Best Canon wide-angle lenses

If you’ve been following this photography blog from the beginning, you already know how much I love camera gear. I’ve already written quite a bit about photography equipment here, and two articles are directly related to this one: how to choose your wide-angle lens and which lenses to choose for landscape photography. This article is a little different from what I usually publish on the blog, because I’ll be going into more detail than usual. Today I’m talking about the best Canon wide-angle lenses available. It’s a useful guide if you want to move beyond your kit lens and start taking landscape photography more seriously.

You might tell me that some of this information is already covered in the two articles mentioned above, and you’d be right. However, I had not yet taken the time to present each lens in detail, including its characteristics, use, value, price, and overall interest. So this article focuses specifically on Canon’s wide-angle lenses, for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

Wide-angle lenses are mainly used to capture a wider field of view, emphasize perspective, create a sense of space, and fit an entire scene into the frame, especially indoors when you have limited room to step back.

This article is the result of a lot of research, and it allows me to share, based on my own analysis and point of view, the best Canon wide-angle lenses today. Of course, I’ll update this article as new lenses are released. For each Canon lens listed below, you’ll find a visual, its main characteristics, and my opinion on it. When possible, I also mention compatible filter systems. To make things easier, I’ve grouped my lens selection by sensor size (APS-C and full-frame), for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

This article focuses on landscape photography. Indeed, telephoto and standard zoom lenses are used less often in this field. However, I won’t be going into technical details about lenses such as distortion, chromatic aberration, etc. Modern software handles these flaws very well in post-production. I also won’t cover fisheye lenses here, as they are mainly used for a specific visual effect and are not especially common in landscape photography.

For those wondering, I currently shoot landscape photography with a Canon DSLR, a 6D, mostly paired with a Canon 16-35mm f/4 and a lot of lens filters. I’m also considering buying a prime lens, something like a 14mm. One day, I’ll need to find a new camera bag!

Canon’s wide-angle lens lineup for mirrorless cameras, across both RF (full-frame) and RF-S (APS-C) mounts, continues to grow.

Here are the Canon wide-angle lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras that I consider the best. You can click directly on the lens or lenses you’re interested in to jump to the details:

1. Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM
2. Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM
3. Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
4. Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS
5. Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
6. Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM

The table below summarizes the main characteristics of these lenses.

The Canon RF 10-20mm f/4 L IS STM, available since late 2023, is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras (RF mount). With a focal length of 10-20mm and a constant f/4 aperture, it is one of the widest rectilinear zoom lenses available for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The lens features 16 elements in 12 groups, including aspherical lenses and an ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass element.

This lens is primarily designed for architectural, landscape, interior, and astrophotography. Whether you are a professional or an advanced amateur, this high-end lens has plenty to offer. Admittedly, it is not cheap compared with the RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM, but that makes sense given its ultra-wide coverage and high level of performance.

Available since August 2021, the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS is an excellent alternative to the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS, offering a wider angle of view and effective stabilization in a more compact, lighter package. The lens is weather-sealed and accommodates 77mm screw-in filters, which is a real advantage for landscape photography. Optically, as expected, image quality is excellent, with strong sharpness right from the widest aperture. Its 114° field of view at 14mm makes it ideal for capturing broad landscapes and architectural scenes.

In short, this lens is a high-end option, yet less expensive than the 15-35mm f/2.8. Its main strengths are its compact size, optical stabilization, and overall versatility. In my opinion, this Canon lens checks a lot of boxes.

Launched in August 2022, the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is a high-quality wide-angle zoom lens. It is positioned as a more accessible alternative to Canon’s premium lenses. Priced at around €700, it is half the cost of the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS, for example. Its aperture is fine for many situations, even if it remains somewhat limited. Its size and weight make it a practical, lightweight option for long photo sessions.

In short, this lens delivers very good image quality, especially in the center. It features a zoom ring, a customizable focus ring, and reliable autofocus. In my opinion, even with a few compromises, it remains a good choice for photographers seeking a compact ultra-wide-angle lens at an affordable price.

With the RF 15-35mm f/2.8 IS, Canon expanded its ultra-wide-angle offering by going from 16mm to 15mm, with a wider 110° field of view and stabilization rated up to 7 stops. The build is robust, weather-sealed, and features three rings: zoom, focus, and a customizable control ring.

In terms of performance, the image quality is outstanding from 24mm onward. For the best sharpness, it is worth stopping down to f/5.6. There are some optical flaws, including vignetting and distortion, but they can be corrected in post-production. Ultimately, even though this lens is quite expensive, it remains a high-end option, ideal for landscape and astrophotography. If your budget allows, it is easy to recommend. Otherwise, the more affordable alternatives are worth considering.

Available since late 2021, the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM was a pleasant surprise, thanks to its attractive price and ultra-wide-angle of view. It is clearly positioned as an affordable option. You no longer need to spend more than €1,500 to get a bright ultra-wide-angle lens. Compared to the RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM, this 16mm prime is more compact and offers a constant f/2.8 aperture. Light and compact, it accepts 43mm filters. The construction is entirely plastic, but that does not necessarily hurt its overall quality. However, it is neither weather-sealed nor stabilized.

In terms of optical quality, this lens excels from f/2.8, but the edges are weaker, even after stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6. Optical flaws, including vignetting and distortion, are noticeable (although they can be corrected). In short, the lens offers very good value for a compact, bright ultra-wide-angle option. In my view, it’s a very good deal.

Available since August 2022, the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is a fast wide-angle lens that stands out thanks to its effective stabilization (5 stops) and its close-focusing capability (0.5x magnification ratio). It clearly belongs to Canon’s lineup of affordable prime lenses, alongside the RF 35mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/1.8. Its plastic construction is adequate but not weather-sealed. Its compact size makes it discreet and easy to carry, making it perfect for street photography, reportage, and close-up shots.

In terms of performance, the sharpness is remarkable at the center right from f/1.8, although it lacks uniformity at the edges. For better rendering, including at the edges and corners, you need to stop down to f/2.8 or f/5.6. Distortion and vignetting are quite visible, so they will often need correcting in post-processing. I would say this lens is a very strong option for those looking for a versatile focal length. The price may seem high, but it remains a good choice if you want a large aperture and effective stabilization in a lightweight and compact format.

Below, you’ll find a table summarizing the characteristics of the lenses mentioned.

Here are the Canon RF-S wide-angle lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras that I find most interesting. Click on the name(s) of the lenses you’re interested in to see the details:

1. Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
2. Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary RF-S
3. Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD RF-S
4. Samyang 12mm f/2 AF RF-S
5. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary RF-S

Below, I’ve prepared a table summarizing the essential features of each of these lenses.

Available since December 2023, the Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is a very good ultra-wide zoom lens. It offers a focal range of 10 to 18mm (equivalent to 16-29mm in full-frame), allowing you to capture very wide perspectives. With its aperture range of f/4.5 to f/6.3 and effective stabilization, the lens performs well. Its sharpness is excellent, and chromatic aberrations are well controlled.

Its size and weight make it practical and comfortable to carry during long photo sessions. It is perfectly suited for landscape, architectural, and street photography. In short, if you are looking for a versatile ultra-wide-angle at a good price, I recommend it!

Launched in September 2024, the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens that delivers quality outcomes. Compared to its Canon counterpart, it features a constant aperture of f/2.8, ideal for low-light situations. Its optical construction includes 13 elements in 10 groups, along with a 7-blade diaphragm and a magnification ratio of 0.25x. However, it lacks stabilization, though this is not crucial for a wide-angle lens.

In terms of performance, the lens offers excellent central sharpness, although it lacks uniformity at the edges and corners. As you can probably tell, this Sigma is geared towards landscape, architectural, and astrophotography. Moreover, it is priced attractively, making it an interesting alternative to the Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3. In my opinion, it is a very appealing option.

Released in December 2024, the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is positioned as a premium ultra-wide-angle zoom. Its focal range of 11-20mm and compact design are among its main strengths. Its constant aperture is useful in low light. The lens features 12 elements in 10 groups, including 5 special lenses (aspherical and low dispersion). It also has fast, efficient autofocus.

In terms of image quality, sharpness is exceptional at the center from f/2.8. For more uniform rendering, simply stop down slightly. While distortion and vignetting are noticeable, they can be corrected in post-production. In short, this Tamron is ideal for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography. In my view, this lens is a strong alternative to the Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3, with stronger performance.

Launched in January 2025, the Samyang AF 12mm f/2 RF-S is positioned as an accessible ultra-wide-angle lens. It offers a 19mm full-frame equivalent focal length and a bright aperture of f/2, ideal for low-light situations. The lens is robust and weather-sealed, making it suitable for more demanding shooting conditions.

In the field, sharpness is remarkable at the center from f/2, although it lacks uniformity at the edges. To improve sharpness, simply stop down to f/5.6. Overall, the lens manages optical flaws well, including flare and chromatic aberrations. It is perfect for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography. In short, if you’re looking for a bright and especially affordable wide-angle, this is an easy option to recommend.

Available since January 2025, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a fast prime lens. It offers a 24mm full-frame equivalent focal length, making it ideal for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography. In low-light situations, its f/1.4 aperture allows for good control of depth of field.

Optically, it incorporates 16 elements in 13 groups, including 2 SLD and 3 FLD lenses. Among its strengths, it features reactive and reliable autofocus, though less so than some premium lenses. Ultimately, this is a very good option that combines image quality, a large aperture, and a lightweight design.

The following table summarizes the characteristics of the lenses presented above:

For those using a Canon APS-C mirrorless body, the entire Canon EOS-M range (until the release of Canon RF APS-C cameras in June 2022), from the M100 to the M200, M50, M6 to the M6 Mk II, unfortunately the choice remains limited when it comes to wide-angle lenses. At the time of writing this article, only the Canon 11-22mm IS STM f/4-5.6 exists, with a 17-35mm full-frame equivalent range. This stabilized lens has a very good reputation and offers very good image quality. Considering its weight, size, and price, it is an easy lens to recommend.

As for third-party brands, as far as I know, there are three Samyang/Rokinon manual focus lenses that might be interesting to consider if you’re looking for a wide-angle lens for your Canon mirrorless body: a 10mm f/2.8, the 12mm f/2 and the 14mm f/2.8. The advantage of these three lenses is that they offer a wider maximum aperture than Canon’s f/5.6 option.

Remember that there are many other wide-angle lenses available for this EF-M mount, especially from Sigma. I present on this page all the lenses dedicated to the Canon EF-M mount. I also describe on another page all Canon APS-C cameras with this EF-M mount.

When it comes to wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses for Canon full-frame cameras, you immediately have more choice. Here is my selection of the six best lenses in this category. However, I also list below the possible alternatives to these six lenses.

If you want to go further, take a look at our full page listing all Canon EF lenses for full-frame cameras. You will obviously find these wide-angle lenses, but also a good overview of what the brand offers in other focal lengths.

Below, you’ll find the six lenses I consider the best for a full-frame Canon camera:

1. Tamron SP 15-30mm Di VC USD f/2.8 G2
2. Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM
3. Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM
4. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM
5. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
6. Canon 24mm f/2.8 IS USM

If you want to compare the technical characteristics of these six lenses and find the lowest prices, I have summarized everything in the table below.

In my opinion, at the time of writing, the best wide-angle lens for a Canon full-frame sensor. Based on tests and feedback from many photographers, this Tamron lens competes directly with some of the best lenses in the category, the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 and the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 III.

Its sharpness is excellent at the full f/2.8 aperture, which is perfect for astrophotography. Moreover, the lens is stabilized (which is uncommon) and photographers who often shoot handheld or in low light conditions will appreciate this extra feature.

Finally, the price of around €1,000 seems very attractive compared with competitors that remain much more expensive.

Among the very high-quality lenses offered by third-party brands, this Sigma wide-angle lens is a superb option. Many photographers compare it with the very similar Sigma 12-24mm f/4, but the latter has the advantage of an integrated lens hood which limits the flare, but above all, it is faster (f/2.8), which is useful in low light.

In terms of sharpness, you’re very close to the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 mentioned above, and as soon as you zoom in a little, the Sigma offers a remarkable level of quality, especially at 24mm. The lens is generally sharper than the Canon 14mm f/2.8 L II or the 14-24 f/2.8G, a benchmark lens at Nikon. If you want a nice wide-angle lens to pair with your 24-70mm f/2.8, this Sigma is a superb lens.

We’re leaving the world of wide-angle zoom lenses to focus on wide-aperture prime lenses. If you’re looking for the best wide-angle prime lens for your Canon full-frame camera, look no further, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 delivers outstanding quality.

This lens has a 9-blade diaphragm and is capable of offering a very pleasant bokeh at full aperture. In direct competition with the Canon 14mm f/2.8 L II and the Nikon 14mm f/2.8D, this Sigma performs better on almost every level (although the Canon and Nikon references are much older too). For astrophotography or interior architecture fans, this lens is well worth considering!

Sigma has done a great job by offering an aperture never before available in a wide-angle lens. If you are looking for a very good wide-angle lens with a large aperture, take a look at this lens. The price is still decent compared to the results.

Still in the wide-angle category, Sigma offers a superb 20mm f/1.4, something neither Canon nor Nikon had produced natively. Sigma now offers a very fast lens capable of performing well in low light, landscape and architecture photography.

Sigma has made a strong impression with the release of this new 20mm and for the price, this lens is an excellent wide-angle lens to consider!

At this point, some of you might be wondering whether I work for Sigma, but I don’t! Sigma once again offers excellent optics with a very large aperture. Its quality and sharpness are often considered better than Canon’s 24mm f/1.4.

Moreover, the price of the Sigma Art is very attractive compared with the Canon, which is roughly twice as expensive. If you are looking for a nice 24mm wide aperture lens, this Sigma is well worth considering!

The last wide-angle lens on this list, this Canon 24mm f/2.8 offers very good image quality for an unbeatable price (less than 500€). At this price, the quality it delivers is very good, not to mention that the lens is small and light.

The lens, in addition to being stabilized, has a useful f/2.8 maximum aperture which can help as soon as the light starts to drop. Moreover, it accepts small 58mm screw-in filters, which will save you money. This is a very good alternative to the slightly more expensive Sigma 24mm f/1.4 mentioned above. For anyone looking for a 24mm lens that is light, reliable, compact, and reasonably priced, this is a great lens.

To give you a clear overview and make it easier to compare the lenses and their characteristics, I have decided to provide you with a summary table of these 6 lenses below. You can sort the table according to the information that matters most to you.

In my opinion, these are the six best lenses to consider. The only concern, and in my opinion it is an important one, is that most of these lenses do not allow you to use conventional screw-in filters or even standard 100mm filter holder systems. All these lenses (except the last Canon 24mm f/2.8 IS) have a curved/bulbous front element which prevents this. So, you will have to use special expensive filter systems, most of the time a 150mm or even 180mm filter holder and adapted, expensive filters. I have spent so much time comparing, checking and searching for all the information about filters for wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle optics, that I decided to write a dedicated article about it. If you have the motivation, here are all the filter holder systems for WA/UWA lenses requiring 150mm or 170mm filter holders. The alternatives below accept most standard screw-in filters, which will delight filter lovers, especially for landscape photography.

Canon’s APS-C camera range is quite broad, extending from entry-level bodies such as the 4000D to the 7D Mk II, a professional-grade camera body. APS-C wide-angle lenses have the advantage of being much lighter and more compact than their full-frame equivalents. In my opinion, these are the best lenses for Canon APS-C DSLRs.

If you are interested in other wide-angle alternatives, or if you’re simply curious, here is the full page summarizing all Canon EF-S mount lenses.

Here are, in my opinion, the four best Canon wide-angle lenses for APS-C cameras:

1. Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
2. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
3. Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX II AF 11-16 mm f/2.8
4. Sigma AF 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

I have summarized for comparison the main technical characteristics of the 4 lenses in the table below.

This newer version of the Tamron 10-24mm now features an built-in stabilizer (VC) that works very well. It has the widest focal range in its class of wide-angle lenses, wider than Canon’s classic 10-18mm and 10-22mm. This Tamron wide-angle lens has a solid construction and a total weight of 439g.

The maximum aperture itself is not especially bright, but the stabilization can help you in low-light situations. Sharpness tests demonstrate very good quality, especially in the center of the image and at the shortest focal lengths (between 10 and 15mm), superior to Canon wide-angle lenses. Quality decreases in the corners but is still acceptable. If you are considering buying a Canon APS-C wide-angle DSLR lens, I think this is the most interesting lens today!

In direct competition with its older brother the Canon EF-S 10-22mm, this ultra-wide-angle lens will suit photographers looking for a good-quality, lightweight, properly built lens. The focal range is ideal and matches perfectly with the 18-55mm standard zoom lenses.

Compared to its big brother, sharpness is said to be better, especially at full aperture. Even though the aperture is smaller than the Canon 10-22mm, you get a stabilized lens, which will be useful in low light situations. Finally, the price remains quite reasonable. In my opinion, it’s a very good alternative to the Tamron if you’re looking for an ultra-wide-angle (UWA) lens from Canon, in a similar price range.

With a nice f/2.8 constant aperture and a very solid construction (well beyond the two Canon lenses mentioned above), this new version of the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 remains a very nice alternative when choosing your wide-angle lens.

For photographers who enjoy shooting in low light, at night or for astrophotography, this is clearly a lens to consider. The sharpness is lower than the other two Canons’ in my opinion, but still very good, especially in the center of the image. The lens accepts filters without any problem, but in 77mm. I shot with this lens for almost 2 years, especially while traveling, and it was perfect for me.

The last ultra-wide-angle lens for Canon APS-C DSLRs on this list looks like a good choice for people on a tight budget. This second version is much better than the first 10-20mm from Sigma. This ultra-wide-angle lens has a useful constant aperture of f/3.5, which will help you in low light conditions.

Of course, there are other wide-angle lenses for APS-C cameras, but these are the four I would recommend considering. You can also look at the Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro Dx. Here is a summary and comparative table of the main characteristics of the lenses mentioned above.

Please note that all the lens characteristics mentioned in the two paragraphs below are summarized in the table that follows.

Of course, not everyone will agree with the earlier selection of the best optics. Concerning alternatives to the six lenses mentioned above, here are a few to consider. For a fast ultra-wide-angle zoom (other than the Tamron), you can of course go for the excellent Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L III. But it is much more expensive and a little less sharp. On the contrary, it accepts screw-in filters, which is great! For a less expensive option, especially if you don’t necessarily need a large aperture, the f/4 version of the 16-35mm has a very good reputation (and almost as good in sharpness). I personally bought this lens and fell in love with it. Another good alternative, three times lighter than the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 mentioned above, is the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4. However, the latter has a smaller aperture on its longest focal length and has no stabilization. However, the lens can be found for less than 500€, which is a excellent price for small budgets. Finally, there is also the older Canon 17-40mm f/4 but it remains in my opinion the least interesting alternative now (no IS and lower sharpness than all the others).

When it comes to fast wide-angle zoom lenses and as an alternative to the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM, you can look at the very good Sigma 12-24mm f/4. The equivalent Canon 11-24mm f/4 is also a very good alternative, offering superb image quality, but its price is still about twice as expensive as the Sigma, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

Finally, for an ultra fast wide-angle lens for your Canon full-frame camera, you can look at the Canon 14mm f/2.8 II even though it is still a step behind and more expensive. The Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 version is in my opinion a very nice alternative with decent quality at a much lower price.

Here are the main characteristics of Canon wide-angle lenses with autofocus. There’s plenty to choose from!

I’ll mention four models here that stand out from the crowd. Zeiss offers three excellent wide-angle references with a constant wide aperture, the 15mm f/2.8, the 18mm f/2.8 and the 21mm f/2.8. All three lenses are extremely well known and everyone agrees that they are safe choices. The optics are superbly constructed, high-quality, and very sharp. The only thing you need to know is that they are non-autofocus lenses and you will have to deal with manual focusing, which, between us, for landscape or architecture photography (probably the main reason to buy such a lens) won’t cause any trouble.

Finally, for anyone on a small budget looking for an inexpensive wide-angle lens, Samyang offers a very good 14mm f/2.8 MF. Based on user feedback, this lens offers quality close to the native Canon and Nikon 14mm lenses. By the way, I almost forgot, but recently, Irix released a wide-angle lens that attracted a lot of attention, the Irix 15mm f/2.4. Many consider it as a very nice alternative to the Canon wide-angle lenses which remains expensive compared with this low-cost wide-angle lens (less than 500€). Note that there are two versions of the lens: Firefly and Blackstone.

I won’t repeat all the additional information given in the article on how to choose your wide-angle lens, but I encourage you to read it if you need to know all the details before making your choice. However, here are the main points summarized below. You just need to click on the scroll bar to display all these elements in detail (I deliberately hid it because these elements are already found in other articles, but it felt important to me to remind them here).

The sensor is the first thing to consider. Depending on the brand, including Canon, not all lenses (wide-angle or otherwise) fit all sensor sizes, and some will therefore not be compatible. For example, a Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 wide-angle lens is a lens designed for an APS-C sensor. Therefore, it cannot be attached on a full-frame camera (24×36). Be careful when choosing, and make sure that the lens will be compatible with your sensor. It is not necessarily the same with Nikon DSLRs, as the camera may automatically crop the image…

At Canon, remember this:

• Canon EF lenses are designed for full-frame cameras
• Canon EF-S lenses are designed for APS-C cameras

We’ll see this below in the list of Canon wide-angle lenses I recommend, but more and more third-party brands offer very nice lenses, often with quality as good as native-brand lenses, or sometimes even better. The price-to-performance ratio is often unbeatable. I am thinking in particular of the brands Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss or Samyang/Rokinon. However, these brands offer different lenses for Canon, Nikon or sometimes even Sony. Be careful to check the compatibility so that your wide-angle lens fits your Canon camera properly… It would be a shame to buy a lens for Nikon if you own a 6D Mark II or a 5D Mark IV, right? So make sure to check that the lens is for the EF mount (for full-frame cameras) or EF-S mount (for APS-C cameras).

If you are reading this article, chances are you already know the term focal length. It is written on all lenses, in millimeters (Ex: 10mm, 35mm, 300mm). Put simply, it is the “zoom level” that you will see in your viewfinder, which will influence your “framing/field of view” when shooting. For this article on wide-angle lenses, we’re referring to short focal lengths. Obviously, you will have to pay attention to the size of the sensor you use, because it influences the angle of view you get (crop factor x1.5 between an APS-C sensor and a full-frame).

We can generally consider a wide-angle to be:

• For a full-frame body: Between 16 and 35mm (anything lower than that is UWA, ultra-wide-angle),
• For an APS-C body: Between 10 and 24mm.

Of course, you’ll find here wide-angle prime lenses (Ex: 14mm f/1.8) and zoom lenses (Ex: 16-35mm f/4). In this article, I won’t talk about fisheye lenses.

Remember, this is the number after the “f/” written on your lens. The maximum aperture is important in many ways and allows you to shoot faster, reduce motion blur in low light situations, blur your background (to create pleasant bokeh or background blur) or reduce your depth of field. In most cases, you often buy a wide-angle lens for landscape and/or architecture photography. Of course, it can also be used for street photography, indoor photography, etc…

Personally, I use my WA lens mainly for landscape photography. In the middle of the day, unless you plan to shoot long exposures (but you will be on a tripod anyway), you will often shoot between f/8 and f/16. The maximum aperture of your lens will not matter as much. However, you might want to blur an unsightly background/foreground by shooting wide open (e.g. f/2.8). In that case, it may matter. The same goes for architectural or indoor photography where you may not always have enough light and being able to open the aperture wider can help in some situations. Having a large aperture will definitely help you use a faster shutter speed.

That said, if you are shooting with a tripod, it won’t matter because you will often try to make the whole image sharp (so rarely at wide aperture). Let’s just say that generally speaking, lenses with a large maximum aperture are usually heavier, bulkier, and more expensive. So be careful when making your choice.

This is another aspect to consider when buying your wide-angle lens. For short focal lengths, having a stabilized lens is less important in my opinion. However, in low light, if you don’t have a tripod, having a stabilized lens can really help and you can get sharper images with it. There are many Canon EF lenses with stabilization today.

This is another question to ask yourself when making your choice. Everyone has their own vision of the advantages and disadvantages of each. To simplify, I would say that a fixed focal length (also known as a prime lens) is generally brighter but less flexible. It’s a matter of taste. I personally love the versatility of a zoom lens like my Canon EF 16-35mm f/4.

If you buy a wide-angle lens, there’s a good chance that landscape photography is somewhere in your mind, right? If you’re like me, you might like to use filters (GND, ND, polarizing). You’ll need to be careful as some wide-angle lenses have a curved/bulbous front element which prevents the use of standard filters, or screw-in filters. Even the “conventional 100mm filter holder system” cannot be used with these lenses and you will have to consider more expensive systems.

Each brand has its own range of lenses. Canon has a number of entry-level lenses with a more plastic construction and L-series lenses with a stronger construction. Of course, prices differ between the two lineups (as do the characteristics of the lenses… fortunately).

That’s it, I’ve come to the end of this article on the best Canon wide-angle lenses for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Now, who said choosing a lens was simple, huh? I’ll update this article regularly as new lenses are released. I hope you enjoyed the article, and don’t hesitate to share your opinion on the selection of lenses presented in this article! For Nikon fans, you will find a similar article presenting the best Nikon wide-angle lenses.

See you soon,

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

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