you’ll need a wide-angle lens.
Canon users are in luck since both the company and third-party manufacturers have been supplying great lenses with great prices for good prices.
Make sure the lens you get is compatible with your camera. Always read the camera specs to know what type of lenses your camera goes with.
If you think you can take any type of picture without lenses and think that a lens is not worth it, check the internet to see the difference between photos taken with lenses and one without them.
A wise photographer once said, “I’d rather invest 300 dollars in a camera and 1000 dollars in a lens than the other way around.” make sure you invest right. I hope this guide has helped you make up your mind on wide-angle lenses. Good luck.
So now you have everything you need to make an informed choice when purchasing your Canon wide-angle lens. Keep shooting!
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