12 Best Wide Angle Prime Lenses for Nikon in 2024

When using the best wide-angle prime lens for Nikon, you’re guaranteed a wide field of view, sharp optical quality, and other useful features. Wide-angle primes are essential for photographers wanting to improve their landscape, architectural, and even indoor photography by offering a broader perspective.

Our top picks are the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S and Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED. Both have been chosen for their exceptional sharpness, low-light performance, and lightweight design.

Don’t worry if these aren’t the lenses for you. We have ten more fantastic wide-angle prime lenses for Nikon Z-mount and Nikon F-mount cameras. Keep reading to find out more. 

What Is the Best Wide-Angle Prime Lens for Nikon Z?

When selecting the best wide-angle prime lens for Nikon Z, sharpness, low-light performance, and portability should be your top considerations.

Our list includes Nikon and Sigma lenses, chosen for their ability to capture expansive scenes with minimal distortion and excellent optical quality.

These lenses are ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural photography, offering a range of focal lengths and apertures to suit various shooting conditions.

Our Favorite Wide-Angle Prime Lenses for Nikon Z

Let’s take a closer look at our favorite wide-angle Prime lenses for Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras.

With options ranging from the Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S to the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN | C, there’s a lens for every shooting scenario, ensuring you capture stunning, expansive views with professional results.

The Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S is a brilliant prime lens for photographers who need a wide angle with impressive sharpness and low-light performance. Its 20mm focal length is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or tight indoor spaces.

The lens’s wide f/1.8 aperture allows for more light, making it great for evening or indoor shots. It also helps create a shallow depth of field, adding depth to photos.

Its optical construction includes Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements, which reduce chromatic aberrations and ensure colors are accurate and clear. This lens boasts minimal distortion, which is important for architectural photography where straight lines need to stay straight.

The lens is lightweight at just 1.1 lb (505 g), making it easy to carry on long shoots or travels. Its compact form makes it an easy fit for any good camera day bag. 

Its closest focusing distance is 7.8 inches (20 cm), which is good for wide-angle close-ups but not true macro photography.

However, it does not have image stabilization. Photographers using it in low light will need to rely on higher ISOs or the camera’s stabilization. 

The Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S is the best place to start if you need a wide-angle prime for your Nikon mirrorless camera.

Another fantastic wide-angle prime lens, the Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is a must-have for Nikon mirrorless users. The 24mm focal length is slightly tighter than the previous lens but still lets you capture broad scenes for landscape, architecture, or travel photography. 

A fast f/1.8 maximum aperture gives you excellent exposure control, allowing you to work in low light without having to increase your ISO. You also get better depth of field control, helping you create a smooth bokeh background. 

Several ED elements keep chromatic aberration and distortion at bay. A Nano Crystal coating also reduces flare and ghosting, meaning you get perfect clarity from corner to corner. 

A 72 mm filter thread allows you to use circular photography filters for practical effects. The custom control ring gives you more hands-on settings control. And the dust and drip-resistant build allows you to work outside in less-than-perfect conditions. 

The Nikon Z 24mm f/1.8 S is a great option for photographers looking for a versatile wide-angle prime lens. 

The Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 is a compact, lightweight lens that’s perfect for photographers on the move. Its 28mm focal length captures wide scenes with ease, making it ideal for landscapes and cityscapes.

Despite its small size, it delivers sharp images with minimal distortion, a key factor for quality wide-angle shots. Optically, it includes elements that reduce chromatic aberrations, ensuring colors are vivid and true to life.

The lens’s f/2.8 aperture performs well in low light, allowing for clear shots even in dim settings.

Weighing just 155 g, it’s incredibly easy to carry, ensuring your bag stays light. However, its lack of weather sealing means extra care is needed during outdoor shoots. 

The Nikon Z 28mm f/2.8 is a good option for those who value simplicity and portability. Its optical performance is solid for its class, making it a useful tool for capturing wide-angle views without the bulk.

The Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 is a compact, lightweight, and affordable wide-angle prime, making it the perfect choice for street and travel photography. Its 26mm focal length offers a wide perspective, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and bustling city scenes.

Despite its small size, this lens does not compromise on image quality, delivering sharp, clear images with minimal distortion. The f/2.8 aperture performs well in low light, providing flexibility in various shooting conditions.

Weighing just 125 grams, it’s incredibly lightweight. And the pancake-lens design ensures photographers can carry it all day without discomfort. The weather sealing is a big advantage, offering peace of mind when shooting in unpredictable outdoor conditions. However, the autofocus could be quicker and quieter, which is something to consider, especially for video work.

The Nikon Z 26mm f/2.8 is a useful lens for photographers prioritizing portability without sacrificing image quality. Its optical performance, combined with its durable build and weather sealing, makes it a good option for a wide range of photography styles.

The Nikon DX Z 24mm f/1.7 is the best wide-angle prime lens for APS-C Nikon cameras. It’s lightweight, compact, and has a more-than-reasonable price tag. 

Due to the crop factor of an APS-C lens, the 24mm focal length is equivalent to a 35mm lens on a full frame camera. But that’s still wide enough for broad landscapes or sweeping street scenes. 

Its f/1.7 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and the ability to create images with a shallow depth of field, highlighting subjects against softly blurred backgrounds. 

This lens is incredibly lightweight and portable, ensuring it won’t be a burden during long shooting days or when traveling. Despite its compact size, it offers some degree of weather sealing, adding a layer of durability for shooting in less-than-ideal conditions. 

The Nikon DX Z 24mm f/1.7 stands out for its optical quality and portability. It’s a very useful lens for photographers who value a lightweight setup without compromising on image sharpness or low-light capabilities.

The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN | C is a prime lens with a wide field of view equivalent to 24mm on a full-frame camera, making it perfect for capturing vast landscapes and architectural marvels.

The optical performance is impressive, with sharpness maintained across the frame and well-controlled chromatic aberrations, thanks to its advanced optical design.

Its ability to produce images with minimal distortion is a crucial aspect for wide-angle photography where maintaining straight lines is essential.

Its f/1.4 aperture excels in low light conditions, allowing photographers to shoot with faster shutter speeds and lower ISOs for cleaner images.

This lens is relatively lightweight, making it a good companion for handheld shooting and travel photography. Despite its compact size, it boasts a robust build with dust- and splash-resistant features, ensuring durability in various shooting environments.

The Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN | C is a very useful lens for Nikon Z users seeking superior optical quality in a wide-angle prime. Its large aperture, sharpness, and compact design make it a popular choice for photographers,  videographers, and vloggers.

What is the Best Wide-Angle Prime Lens for Nikon F?

This section focuses on the best wide-angle Prime lenses for Nikon F-mount DSLR cameras. Our selection prioritizes optical quality, low-light performance, and build durability.

These lenses are chosen for their ability to capture expansive landscapes and architectural details with clarity and precision, making them indispensable for professional photography.

Our Favorite Wide-Angle Prime Lenses for Nikon F

Let’s take a closer look at our favorite wide-angle prime lenses for Nikon Z. From the expansive views captured by the Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED to the exceptional low-light performance of the Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A, there’s a lens here for every scenario.

Whether you’re shooting vast landscapes or detailed architectural scenes, these lenses provide the versatility and quality required to elevate your photography.

The Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED is a beautiful wide-angle prime with a fast aperture and sharp optical quality, making it a great option for photographers who focus on landscapes and low-light environments.

Its 20mm focal length captures expansive scenes, and the f/1.8 aperture allows for more light, which is great for evening shots. 

Aspherical and Extra-low Dispersion elements contribute to exceptional image quality. There’s no distortion, even at the very edges, which is impressive for a lens with such a wide field of view. The Nano Crystal coating also improves picture quality by eliminating lens flare. 

This lens is lighter than many alternatives, weighing about 355 grams, which makes it easy to carry around for long periods. Its build quality is good, featuring weather sealing that protects against dust and moisture. This is helpful when shooting outdoors in uncertain conditions.

Nikon’s classic Silent Wave Motor drives the AF, giving you reliable focusing. It’s also quiet in operation, helping you keep a low profile when shooting street or travel photography. 

The Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED is the best wide-angle prime for Nikon DSLR cameras. 

The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED is a pro-level wide-angle prime lens for Nikon DSLR cameras. It’s a sensational piece of kit and a must-have for any serious landscape, cityscape, or architectural photographer.

Optically, the lens is impressive. With specialist ED glass elements, distortion and chromatic aberration are practically non-existent. Sharpness is top-notch, especially when stopped down a bit.

Its f/1.4 aperture is a big advantage in low light, allowing photographers to snap images without cranking up the ISO or using long exposures. An aperture this wide gives you incredible creative control, no matter what genre of photography you’re shooting.

Weighing around 620 g, it’s fairly light and balances well on most Nikon DSLR bodies. This makes it easy to handle, even during long shooting sessions. The weather sealing is also helpful, protecting the lens when working outdoors.

The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED is perfect for professional photographers who need wide-angle capabilities with excellent optical performance.

The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED is more on the affordable side than the previous lens. It doesn’t match the fast aperture or pristine image quality, but it’s still a superb wide-angle prime for DSLR cameras.

The optical design, featuring two extra-low dispersion elements, ensures sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration

Its f/1.8 aperture offers excellent low-light performance and the ability to create images with a shallow depth of field. This lens is particularly useful for photographers who work in tight spaces or aim to capture the grandeur of outdoor scenes.

It’s light and easy to carry, which is perfect for photographers on the move. Its construction includes weather sealing, offering protection against dust and moisture.

The Nikon AF-S 24mm f/1.8G ED is a very useful tool for professionals and enthusiasts alike, offering a blend of portability, optical quality, and versatility.

The Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.4E ED stands out for its exceptional optical quality and super-wide f/1.4 aperture, making it a prime choice for photographers who need to work in low light or aim to achieve a shallow depth of field.

Its 28mm focal length offers a versatile wide-angle view perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, detailed cityscapes, and dynamic street scenes. Despite its lack of image stabilization, the lens’s large aperture allows for faster shutter speeds, helping to keep images sharp in various lighting conditions.

The lens’s optical design, featuring two extra-low dispersion elements and three aspherical elements, minimizes aberrations and maximizes sharpness across the frame.

Weighing approximately 645, this lens is relatively lightweight and easy to handle, making it suitable for long shooting sessions or travel. Its robust construction includes weather sealing, ensuring reliability even in challenging environments.

For professionals and serious enthusiasts focusing on landscape or architectural photography, the Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.4E ED is a very useful tool, offering both high performance and durability.

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM | A is a superb lens in the ultra-wide-angle category, notable for its large f/1.8 aperture.

This feature is particularly beneficial for landscape and astrophotography enthusiasts, allowing for stunning captures in low-light conditions. Its ability to produce a shallow depth of field at such a wide focal length offers creative opportunities not typically available with lenses of this type.

Thanks to its advanced lens construction, the optical performance is impressive, with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. Sharpness is excellent across the frame, even when shooting wide open.

Weighing in at 1.1 kg, it is on the heavier side for a prime lens. But its build quality is solid, featuring weather sealing for reliability in adverse conditions.

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM | A is a good option for photographers looking to push the boundaries of wide-angle photography. Its unique combination of wide aperture and focal length makes it very useful for capturing expansive scenes with great detail and clarity.

The Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A is a prime lens celebrated for its optical excellence and versatility.

Its wide f/1.4 aperture excels in low light conditions and provides a shallow depth of field. This lens is particularly appealing to landscape and architectural photographers who demand sharp, clear images across the entire frame.

The advanced optical construction minimizes aberrations, ensuring crisp images and true-to-life colors. Despite its lack of image stabilization, the fast aperture allows for handheld shooting in a poorly lit locations.

It’s one of the more rugged lenses on the list, featuring weather sealing for added durability.

For photographers looking for a high-quality wide-angle lens with a fast aperture, the Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A has to be a top choice.

Conclusion: The Best Wide-Angle Prime Lenses for Nikon

Focusing on lenses that offer sharp images, low-light performance, and minimal distortion, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best wide-angle prime lenses for Nikon. With lenses for Z-mount and F-mount cameras, we’ve covered all the bases, showing there’s a wide range of wide-angle primes for Nikon users. 

The article highlights the importance of choosing the right lens for capturing expansive landscapes and architectural details with clarity and precision.

The Nikon Z 20mm f/1.8 S was chosen for its impressive sharpness and low light capabilities, and the Nikon AF-S 20mm f/1.8G ED for its wide aperture and lightweight design. But as we’ve seen, there’s a wide range of wide-angle prime lenses for Nikon cameras.