Capturing images with wide angles while using Sony APS-C cameras was challenging 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 the good without breaking the bank.
The APS-C wide-angle lenses that we have rounded up below are well made, they’re small and light, have fantastic optics and are priced right. When paired with Sony APS-C cameras, these lenses enable you to create dynamic wide images that create a nice broad view of whatever scene you’re trying to capture. Below, we’ll look at five wide-angle lenses that will bring a massive smile to your face every time you use them.
Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D — Laowa makes wide-angle lenses right
You’re missing out if you’ve never used the Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D. This is a manual focus lens, but it should be high up on the list of wide-angle lenses to buy for Sony’s APS-C cameras. This lens’s Zero-D (rectilinear) nature means that distortion is controlled incredibly well. In addition, an equivalent focal length of 13.5mm makes it ideal for landscapes and architectural work.
The fast maximum aperture lends itself well to low light conditions, too. The smooth manual focusing ring is a joy to use, and the weather sealing means you can use it even if the weather is terrible. With a minimum focusing distance of 4.7-inches, you can get nice and close to your subjects. You can create some incredible shots with this lens, which costs less than $500.
Sony 11mm f/1.8 — Small, light, sharp and easy on the wallet
The Sony 11mm f/1.8 is one of the newest kids on the wide-angle lens block for Sony APS-C cameras. I had a lot of fun with this lens during our review period, thanks to its equivalent focal range of 16.5mm. Performance-wise, 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 on end and never become tired. In addition, the Sony 11mm f/1.8 is well made, features some weather sealing and can be yours for under $550. You can read our full review here.
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary — One of the best wide angle primes for Sony APS-C cameras
The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is an exceptional wide-angle lens for an excellent price. This fast prime will have an equivalent focal length of 24mm on Sony APS-C cameras, which makes it perfect for many genres of photography. Street, documentary, environmental portraits, landscapes, food photography and more will be easier than ever.
The maximum aperture of f/1.4 will not only allow you to get a very shallow depth of field but also allow you to shoot in low-light situations. The excellent optics will help you create sharp images, even wide-open, and a seal at the mount gives a small amount of 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 under $400!
Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 — Massive versatility, low price
With an equivalent focal range of 16.5-30mm, this lens lends itself well to landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, automotive photography and more. It’s easily one of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony APS-C cameras, thanks to its versatility and excellent optics.
This lens’s copious amounts of weather sealing will allow you to shoot when Mother Nature is not playing nice. The optics will allow you to create razor-sharp, nearly distortion-free images, and the fast aperture is excellent for low-light photography. The autofocus performance will rock your world too. 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 — A great wide-angle zoom for Sony APS-C cameras
While this is a wide to standard zoom, the equivalent 15mm focal length on the wide end of things is fantastic, and it deserves a place on our list. This lens is tiny, but the performance levels are enormous!
Sony did an excellent job with the optics in this lens. Distortion is controlled well. Ghosting, flaring, and chromatic aberrations are nothing to worry about. The lens is sharp, and it renders very pleasing colors. The lens also features weather sealing, a power zoom for smooth zooming action, and a custom function button. At under $750, this lens is a steal for photographers who want a wide-angle option for their Sony APS-C cameras. You can read about the lens and see many image samples in our full review.
