Best APS-C Wide-Angle Zoom Lenses

This lens is an exceptionally wide APS-C optic with a very impressive image quality. Itu2019s a solid build and is in fact quite heavy. It mounts with a range of cameras but due to the front element, you canu2019t use filters with this lens. Want to know more? Read our full review of the Sigma 8-16mm F/4.5-5.6 DC HSM.

This lens provides good quality image and can be set to a constant aperture of f/4 creating smooth bokeh areas. It is quite weighty at 530g and itu2019s not as wide angled as some of the competitors. Want to know more? Read our full review of the Tokina AT-X 12-28mm F/4 PRO DX.

This lens is one of the more affordable wide-angle lenses and with a constant aperture of f/3.5 it creates a pleasing background. Itu2019s not as sharp as other lenses weu2019ve reviewed but has many good qualities. Want to know more? Read our full review of the Sigma 10-20mm F/3.5 EX DC HSM.

This lightweight lens has a constant f/4 aperture that provides good image quality. It is quite expensive compared to itu2019s rivals and it has no AF motor so focusing is noisy but it operates at a good speed. Want to know more? Read our full review of the Pentax DA 12-24mm F/4 ED .

Canonu2019s ultra-wide offering is very impressive, with excellent edge sharpness for this type of lens. There is a small amount of chromatic aberration at the edges, but this can be easily fixed in RAW editing software such as Adobe Lightroom. At just 385g this is a light lens in the wide-angle group by quite a margin, and thatu2019s a very important feature for landscape lenses.

The Tamron 10-24mm offers a large focal range and a variable f/3.5-4.5 aperture. However, it doesnu2019t offer a built-in focusing motor and emits some buzzes and whirs while focusing. The lack of an AF motor also means that it wonu2019t be able to autofocus when mounted on Nikon bodies without their own AF motors. Focusing itself was slower than the others on test, with a noticeable delay as the lens elements move within the lens u2013 not a problem shooting landscapes, but not ideal for action shots or portraits. At 406g itu2019s quite a light lens but it maintains a sturdy build and a high-end feel which extends to the zoom and focus rings.

This 10-24mm lens, offers an expansive focal range, giving a 15-36mm equivalent (after Nikonu2019s 1.5x crop factor). Youu2019ll get a variable aperture range of f/3.5-4.5 and the Nikon 10-24mm also offers Nikonu2019s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) which supplies quick, responsive and silent focus with the motor also allowing AF functionality on Nikon bodies without an in-built AF motor, such as the D5100 or D3200. In terms of weight, the Nikon 10-24mm sits squarely in the middle of the pack at 460g. Itu2019s nicely weighted with a smooth operation from the zoom and focusing rings, but this high-quality feel shouldnu2019t be surprising as itu2019s quite expensive. Overall, itu2019s a lens that performs well, but it's difficult to justify the high price tag.