6 Canon wide-angle lenses (for all pockets)

💡 Don’t miss our Canon Compatibility Checker, an online tool to check if your Canon camera is compatible with these lenses.

I bring you a series of angular lenses for Canon because we know that choose a target it is a difficult task. Especially since you are surely looking for a lens after realizing that your kit lens has not quite lived up to your learning curve.

Do not misunderstand, the goal of the kit usually you go pearls when you start in the world of photography and you have no idea. And I assure you that it can be squeezed to perfection and that you can learn a lot from it.

But as in everything, we tend to evolve and realize that this goal is no longer enough for us. Either we realize that what we are really passionate about is the landscape and we have a telephoto lens, or we simply want to extend our focal range.

Be that as it may, today we are going to lend you a hand if what you are looking for is a wide angle lens for Canon, this is our list for today.

1. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f:4.5-5.6 IS STM
2. Canon EF20mm f/2.8 USM
3. Canon Pancake EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
4. Sigma 24mm/F 1.4 DG HSM Art
5. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Pro DX2
6. Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DC HSM

But before…

What is an Angular lens?

An angular lens is one that has an angle of view of approximately 110º to 60º, and a focal length between 8mm and 25mm. This means that it has the ability to cover a wide angle of the scene, but not only that, it has other features that should be known.

• depth of field: One of the characteristics of Wide Angle lenses is their high depth of field that allows us to have most of the planes in the image in focus.

• Distortion: another of its main characteristics is the distortion it causes in the lines, especially those closest to the borders of the image, where they seem to narrow. Planes closer to the target are more affected by this distortion than those further away.
• Greater viewing angle: large viewing angles allow us to include more elements in the scene, including light, so be careful with the flare or stray light 😉
• Distance between planes: The wide angle lens accentuates the distance between different planes, which means that things appear to be much farther apart than they really are.

How do you know if what you need is a wide angle lens?

To know if it is really a wide angle lens what you are looking for, you must first ask yourself What kind of photography would you like to do? Because the objectives “speak”, they not only bring us closer or further apart, that also implies a way of composing, of narrating stories that are totally different from each other.

A wide angle lens is a classic for day or night landscapes, but it is also a classic for documentary photography, because provides us with contextor for architectural elements, travel photography, event photography, interior photography, street photographyetc.

With that said, let’s look at a selection of lenses for Canon.

1. For its incredible value for money: Canon EF-S 10-18mm f:4.5-5.6 IS STM

It is a very versatile lens, light and with a stabilizer. the opinions about it are very positive, and for price, an option to take into account.

• Focus: 10-18mm
• Diaphragm blades: 7
• Viewing angle (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 97°10′ – 64°30′, 74°10′ – 45°30′, 107°30′ – 74°20′
• Minimum focus distance: 0.22m
• Image Stabilizer: 4.0
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
• Minimum aperture: f/22-29
• Filter diameter: 67mm
• Weight: 240g
• Price: N/A

Advantage

It is light, has an optical stabilizer, good sharpness, weighs little, is very versatile and has very good user reviews. For quality and price, hard to beat.

drawbacks

The construction of the lens may seem unsturdy.

2. A bright prime lens: Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM

A large diaphragm opening like f/2.8 gives this fixed lens great brightness for those of you who enjoy working without a flash and without a tripod 😉

• Focus: 20mm
• Diaphragm blades: 5
• Viewing angle (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 84°, 62°, 94°
• Minimum focus distance: 0.25m
• Image Stabilizer: No
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Filter diameter: 72mm
• Weight: 405gr
• Price: N/A

Advantage

Without a doubt, the brightness of this lens is its strong point, but its focus speed and the fact that it incorporates elements to correct spherical aberrations and to eliminate chromatic aberrations also stand out.

drawbacks

Keep in mind that the greater the opening you work, the more aberrations it has.

3. A small, lightweight fixed lens at an unbeatable price: Canon Pancake EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

We are not lucky enough to know each other personally but we do have Caro, who dedicated a few words to him here. This lens is very small, very light, it has a not inconsiderable luminosity and you can find it at a very, very good price.

• Focus: 24mm
• Diaphragm blades: 7
• Viewing angle (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 59º 10′, 50º 35′, 34º 55′
• Minimum focus distance: 0.16m
• Image Stabilizer: No
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Filter diameter: 52mm
• Weight: 125g
• Price: N/A

Advantage

For price and size it seems to me an objective that you should not hesitate to have.

Disadvantages

It is not compatible with Full Frame cameras, only for APS-C sensors.

4. Quality and brightness of 10: Sigma 24 mm/F 1.4 DG HSM Art

This is my personal recommendation for lens build quality, and brightness, for a 24mm prime. At the time I reviewed it here, you can take a look to see it in depth.

• Focus: 24mm
• Diaphragm Blades: 9
• View angle: 84º
• Minimum focus distance: 0.25m
• Image Stabilizer: No
• Maximum aperture: f/1.4
• Minimum aperture: f/16
• Filter diameter: 77mm
• Weight: 665g
• Price: €750.99

Advantage

I attest that the quality of this lens is incredible, it is robust, it is well built, the brightness it has is incredible, it allows you to work with it in very low light situations, and it is also very versatile.

Disadvantages

A robust lens often brings with it a weight problem. It is not a light lens and for some, 665g may be too heavy. If you like to travel light, this is not your goal. The price also makes you think twice before going for it. Although it has gone down, the Art series is not exactly low cost. Although notice, it does not disappoint 😉

5. Rugged and bright, the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Pro DX2

It has very good opinions from its users regarding the quality of its construction and sharpness and color results. Its large aperture makes it ideal for night and interior photography, and its wide angle of view perfect for capturing landscapes or architectural elements.

• Focus: 11-16mm
• Diaphragm blades: 9
• Horizontal viewing angle: 104º – 82º
• Minimum focus distance: 30cm
• Image Stabilizer: No
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Filter diameter: 77mm
• Weight: 560g
• Price: N/A

Advantage

Very good value for money for those looking for a well-constructed wide-angle, with a wide angle, some zoom and, above all, very bright. Ideal for night photography.

drawbacks

Not a light target 😉

6. A bright zoom: Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DC HSM

A well-constructed and bright zoom, with many users in the world of video thanks to its brightness (it offers 1.8 aperture throughout the zoom range), blur and focal range. A very versatile optic and of very good quality to take into account.

• Focus: 18-35mm
• Diaphragm blades: 9
• View angle: 76.5º
• Minimum focus distance: 28cm
• Image Stabilizer: No
• Maximum aperture: f/1.8
• Minimum aperture: f/16
• Filter diameter: 72mm
• Weight: 810g
• Price: €769.00

Advantage

The focal range, brightness and build quality are the strengths of this lens, giving you impressive versatility.

Disadvantages

The weight, without a doubt. Its 810g make it not suitable for those who enjoy lightness ;). It is only suitable for APS-C cameras.