Best Wide-angle Lenses for Sony

Wide-angle lenses are essential tools for landscape, architecture, and interior photography, as well as for capturing expansive scenes in general. Sony’s mirrorless camera lineup has become increasingly popular among photographers, and with that popularity comes a growing selection of high-quality wide-angle lenses. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best wide-angle lens options for Sony mirrorless cameras, covering both full-frame and APS-C formats.

Best Wide-angle Zoom for Pros: Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM

The Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is a top-of-the-line wide-angle zoom lens that delivers exceptional image quality and performance. With a massive 122-degree maximum viewing angle, this lens is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, tight interiors, and dramatic architectural shots. The fast f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and background separation, making it ideal for astrophotography and indoor shooting.

The lens features a robust construction with 17 elements in 14 groups, including three XA (eXtreme Aspherical) elements for outstanding sharpness and clarity. The autofocus system is fast and accurate, thanks to four high-speed XD (eXtreme Dynamic) Linear Motors. Although the lens lacks a filter attachment thread, it does have a rear gel filter slot for added versatility.

While the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM is larger and more expensive than Sony’s 12-24mm F4 alternative, its exceptional build quality, image quality, and fast aperture make it the best choice for professionals and enthusiasts who demand the highest level of performance.

Best Affordable Pro Wide-angle Zoom: Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art

For photographers looking for a more affordable alternative to Sony’s premium wide-angle zoom, the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art is an excellent choice. This lens offers professional-grade quality and performance at about half the price of its Sony counterpart. With a slightly narrower zoom range and maximum viewing angle compared to the Sony 12-24mm, the Sigma still delivers impressive results.

The lens features 18 elements in 13 groups, including three aspherical elements, one FLD element, and five SLD elements. Sigma’s Nano Porous Coating and Multi-Layer Coating help to minimize ghosting and flare. The lens delivers superb sharpness and clarity, even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8, with negligible color fringing and distortion.

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art boasts a solid build quality with extensive weather sealing, and it includes a customizable AF-L button for added convenience. While it lacks a front filter thread, the lens represents an outstanding value for photographers seeking professional-level performance at a more accessible price point.

Best Affordable Full-frame Wide-angle Zoom: Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD

The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD is a compact, lightweight, and affordable wide-angle zoom lens that delivers excellent performance for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. Despite its more limited zoom range compared to 16-35mm alternatives, this lens offers a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture in a portable package.

With 13 elements in 11 groups, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 delivers sharp and clear images with minimal color fringing. The RXD (Rapid eXtra silent stepping Drive) autofocus system is fast, quiet, and accurate, making it suitable for both stills and video. The lens also features good weather-sealed construction and a 67mm front filter thread, which is particularly useful for landscape photographers.

While the lens lacks optical image stabilization and may exhibit some pincushion distortion in the longer half of its zoom range, its overall performance, compact size, and affordable price make it an attractive option for photographers looking for a versatile wide-angle zoom.

Best APS-C Wide-angle Zoom: Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD

Designed specifically for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD is a compact and lightweight wide-angle zoom that delivers impressive performance. With a focal length equivalent to 16.5-30mm in full-frame terms, this lens offers a versatile wide-angle range suitable for a variety of shooting scenarios.

The lens features 12 elements in 10 groups, a fast and constant f/2.8 aperture, and a close minimum focusing distance of 0.15-0.24m. The RXD autofocus system ensures fast and silent operation, while the 67mm filter thread allows for easy use of filters. Although the lens lacks optical stabilization, its compact size and light weight make it an excellent choice for travel and everyday shooting.

While the Tamron 11-20mm F/2.8 Di III-A RXD exhibits some heavy distortion at 11mm, this can be easily corrected in-camera or during post-processing. Overall, this lens offers an impressive combination of performance, portability, and value for Sony APS-C shooters.

Widest Angle Possible: 7Artisans 9mm F5.6

For photographers seeking the widest possible angle of view, the 7Artisans 9mm F5.6 is a unique and affordable manual focus lens. Despite its compact size, this full-frame compatible lens offers an incredible 132-degree field of view, making it perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, tight interiors, and creative perspectives.

The lens features a solid metal construction with an integrated hood and a slip-on metal cap. With 16 elements in 11 groups, the 7Artisans 9mm F5.6 delivers good optical quality, although its fully manual operation means no autofocus or electronic communication with the camera. Photographers will need to adjust focus and aperture settings directly on the lens and will not have access to EXIF data.

While the f/5.6 maximum aperture may be limiting for low-light situations, the lens’s ultra-wide angle of view and affordable price make it an attractive option for photographers looking to experiment with extreme wide-angle photography.

Best Professional Wide-angle Prime Lens: Sony FE 14mm F1.8 G Master

The Sony FE 14mm F1.8 G Master is a top-performing wide-angle prime lens that combines a fast aperture with exceptional optical quality and advanced features. With a 114-degree angle of view and a bright f/1.8 aperture, this lens is ideal for astrophotography, low-light interiors, and creative wide-angle shots with shallow depth of field.

The lens features 14 elements in 11 groups, including two ED elements, one Super ED element, two XA elements, and one aspherical element. Sony’s Nano AR Coating II helps to minimize ghosting and flare, while the XD Linear Motors ensure fast, quiet, and precise autofocus. The lens also includes a customizable function button and a manual aperture ring with a click on/off switch for video work.

Despite its compact size and light weight, the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 G Master delivers outstanding sharpness, even when shooting wide-open at f/1.8, with minimal coma and astigmatism. While the lens is more expensive than zoom alternatives, its exceptional performance and advanced features make it a top choice for professionals and enthusiasts who demand the best in wide-angle prime lenses.

Best Affordable Full-frame Wide-angle Prime: Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN | C

The Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN | C is a compact, well-built, and affordable wide-angle prime lens that delivers excellent image quality and performance. Part of Sigma’s Contemporary line-up, this lens offers a slightly slower f/2 aperture compared to f/1.8 alternatives but maintains a small size and light weight.

With 13 elements in 11 groups, including three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements, one SLD element, and one FLD element, the lens delivers sharp and clear images with minimal distortion and aberrations. The lens features a metal construction with weather sealing, a magnetic metal lens cap, and an aperture control ring for direct aperture adjustments.

Although the lens lacks a “de-click” option for the aperture ring, which may be a drawback for video work, its overall performance and value make it an excellent choice for photographers looking for a high-quality, affordable wide-angle prime lens for their Sony full-frame camera.

Best APS-C Wide-angle Prime: Sony E 15mm F1.4 G

The Sony E 15mm F1.4 G is a fast, compact, and lightweight wide-angle prime lens designed specifically for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras. With a 35mm equivalent focal length of 22.5mm, this lens offers a versatile wide-angle perspective suitable for a range of shooting scenarios, from landscapes to low-light interiors.

Featuring 13 elements in 12 groups, including three aspherical elements, one ED element, and one Super ED element, the lens delivers outstanding image quality with minimal distortion and aberrations. The fast f/1.4 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and creative control over depth of field. The lens also includes an aperture control ring with a click on/off switch and a customizable function button for added versatility.

Despite its compact size, the Sony E 15mm F1.4 G is built to high standards, with weather sealing and a solid construction. While the lens exhibits some barrel distortion that requires in-camera correction, its overall performance and feature set make it an excellent choice for Sony APS-C shooters looking for a fast, high-quality wide-angle prime.

Best Wide-angle Lens for Video: Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G

The Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G is a compact, lightweight, and versatile wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for video work on Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras. With a power zoom function and a constant f/4 aperture, this lens offers smooth, silent, and precise zooming, making it ideal for vlogging, interviews, and general video production.

The lens features 11 elements in 8 groups, delivering excellent image quality with minimal distortion and aberrations. The power zoom can be controlled via the lens ring, the zoom lever, or even remotely using the optional grip and a mobile app, providing a range of options for different shooting situations. The lens also includes an AF/MF switch and a customizable focus hold button for added control.

Despite its small size, the Sony E PZ 10-20mm F4 G is built to high standards, with weather sealing and a solid construction. While the power zoom may be less ideal for still photography, and the lens lacks an aperture control ring and optical stabilization, its overall performance and feature set make it an excellent choice for videographers using Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras.

Conclusion:

Sony’s mirrorless camera system offers a wide range of high-quality wide-angle lens options for both full-frame and APS-C formats. From premium zooms like the Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM to affordable primes like the Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN | C, there is a lens to suit every photographer’s needs and budget. When choosing a wide-angle lens, consider factors such as focal length, aperture, size, weight, and specific features that may benefit your style of photography or videography. With the right wide-angle lens, you can capture stunning, expansive scenes and unleash your creativity with your Sony mirrorless camera.