Last Updated on March 16, 2021
If you shoot with a Nikon and need a wide angle lens, it can be a little intimidating sifting through the options. But fear not, this guide is just for you.
Here you will find the top rated wide angle lenses for Nikon currently on the market. You can check the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices or read on for the full review.
For this guide an extensive list of lenses were rated covering everything from DX to FX, F mount, prime lenses, zoom and even third party produced lenses. Below you will see the top offerings for both prime and zoom lens models.
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Top Nikon Wide Angle Zoom Lens Options
Going with a zoom wide angle lens is the way to go for those looking for shooting versatility and value in a single package. It is important to remember that zoom lenses allow less light into the the sensor than a prime lens does. This means that zoom lenses are not intended for shooting moving subjects in low light. As long as you will not be shooting in those conditions, a zoom can be an excellent option because quality zooms offer exceptional image and color quality that is on par with many primes.
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD
This Sigma zoom is a great value lens for a Nikon DX camera. It offers a constant f/3.5 aperture that functions throughout the entire range of the zoom. This feature is particularly useful when shooting video. It also allows you to shoot in manual mode making it faster to shoot as you will not have to adjust your exposure when adjusting your zoom. As is to expected with the lower price point, image quality is not the best available but you can get solid image and color quality with this lens.
The autofocus is fast and accurate, and it utilizes Sigma’s HSM AF system. The solid plastic construction is lightweight but not as durable as some other models on our list. This is a great overall budget wide angle lens option for Nikons.
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G
If you have a DX camera from Nikon and need a solid wide angle lens this is an excellent option. This updated Sigma model offers improved image and color quality over the previous generation. With an improved zoom range, this lenses model offers a wide normal angle of 24mm. Another plastic build, this lens is not as robust as the higher end options on the list, but it is still well built when considering the price.
One note to keep in mind is that you will not have constant aperture making this lens best suited for still shots and not shooting video.
All in all, this model is an excellent all around wide angle lens if you shoot with a Nikon DX camera. It provides good image quality and a great all around shooting performance for the money.
Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art
This lens is for full frame Nikon camera owners. The Art line of lenses from Sigma are some of the best quality third party lenses on the market. In fact, this lens is on par with Nikon’s lens line in terms of image quality and usability.
The body is constructed of both metal and plastic and it feels solid and heavy in your hand. When set to full frame format, this model provides an ultra wide viewing angle. As a matter of fact, when mounted on a DX camera, it still provides a very wide angle.
If you currently shoot with a DX camera but plan to upgrade to an FX model, this lens is particularly good for you as it will provide excellent performance with both camera models. One negative I noticed is that due to the large front end this lens does not readily fit filters very well. There adapters available to help you fit filters but it is an important consideration if you tend to utilize them often. If you do plan to shoot with filters frequently you may be better off with the Nikon 16-35mm F/4 VR, which you’ll find on this list as well.
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM FLD AF
If you are looking for the widest lens out there for Nikon DX cameras this is the model for you. This Sigma zoom offers the viewing angle you achieve with a 12-24mm on an FX model. You will consistently shoot sharp and detailed images with minimal image decay.
This lens also offers build quality on par with the Art line of lenses. This also makes it difficult to mount filters due to the front end size. Another consideration is that this lens has a slower aperture that requires using a higher ISO or a slower shutter speed. But for those looking for an ultra wide angle lens for a DX camera those are the trade offs you can expect to make. With that in mind, this is an excellent value lens.
Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 Pro
Tokina may be a new brand for you, they are one of the smaller lens producers on the market but don’t let that fool you. They make some solid performing and great value lenses. The 16-28mm f/2.8 is one of those hidden gems. It will provide you with a constant f/2.8 aperture with exceptional image quality. It is one of the faster wide angle lenses you can get for your Nikon and it is the fastest third party lens on the market today. Add in the all metal construction and solid feel in hand and you have a winning combination.
The autofocus is accurate, if a little slower some other models on the list. It does also have a large front design making filters not convenient to mount. Those negatives are pretty easy to overlook when you discover that the price tag comes in at about one third of the Nikon 14-24.
Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX
This versatile lens is designed for DX models but can still be mounted on your FX. You will have to compromise some when using with a full frame camera (it will cover an FX sensor at 16mm and above).
This is the only DX lens on the market that provides f/2.8 aperture throughout the entire zoom range. This updated model also provides improved image quality over it’s predecessor. The previous generations also stopped at 16mm where this model boasts an additional 4mm of reach. The build quality is solid and unlike others on the list, this model can handle most filters that are 77mm screw on. Overall, this is one of the best wide angle DX Nikon lenses on you can get.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR
Are you looking for professional quality landscape photography lens that can equally handle stills and video? If so this is the lens for you. This is easily one of the best all around wide-angle zoom options for Nikon shooters. The 16-35mm is an incredibly popular lens with pro photographers.
Image quality is jaw dropping, with sharpness from image edge to image edge. The color contrast is vibrant and realistic. You can also utilize screw on filters making this a great option for the nature photographer.
You get a constant aperture of f/4 with the addition of image stabilization which makes it easy to capture pro quality video. The build construction is high grade plastic making it both durable and lightweight which is ideal for taking in the field. Overall, with performance and construction quality, this is an excellent quality wide-angle lens.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
This Nikon wide angle lens is for those who do not want to compromise on quality and performance. This lens provides true professional quality and comes in at a premium price to match. It provides the best image quality you can get with truly eye popping image sharpness and color quality. This lens is big and boasts a highly durable build quality making it ready to last you for years and years. The fast and accurate autofocus worked flawlessly as well. This is a true professional quality lens and if it is within your budget you will love having this one in your bag.
Wide Angle Primes
If you are looking for a prime wide angle lens for your Nikon then that means you are looking for a specialized lens that offers superior performance. With that in mind you will find the top performing primes for Nikon below. And all of the following picks are for Nikon FX cameras.
Nikon AF FX NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D
This wide angle lens is my go to prime model for when I am traveling or shooting street photography. With it’s compact size and weight it is great for taking on the go. It boasts a high performing full frame design that will provide good image quality that is versatile enough for most of a photographers needs. The build quality is not the best on the list, and is constructed of mostly plastic. Being a smaller sized lens, that should not hold it back too much. This lens has been around for a long time and it has been loved by many photographers over the years looking for a good budget full frame wide angle lens.
Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro
For a relatively new player in the lens producing field, Venus Optics has built a loyal following thanks to their interesting designs and solid performance. The 15mm f/4 Macro lens is another of those solid offerings. With a combination of wide angle view and a 1:1 macro capacity this lens offers some interesting shooting possibilities. The construction quality is high grade and it produces excellent image quality with little image distortion. This is a great lens and the price is also quite reasonable.
Nikon PC NIKKOR 19mm f/4E ED
The Nikon PC 19mm f/4 lens is designed for the true professional photographer. The unsurpassed performance and build quality are not intended for the hobbyist or beginner photographer. It also comes with a premium price tag to match. This lens offers a truly impressive amount of control over your images and will be appreciated by the perfectionist professional photographer. The shift function allows you to alter the image perspective and to correct the parallel lines ensuring the perfect shot. With the tilt knob you can additionally adjust the focal plane allowing for creating true sharpness or even a bokeh effect almost anywhere within your image. This lens even lets you create the mini world effect without the need for Photoshop. With top of the market build quality and image performance this lens is very popular with professional real estate and architecture photographers around the world.
Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D
This is an excellent all around ultra wide angle lens. It offers great performance and a very fast aperture. The zero distortion boast from the manufacturer is rather accurate, and you will notice almost no distortion even shooting as wide as 12mm. With it’s great performance and middle of the market price, this is a very good value lens.
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art DG HSM
This one is from Sigma’s high quality Art line and it is ideal for the night sky and astrophotographers out there. I already had this one in my tool box and it is definitely one of my favorites. It provides an ultra-wide angle view with a very fast aperture of f/1.8. It performs exceptionally well in low light conditions, hence why I recommend it for those looking to shoot the stars. Keep in mind that this lens is big and bulky and it does not play nice with all filters on the market. But the performance makes up for this if you’re shooting at night or in low light. It is very sturdy and the build quality is superb. The image quality is great and it produces sharp photos even with the aperture wide open. The price tag is pretty high, but for those who need to produce the best images this is the lens for you.
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC
This is one of the top values available for full frame cameras in the wide angle category. This 14mm model is compact and offers a durable, all metal build. It offers great image quality that is pretty comparable to that of the Nikon 14mm f/2.8. But it comes in much cheaper than the Nikon 14mm. There are some areas where it does offer less than the Nikon though. This model does not permit screw on filters, so an adapter will be needed to shoot with them. It is a manual focus only, so if you are not yet comfortable shooting manual it will take some getting used to. It also does not offer any metadata. This means you will not have the f stop, the lens type, or the focus distance embedded in your images. If these trade offs don’t impact your style of shooting then this is an excellent value option.
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM
If you haven’t noticed yet, the Sigma Art line of lenses is full of high quality options. The 20mm f/1.4 is another great wide-angle model. Like it’s brothers on the list, this one offers excellent build quality and produces high quality images. It is big and heavy but offers great shooting versatility. It is a top choice for all around wide angle shooting. Like others in the line, it does not offer easy mounting for filters but the optics are truly high quality. I have heard reports out there that some have had complaints with the accuracy of the autofocus. I have not had this issue but it is something to keep in mind.
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED
This is my favorite overall wide angle lens for Nikons on the market. While it isn’t as wide as other on the list, it is a truly impressive performer. There is no other more versatile wide-angle lens I own and this one is my personal workhorse as it can handle so many shooting situations. It boasts top of the market optics with a fast and accurate autofocus and a durable metal and plastic build. I can shoot this in low light conditions in hand and even capture moving subjects. This model isn’t just a favorite of mine, it is one of the most popular lenses on the market for professionals.
Nikon Z-mount
Mirrorless cameras are gaining in popularity and Nikon is no slouch in the mirrorless game. If you shoot with a Z6 or a Z7 then you know they have a new lens mount. As of now, there are not a ton of options for the mirrorless models, and the 14-30mm f/4 S just so happens to be a great offering. Luckily, any of the above lenses can be used as well with an adapter.
Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4S
The Z is a compact and lightweight lens. It is a professional quality performer that is much lighter than what we have come to expect with pro equipment. It does have a slower aperture but the image quality is top notch. This is a great native wide angle option if you shoot with a Z model Nikon.
Conclusion
Getting the right wide angle lens for your Nikon will help you get the best image quality possible. There are great options available no matter your budget and any of the top pick lenses will serve you well for years to come.
For more Nikon lens guides check out these articles