Best Lens for Landscape Photography

Short answer: Which lens is best for landscape photography?

A wide-angle zoom that covers roughly 14mm to 35mm is the usual best choice, and f/4 is enough because landscapes are normally shot at f/8 to f/11. Pick the one made for your mount: the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S, Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II, or Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR for APS-C. Weight, filter size and weather sealing then decide between close rivals.

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What makes a good landscape lens?

How do the main wide-angle zooms compare?

The figures come from the makers' pages and specification databases. Check each manufacturer's page for current details.

Sources: Nikon's Z 14-30mm f/4 S page, Canon Europe's RF 14-35mm specifications, Wikipedia on the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II and Fujifilm's XF 10-24mm specifications.

Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

This is the EF-mount stabilised wide zoom for Canon DSLRs, and it also fits mirrorless bodies with an adapter. See the Canon 16–35mm f/4L IS USM listing, or check today's deals.

Nikon AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

The AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR is Nikon's stabilised wide zoom for DSLRs. See the Nikon AF-S 16–35mm f/4G ED VR listing.

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

For Sony users, the 16–35mm f/2.8 GM II offers a wider f/2.8 aperture than the f/4 zooms, which helps at dawn, dusk and for night skies. It is also slightly heavier than the Nikon and Canon alternatives.

Which lens should you choose?

More landscape lenses by mount

These options come from the earlier version of this guide. Check each lens page for the current specifications.

Best landscape lenses for DSLRs:

• Best Canon APS-C landscape lens: Canon EF-S 10–22mm f/3.5–4.5 USM — buy now
• Best Canon DSLR landscape lens: Canon EF 11–24mm f/4L USM — buy now
• Best Nikon DSLR landscape lens: Nikon AF-S 16–35mm f/4G ED VR — buy now
• Best Pentax landscape lens: Pentax DA* HD 11–18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW — buy now

Best mirrorless landscape lenses:

• Best RF-mount landscape lens: Canon RF 14–35mm f/4 L IS USM — buy now
• Best Nikon Z landscape lens: Nikon Z 14–30mm f/4 S — buy now
• Best professional Nikon Z landscape lens: Nikon Z 14–24mm f/2.8 S — buy now
• Best Sony landscape photography lens: Sony FE 12–24mm F4 G — buy now
• Best L-mount landscape lens: Sigma 16–28mm f/2.8 DG DN C — buy now
• Best Sony APS-C landscape lens: Sony E 10–18mm F4 OSS — buy now
• Best Fujifilm landscape lens: Fujifilm XF 10–24mm F4 R OIS WR — buy now
• Best Micro Four Thirds landscape lens: Panasonic 8–18mm f/2.8–4 ASPH Vario — buy now
• Best Olympus landscape lens: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7–14mm f/2.8 PRO — buy now
• Best mirrorless APS-C landscape lens: Tamron 11–20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD — buy now

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For brand-specific buying advice, see our guides to wide-angle lenses for Canon mirrorless, wide-angle lenses for Nikon Z, budget wide-angle lenses for Sony full frame, prime lenses for landscapes and Fujifilm X-mount lenses. If you are still choosing a body, see the best camera for landscape photography.

How do you get sharp landscape photos?

Guides from Digital Photography School and iPhotography agree on several points:

• Stop down to f/8 to f/11. Most wide lenses are sharpest there, and corner softness fades compared with wide open.
• Avoid very small apertures. Past about f/16, diffraction softens the image.
• Use hyperfocal focusing. A wider lens makes it easier. One guide gives about 0.9 m for a 16mm lens at f/11. Check the foreground at high magnification in live view.
• Remember the sensor. For APS-C, hyperfocal distances are multiplied by about 1.5, and for Micro Four Thirds by about 2.
• Use a tripod. A stable base allows low ISO and slow shutter speeds.

To learn how aperture, shutter speed and ISO interact, see the exposure triangle explained. If the lens names are confusing, camera lenses explained decodes them.

Mistakes to avoid when buying a landscape lens

1. Paying for f/2.8 you will not use. Landscapes are mostly shot at f/8 to f/11, so an f/4 zoom is usually enough unless you shoot the night sky.
2. Ignoring filter size. An 82mm thread needs larger, more expensive filters than a 72mm one.
3. Buying the widest lens only. Very wide angles stretch the edges and shrink distant peaks.
4. Forgetting the mount. An EF lens fits a mirrorless body only with an adapter.
5. Skipping weather sealing. Rain and spray ruin a hike with an unsealed body or lens.

Frequently asked questions

What focal length is best for landscape photography? A range of about 14mm to 35mm covers most scenes on full frame. Wider lenses suit big skies and foregrounds, and longer ones isolate distant peaks.

Is f/4 good enough for landscapes? Yes for most daytime work, because landscapes are usually shot at f/8 to f/11 for sharpness. f/2.8 helps at dawn, dusk and for night skies.

What aperture is best for landscape sharpness? Sources point to f/8 to f/11 for most lenses. Smaller apertures can cause diffraction.

Do I need a tripod for landscapes? A tripod helps with low ISO, slow shutter speeds and consistent framing, especially at dawn and dusk.

Can I use a DSLR lens on a mirrorless camera? Usually, with an adapter. Check that the adapter keeps autofocus and stabilization for your body.

Cover photo by Muhammad Bilal Shaikh on Unsplash.

Photo by Jessica Anderson on Unsplash