10 Best Canon Wide Angle Lenses 2025 in the United States

The Samyang 12mm F2.0 AF lens is a strong option for Canon RF-S users who want an ultra-wide-angle prime lens that performs well in many conditions. Its 12mm focal length offers a very wide 99.1° field of view, making it great for capturing expansive landscapes, interiors, and night skies. The fast f/2.0 aperture stands out in low-light situations, allowing for clearer shots without needing very high ISO, and it also helps create a nice background blur when desired. Optical quality is high, thanks to multiple special lens elements and coatings that reduce distortion, chromatic aberration, and flare — common challenges with ultra-wide lenses. Autofocus is smooth, quick, and quiet due to the Linear STM motor, which is especially useful if you switch between photography and video.

The lens is compact and lightweight, which is a big plus for travel or outdoor use, and its weather sealing adds durability and reliability in different conditions. However, it lacks built-in image stabilization, which means you might need a steady hand or tripod for longer exposures or video. While its build is solid, the compact size and prime design mean it’s less versatile than zoom lenses for those needing multiple focal lengths. This lens suits photographers who prioritize wide-angle quality, low-light ability, and portability over zoom flexibility or stabilization.

The Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM Lens is a compact and lightweight ultra wide-angle prime lens specifically designed for Canon's EOS R series mirrorless cameras. One of its key strengths is its 16mm focal length, which is ideal for capturing expansive scenes and is particularly useful for landscape photography and vlogging. The bright, fixed f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent performance in low light conditions and creates a beautiful background blur for your subjects.

The built-in stepping motor (STM) ensures smooth and quiet autofocus, which is great for video recording. Additionally, it has a minimum focusing distance of just 5.11 inches, allowing for close-up shots with a maximum magnification of 0.26x. This lens is also highly portable, weighing only 5.7 ounces and having a compact design that makes it easy to carry around.

However, the lens does have some drawbacks. While the image quality is generally high, there can be noticeable distortion at the edges of photos, which is common in ultra wide-angle lenses. Additionally, it lacks advanced weather sealing, which might be a concern for photographers who shoot in challenging weather conditions. Despite these minor issues, the Canon RF16mm F2.8 STM Lens is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile and high-quality wide-angle lens that is easy to transport and performs well in various shooting scenarios.

The Samyang 14mm F2.8 lens offers a true ultra-wide 14mm focal length with a bright f/2.8 aperture, making it great for capturing dramatic landscapes, architecture, and creative wide scenes. Its wide 115° field of view provides immersive shots that work well on both full-frame and APS-C Canon cameras. The lens is manual focus only, which might be challenging if you need quick autofocus, but the smooth focus ring and close focusing distance (around 10.8 inches) allow for precise control and creative close-up shots. It does not have image stabilization, so using a tripod is recommended for sharp photos in low light or longer exposures.

Samyang uses special glass elements to reduce distortion and chromatic aberration, helping produce sharp and vibrant images from corner to corner. The built-in AE chip helps the camera meter exposure correctly, so you won't have issues with exposure settings. Build quality is solid with a petal-shaped lens hood to reduce flare and protect the lens, although it is relatively lightweight and compact for easy use outdoors or in the studio.

This lens is best suited for photographers who prioritize image quality and wide angles but don’t mind manual focusing and the absence of image stabilization. It represents a budget-friendly option for enthusiasts and professionals wanting a high-quality ultra-wide perspective without the higher cost of autofocus lenses.