APS-C, or crop frame DSLRs, use a reduced-size sensor, which allows manufacturers to keep the cost of the cameras lower.
However, these sensors are 1.5, 1.6, or 2 times smaller than a full frame sensor (which is equivalent to a 35mm strip of film), so conventional wide-angle lenses become standard lenses.
To this end, manufacturers have started producing lenses specifically designed for APS-C cameras. These lenses are super-wide (to allow for focal length conversion), and they are designed in cheaper materials to keep costs down. Click the link to see a list of some of the best wide-angle lenses for APS-C DSLR cameras, such as the Nikon 10-24mm AF-S Nikkor (pictured here).
Photo courtesy Nikon
Comments
Hello there, first of all I want to congratulate you for this review but I want to ask you what is the best camera with the best wide-angle lenses.
Jackie
Thanks for the note – your question has a couple of potential answers.
First, if you’re using an interchangeable lens camera, the lenses listed in this story will be very good options. However, such cameras are aimed more at intermediate and advanced users.
Second, if you’re more of a beginning photographer and you’re looking for a point and shoot camera – where the lens cannot be changed and is built as a permanent part of the camera – you’ll want to look at the camera’s list of specifications, primarily the optical zoom measurement. As part of that listing, you’ll usually see a number like “10X (25-250mm)”. For the camera’s wide-angle capabilities, you’ll want to look at the lower number on the “mm” measurement, which would be “25mm” in the example I listed.
Anything below 35mm will give you some wide-angle capabilities, and the lower the number, the more wide angle capabilities at which the camera can shoot.
Few point and shoot cameras can shoot extreme wide angle – finding a point and shoot camera with a wide angle capability below 24mm is rare. So, if you’re looking for extreme wide angle photography, you’ll have to upgrade to an interchangeable lens camera, such as a DSLR or DIL, and look for a wide angle lens, ultra wide angle lens, or a fish-eye lens.
Hope that helps & good luck!