Tag: sony wide angle lens

The 10 Best Sony Wide Angle Lenses I’ve Ever Used 2024

Wide-angle lenses are essential for capturing expansive landscapes, cityscapes, and unique perspectives. Whether you’re into photography or videography, having the right wide-angle lens can elevate your shots to a whole new level. After years of testing various Sony lenses—native, third-party options like Tamron, Sigma, and Samyang—I’ve compiled this list of the best wide-angle lenses for Sony in 2024. Here’s a deep dive into their performance, value, and versatility.

1. Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM

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If you’re looking for the perfect combination of sharpness, low-light performance, and portability, the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM is a no-brainer. This lens is a top-tier performer for astrophotography, weddings, landscapes, and more. The sharpness is unparalleled, and the bokeh is dreamy. Weighing just under a pound, it’s light and compact, making it perfect for long shoots. Though it’s pricey, the quality you get justifies every penny. It’s an absolute must-have if you’re serious about wide-angle photography.

Pros: Incredible sharpness, lightweight, excellent low-light performance

Cons: Moderately expensive

2. Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS

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This hidden gem is often overlooked but deserves to be at the top of the list. Made for APS-C sensors, it works surprisingly well on full-frame Sony cameras. With optical image stabilization, it’s perfect for vloggers or anyone looking to capture ultra-wide shots without breaking the bank. At just around $300, it’s the best budget-friendly wide-angle lens out there.

Pros: Budget-friendly, versatile zoom range, stabilization

Cons: F/4 aperture can be limiting in extreme low light

3. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

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The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM is a workhorse lens for professionals. While it’s on the pricier side, its fast aperture and incredible image quality make it worth it for those with deeper pockets. It’s fantastic for landscapes, architecture, and even portraits. However, its steep price point and the weight make it less ideal for those looking for a more affordable option.

Pros: Fantastic image quality, versatile focal range

Cons: Very Expensive

4. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art Lens

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The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art lens is known for its stunning image quality, particularly for astrophotography. The downside? It’s big and heavy. If you don’t mind the weight, this lens is an absolute beast for creating vivid, sharp, and well-defined images, especially in low light.

Pros: Exceptional image quality, great for astrophotography

Cons: Heavy, expensive

5. Sony 16-35mm f/4 Zeiss

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This is one of the most reliable wide-angle zooms out there. Lightweight, sharp, and with a great focal range, it’s a fantastic companion for hikers, travelers, or anyone who needs a dependable lens for different scenarios. It may not be as fast as the f/2.8 version, but it’s still plenty sharp.

Pros: Lightweight, reliable, sharp

Cons: F/4 aperture can be limiting in extreme low light

6. Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8

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If you’re on a budget but still want quality, the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is an excellent choice. It’s lightweight and performs well in various scenarios. While 17mm isn’t as wide as some other lenses on this list, it’s still perfect for landscape photography or vlogging.

Pros: Affordable, lightweight, great for vlogging

Cons: Not as wide as other lenses

7. Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 Auto Focus

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The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is an autofocus version of the Samyang 14mm, offering a more modern experience. It’s affordable, ultra-wide, and lightweight, making it ideal for real estate photography, landscapes, or astrophotography. However, the autofocus system is a bit loud, which can be annoying for video work.

Pros: Wide, affordable

Cons: Noisy autofocus

8. Sony 12-24mm f/4

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For those who need an ultra-wide lens for landscapes, the Sony 12-24mm f/4 is a fantastic choice. It’s sharp, reliable, and versatile. However, its high price tag can be a barrier for many, especially considering its f/4 aperture. If you can find it used, though, it’s a worthwhile addition to your kit.

Pros: Ultra-wide, sharp

Cons: Heavy, expensive

9. Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Manual Focus

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If you’re comfortable with manual focus and want a bargain, the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 is your best bet. It’s extremely affordable and delivers good image quality for the price. However, the manual focus can be a dealbreaker for many, especially when shooting fast-paced environments.

Pros: Very affordable

Cons: Manual focus can be limiting

10. Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art

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This is probably the heaviest lens on the list, and while the image quality is stellar, it’s just too bulky for most users. It’s also expensive, making it hard to recommend over lighter, more affordable options. For those reasons, it ranks last on our list.

Pros: Excellent image quality

Cons: Heavy, expensive

Final Thoughts
Every photographer has different needs when it comes to wide-angle lenses, and while some prioritize sharpness and low-light performance, others may prioritize affordability and portability. The Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM stands out as the best all-around performer, while the Sony 10-18mm f/4 OSS offers unbeatable value for budget-conscious buyers. If you’re looking for specialized lenses, like for astrophotography, the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art is your go-to.

Check out the product links above (affiliate) for the best deals, and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Sony 10-18mm f/4 vs. Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF: Which Lens is Best for Full Frame Vlogging?

When it comes to vlogging on a full-frame camera, choosing the right lens can make a significant difference in the quality and style of your footage. Today, we’re comparing the Sony 10-18mm f/4 and the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF lenses to help you decide which one best suits your needs for vlogging. Both lenses offer unique strengths, and we’ll be testing them for stabilization, autofocus, and overall usability. Let’s dive into the comparison.

Stabilization Test: Walking and Running

The first test focuses on how stable each lens performs while walking and running, two common movements in vlogs.

Sony 10-18mm f/4
The Sony 10-18mm lens features optical stabilization, which is a major plus when it comes to handheld shooting. During the walking test, it delivered noticeably smoother footage. The wider angle (even though it’s an APS-C lens) gave it a natural advantage in stabilization, making it feel less shaky even during more aggressive movements like running.

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF
The Rokinon 14mm lacks built-in stabilization, which resulted in footage that felt a bit more shaky when walking. While the video was still usable, the shake became more pronounced during the running test. Although the lens was able to keep up, it wasn’t as smooth as the 10-18mm.

Verdict: If stabilization is important for your vlogging setup, the Sony 10-18mm is the better choice. It’s wider, has built-in stabilization, and handles movement more effectively.

Autofocus Performance: Speed and Accuracy

Next, we tested how fast and accurately the autofocus locks onto subjects in a vlogging environment, where switching focus quickly between yourself and the background is essential.

Sony 10-18mm f/4
The autofocus performance on the 10-18mm was quick and reliable, handling the focus shifts between the vlogger and the background well. There was a slight misfocus once, but it was due to the wide-angle nature of the lens—it kept part of the face in the frame when it shouldn’t have. Even with that, the overall speed and accuracy were impressive.

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF
The Rokinon 14mm was a bit slower when it came to switching focus between the subject and the background. It took longer to lock onto the background in comparison to the Sony lens, which could be a drawback if you need to switch focus quickly while vlogging.

Verdict: The Sony 10-18mm lens wins again here, especially for vloggers who need fast and accurate autofocus while moving around or switching scenes frequently.

Image Quality: Field of View and Low Light

Both lenses produce great image quality, but there are key differences in how they handle certain scenarios.

Sony 10-18mm f/4
Since the 10-18mm is an APS-C lens, using it on a full-frame camera in crop mode affects the final image. However, it still offers a very wide field of view, which is perfect for capturing expansive backgrounds or fitting more into your frame when vlogging. The f/4 aperture isn’t the best for low-light situations, but it’s more than capable for well-lit environments, especially if you prioritize smoothness over bokeh.

Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 lens shines in low-light situations, thanks to its wider aperture. This makes it the better option if you’re shooting in darker environments or if you want to capture astrophotography with beautiful background blur (bokeh). It also has a full-frame design, so you get the full field of view without having to crop, making it ideal for those who want the maximum use of their camera’s sensor.

Verdict: If you’re after low-light performance or creamy bokeh, the Rokinon 14mm is the way to go. For general vlogging, the Sony 10-18mm still holds its own, especially in brighter environments.

Conclusion: Which Lens is Right for You?

Choosing between the Sony 10-18mm f/4 and the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF ultimately comes down to your vlogging style and priorities:

  • Go with the Sony 10-18mm f/4 if stabilization, autofocus speed, and a wider field of view are critical for your setup. It’s an excellent option for vlogging, especially if you prioritize smooth footage and shoot in well-lit environments. Plus, it’s the more affordable option, making it a great value.
  • Go with the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF if you need superior low-light performance or want to create cinematic bokeh. It’s an excellent choice for creative shots that benefit from a wider aperture and full-frame coverage. However, be prepared to deal with some shake if you’re vlogging on the go.

Both lenses are strong performers, so your decision should be based on your specific needs. If you’re a casual vlogger looking for an affordable, versatile lens, the Sony 10-18mm is likely your best bet. On the other hand, if you need a lens for more professional, low-light situations, the Rokinon 14mm is hard to beat.

Here are the affiliate links to both lenses if you’re ready to make a decision:

Both lenses are great tools, and with either choice, you’ll be well-equipped for your next adventure!