Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon DX Cameras: Top 5 List

If you’re planning to buy an all-around lens for your Nikon DX camera, you should consider buying a wide angle zoom lens. It’s not only perfect for portrait and landscape photography, but it’s also perfect if you’re into architecture and street photography. It is one of the most versatile lenses that every photographer should own. But there are so much of these lenses in the market, let me narrow it down for you. All of the lenses listed here have spectacular optical performance, which is why they made it onto this list.

Here’s a list of the best wide angle zoom lens for your Nikon DX cameras:

Best Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon DX Cameras

​#1 Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM (Amazon’s choice)

Rating

Pros

CONS

  • AF high performance

  • Cheap

  • Large lens

Review

First on the list is one of Amazon.com’s Choice. This wide angle zoom lens is best for Nikon DX cameras because it highlights the relationship of subjects that are in the photo, which is highly important for portrait, and street photographers. It is also very ideal in low light settings because of its ultra wide angle that comes with fast and high performance aperture. An inner focus system, and zoom lock with manual override switches definitely puts this lens above other lenses on the list. With its sharpness and exceptional overall performance, it is also cheaper than most lenses in the market. So if you’re on a budget, but also wants supreme wide angle zoom lens for your landscape, architecture, and portrait photography needs, this lens if perfect for you. This lens also has a nice and smooth focus ring, making it easy to hone in on the exact focus you’re looking for.

​#2 Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD

Rating

Pros

CONS

  • Zoom range
  • Light weight
  • Expensive

Review

This amazing lens coming in close to being the best is recommended and used by most professional photographers. The added feature of VC (Vibration Compensation) technology improves the quality of wide-angle shooting even when you are shooting indoors and in the evening with a little to almost no light source. It provides optical stabilization that provides better quality photos than any other lens on this list. It also has the outstanding HLD (High/Low toque-modulated Drive) autofocus system that provides precise focusing at a high-speed. Another amazing feat of this lens is that you don’t need to switch from AF to MF, because it has a Full-time Manual Focus override that allows you to adjust the focal point even when you’re on AF mode. The only downside of this lens is that, it is so advanced that old Nikon camera models won’t be able to accommodate its features.

​#3 ​Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM

Rating

Pros

CONS

  • Viewing angles

  • Distortion and astigmatism correction

  • Filters

Review

Next on the list has the first ultra wide zoom lens with a minimum focal length of 8mm that has an inner focusing system that maintains high contrast and quality of images all the way through the entire zoom range. If you’re looking for ultra-wide perspectives, this is definitely the lens for you. Large group photos for wedding ceremonies and company photos will be a piece of cake because of its exaggerated perspective that is also perfect for shooting building interiors, architecture and scenic landscapes. It also has a built-in lends hood perfect for minimizing flares, but attaching filters to the lens cap rather than the lens itself maybe a downside for others. Its overall performance is unquestionable and the image quality is ideal whatever your focal length may be.

#4 Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM | A 

Rating

Pros

CONS

  • Full-Frame Format

  • Zero distortion at infinity focus

  • Heavy

Review

The only wide angle zoom lens that is full frame on the list is next on the list. This lens is perfect if you’re into portraiture because the contrast and sharpness is well-maintained at any point in the zoom range. It is also works well in low light and higher ISO settings which make it perfect for shooting indoors and at night. If you’re also into action and outdoor photography, this lens offers weather seals, and fluorine coatings at the back and the front of elements of the lens. It is compatible with every Nikon DX camera, but it’s a little bit heavier if you’re a fan of lightweight lenses. But setting all of that aside, this lens is can be used all-around in different settings and for different purposes which makes it an ideal wide angle zoom lens and that is why this lens is included in this list.

#5 Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 Pro DX 

Rating

Pros

CONS

  • Consistent aperture rating
  • Autofocus noise

Review

Last on the list of the best wide angle zoom lens for Nikon DX cameras maintains constant illumination across the photo even in challenging lighting situations. The incorporation of a nine-blade diaphragm emphasizes DOF which is what most photographers are looking for. It is also suited for taking action shots indoor and under low light without the noise from you high ISO setting. An excellent feat of every Tokina lens is the one-touch focus mechanism that allows you to switch from AF to MF effortlessly, but some people are bothered by the noise the motor makes when in AF setting. But the excellent sharpness and superb image quality of the photos make up for the noise.

Conclusion

Wide angle zoom lens are constantly produced every now and then, so make sure to buy the lens that is suited for your field of interest. Most of these lenses are expensive, but all of them are durable and can serve you years if you take care of them properly. If none of these lenses are suited for your taste, you can always look for some wide angle zoom lens for Nikon DX cameras in the market but make sure to consider the subjects you are going to shot and the reason why you are buying the lens. Make sure to check if the lens is suited for your Nikon DX camera. I hope we helped you out in deciding which lens to buy. Until next time and happy shooting!

As DX camera sensors are not full frame cameras, all of the aforementioned lenses are designed to suite the DX cameras smaller sensor size. If you plan to use these lenses on an FX model camera with a full frame sensor, you may have issues with cropping.