The Best Canon Wide-Angle Lens for 2024
What is the ultimate Canon full-frame wide-angle lens?
- Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
- Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM Lens
- Canon RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
- Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens
- Adapt one of the Best Canon Wide-Angle DSLR Lenses
What is the ultimate Canon APS-C wide-angle lens?
- Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
- Adapt one of the Best Canon Wide-Angle DSLR Lenses
Do you own a Canon DSLR camera?
Our Best Canon Wide-Angle DSLR Lens recommendations page has your recommendations.
About Canon Wide-Angle Lenses
You want a wide-angle (35mm focal length or wider) or an ultra-wide-angle (24mm or wider) lens to photograph the big scene, to capture a smaller scene in a limited amount of space, or, my favorite use, to create a close-to-subject perspective that gives the viewer a sense of presence in the image.
Since most of us have at least one general-purpose/standard zoom lens that has wide-angle focal lengths built-in (a 15-45mm lens or 24-70mm lens, for example), an additional wide-angle lens is needed to gain even wider angles of view. If your standard zoom has an f/2.8 max aperture, you may also desire a fixed focal length/prime wide-angle lens to gain a wider aperture.
I very frequently encounter the need for focal lengths wider than those in my standard zoom lens and seldom go on a shoot without having the wide angles covered. Some specific subjects requiring a wide-angle lens include landscape, real estate/architecture, and interior photography. Interiors can include those of a building, vehicle, aircraft, etc.
Full frame format camera owners have many more lens options available for their wide and ultra-wide-angle needs than APS-C format camera owners. APS-C format body owners can use full-frame lenses (they will work great), but most do not provide an angle of view wider than the 17mm- or 18mm-something APS-C standard zooms.
Here is what the full-frame 15-35mm focal length range, my suggested full-frame wide-angle lens focal length range, looks like:
The Best Canon Full-Frame Wide-Angle Mirrorless Lenses
1. Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
The Entire Package: Impressive image quality and Overall Performance, Wide Aperture, the Right Focal Lengths, Image Stabilization, Pro-Grade Build
The Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens is my go-to general-purpose wide-angle zoom lens. This lens is the right choice for a very high percentage of photography needs, from landscapes to portraits and from night skies to weddings, with most needs between covered.
Few want to compromise image quality, and this L-series lens delivers greatness in that regard. Fast and accurate AF? That box is checked. Pro-grade, weather-sealed build quality? Ruggedness is built in. High-performing image stabilzation is there for you when the tripod is not.
2. Canon RF 14-35mm F4 L IS USM Lens
Great image quality and Overall Performance, Compact Size, Light Weight, Great Focal Length Range, Image Stabilization, Pro-Grade Build
If the sibling RF 15-35's f/2.8 aperture is not needed, the RF 14-35 provides a longer focal length range, a lighter weight, a smaller size, and a lower price. This is a great lens to take on landscape photography outings.
3. Canon RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
Compact, Lighweight, Affordable
The Canon RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens fills the affordable, compact, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens position in the RF lens lineup, and the well-featured Canon RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens is a good option for that role.
Is this the highest-performing ultra-wide-angle RF zoom lens available? No. Is this the smallest, lightest, and most affordable ultra-wide-angle RF zoom lens available at review time? Yes, and the Canon RF 15-30mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens is the right choice when those factors are the most important.
4. Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM Lens
Incredibly Wide Focal Lengths, Compact and Lightweight, Image Stabilization, Professional-Grade Build Quality
Having access to the 10-20mm focal length range is differentiating, facilitating creativity and permitting problem-solving not previously available in-camera. Ultimately, this lens enables dramatic, exciting, and powerful imagery that stands out from the mundane.
This lens is also extremely fun to use.
5. Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM Lens
Great Wide-Angle Focal Length, Compact, Lightweight, Affordable, Wide Aperture, Great Value
This inexpensive little lens produces very sharp imagery across most of the frame. Canon forces rectilinear correction of the RF 16's near fisheye-grade barrel distortion, but the stretched corners still have decent image quality, especially for the size, weight, and price of this lens. The RF 16 is a good budget and small footprint, lightweight choice.
6. Adapt a lens from the The Best Canon Wide-Angle Lens List
Large Selection, Excellent Options
Addressing APS-C Wide-Angle Mirrorless Lenses
Those with an APS-C format camera do not need the wider image circle provided by a full-frame lens. With a smaller image circle requirement, APS-C lenses can be smaller, lighter, and less expensive. Thus, it makes sense to match the lens to the camera.
The selection of wide-angle lenses with focal lengths wider than the 14-18mm found in normal zoom lenses is somewhat limited for Canon APS-C format mirrorless camera owners.
Here is the APS-C 10-18mm and 10-22mm focal length range illustrated:
The Best Canon APS-C Wide-Angle Mirrorless Lenses
1. Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
Compact, Ultra Light, Affordable, Quiet, Efficient Focal Length Range, Image Stabilization
Small, light, and affordable are always in style, and the Canon RF-S 18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens is all about providing the ultra-wide-angle focal length range in a diminutive, ultralight, low-cost package.
Note that this lens has extreme barrel distortion at the wide end that requires software correction.
2. Adapt a lens from the The Best Canon Wide-Angle DSLR Lens List
Huge Selection, Excellent Options
Visit the Canon Lens Recommendations page for more lens selection advice.
