Landscape photography is very popular these days, and people love such images. They help to highlight the beautiful landscapes whether it’s natural or man-made. Now, to do landscape photography, good gear is a must. You need a great camera and an excellent lens as well. You might be searching for the best lens for landscape for your camera. There are just too many options in the market that can make you overwhelmed.
To help you with that, let’s go over some of the best lenses that you can find on the market. That will undoubtedly help you to take your landscape photography game to a whole new level.

Top 10 best lens for landscape according to Photographers need
As there are so many different lenses available out in the market, it’s not a rare case that you might get confused about choosing the best one. To help you with that, we are going to go over the top 10 best lenses for landscape photography that you can get for your DSLR.
What lenses should Landscape Photographers Get for Their Cameras?
There are 3 types of lenses that a photographer needs for landscape photography. Those are wide-angle, standard, and zoom lenses.
Among these three, wide-angle lenses will provide you with more space in the image. The standard zoom lenses are perfect for getting the basic zooming features along with a great lens. And finally, the telephoto lens provides you with the most quality in the picture. But the drawback is that it isn’t capable of zooming.
Table of Contents
- 1 Best Wide Angle Lenses for Landscape photography
- 2 Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Landscape photography
- 3 Best Telephoto Lenses for Landscape photography
- 4 Buying Guide
- 4.1 How do I pick a lens that’s going to be excellent for Landscape photography?
- 4.2 Things to Consider before Purchasing
- 4.3 Why your lens matters for Landscape Photography
- 4.4 Choosing the Right Focal Length
- 4.5 What aperture should I use for shooting landscape photos?
- 4.6 Is a 50mm lens better than others for landscape photo shooting?
- 4.7 How much distance does a 50mm lens cover?
- 4.8 How many megapixels should I get for my camera?
- 4.9 Is a full frame for landscape photography any better than a crop sensor lens?
- 4.10 Which lens is best for beginners?
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
- 6 Conclusion
Best Wide Angle Lenses for Landscape photography
As mentioned earlier, wide-angle lenses are perfect for landscape photography as it lets you take more in. Let’s have a look at some of the best wide-angle lenses available out there.
17-40mm EF f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens by Canon

Canon lenses are undoubtedly the best lenses available out in the market. And when it comes to lenses for landscape photography, they produce some of the best lenses that you can get for your DSLR.
The 17-40mm EF f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens by Canon is an exceptionally well lens for you. It’s undoubtedly the best landscape lens for beginners that you can find available out there.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of the features that make it a top pick.
Amazing Wide Angle View: This lens is exceptional for giving you the best wide-angle landscape shots.
Low maintenance: The weather coating, dust resistance, and other features make it easier for you to maintain the lens.
Great Focus: This lens features an amazing focus that’s fast and silent.
Pros
- Great lens for someone who’s starting out
- Stunning picture quality
- Very affordable option
- Ease of use
Cons
- Not the best option for lowlight environments
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens

Sigma also has some line of products that are exceptionally well for landscape photography.
Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM ELD SLD Aspherical Super Wide Angle Lens is fully packed with quality materials in it. It’s a no brainer option for you to invest.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of the features down below.
Amazing Ultra-wide View: This lens gives you a 102.4-degree view, which is pretty amazing.
Great Aperture: The f/3.5 aperture is maintained throughout the entire zooming range.
SLD Glass: The special low dispersion glass allows even less aberration of your shots that you’d like.
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Super ultra-wide-angle view
- Steady aperture throughout the focal distance
- Fast and silent autofocus
Cons
- Not that zoomable
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Ultra Wide Angle Fixed Lens

Rokinon is another well-renowned company that produces some of the best lenses in the whole marketplace.
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Ultra Wide Angle Fixed Lens is a solid option if you want to get a fantastic lens without breaking the bank.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of its features.
Good Angle of View: This lens allows you to take more in with every shot, which is vital for landscape photography.
Perfect Night Shots: The f/2.8 aperture gives you a brighter and radiant image even in the darker environments.
Less Ghosting: This lens cancels out most ghosting which lets you shoot photos with ease.
Pros
- Fast aperture, perfect for low light settings
- Provides a wide-angle view
- Less ghosting for clean shots
Cons
- Can’t zoom with this lens
Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Landscape photography
Standard zoom lenses are very commonly used for landscape photography. They provide you with the basic features that help to give profound photos. Let’s go over some of the best zoom lenses that you can get for you.
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens

You must’ve heard of Sigma as it is famous for producing some of the best lenses in the market available.
The 17-50mm lens of Sigma with f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD Large Aperture Standard Zoom Lens is another perfect lens for taking landscape photos. It’s a great mid-price ranged lens for your DSLR.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s discuss some of the features of the lens.
Stable Images: This lens helps you to get more stable images by reducing shakes.
Larger Aperture: The f/2.8 aperture lets you shoot bright and radiant pictures even in dark environments.
Wide Angle of view: This lens features a 72.4 to 27.9 angle of view.
Pros
- Stunning image quality
- Good zoom range
- Great for shooting in darker settings
- Best value of your money
Cons
- No drawbacks
Sony - FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom Lens

Sony has some of the best lenses in the market which are also great for landscape photography.
The Sony – FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS Standard Zoom Lens is another lens that you can use for shooting landscape pictures. It’s a very premium option that you might want to invest in for better photography.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at the features of the lens down below.
Stunning Quality: You’ll get the sharpest and detailed image with this lens.
Zoom Range: The 24-105mm is the best focal length for landscape in that lens. The best part is that it maintains the quality throughout the entire zoom range.
ED Glass Technology: This lens uses 4 aspherical and 3 ED glass, which gives you the best possible images.
Pros
- Mesmerizing picture quality
- Maintains quality throughout the entire zooming range
- Great aperture
- Worths every penny
Cons
- Not affordable for everyone
Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens

The Canon EF series has some beautiful lenses that are exceptionally good for shooting landscape photos.
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/4.0L IS USM Standard Zoom Lens is a very high-quality lens that you can get for your DSLR.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of the features of this amazing lens.
Image stabilization: This lens stabilizes your image and makes it easier to get amazing shots.
Clever Coating: The coating on the lens allows you to use it without going for constant maintenance.
Macro Photography Supported: You can take surprisingly well macro shots wit this lens as well. That’s at a 0.7x macro shot.
Pros
- Astonishing image quality
- Supports macro photography
- Doesn’t need that much maintenance
- Reduces the shakes
Cons
- A bit pricey
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens

Canon has some of the best lenses that you can pick for your DSLR for amazing landscape photography.
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens is one of the most top-notch lenses you can get for your camera. It’s very premium in quality.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of the features of this amazing lens.
Wide View: This lens gives you an 84 to 34 angle of view, which is amazing for landscape photography,
Lightweight and Compact: This lens weighs so much less, which makes it easier to carry around with you.
Amazing Low Light Shots: The f/2.8 aperture lets you shoot bright pictures in the dark settings.
Pros
- Great for night time shots
- Provides a wider angle of view
- Exceptional image quality
- Worths every single penny
Cons
- No image stabilization
Best Telephoto Lenses for Landscape photography
Telephoto lenses can give you the most detailed picture that you can get. A lot of photographers prefer these lenses for landscape photography as well. Let’s go over a couple of the best telephoto lenses that are excellent for landscape photography.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

The Canon EF series has some of the best lenses in the market that are also great for landscape photography.
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens Is undoubtedly the best canon lens for landscape and portrait.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s go over some of the key features of this amazing telephoto lens.
Stunning Details: This telephoto zoom lens gives you a surprisingly high image detail.
Right Aperture: The aperture speed of this lens is just right, and it maintains throughout the entire zooming range.
Easy Focus: This lens has the easiest focus as the lens does not move at all while focusing.
Pros
- Mesmerizing picture quality
- Maintains quality throughout the zoom distance
- Best value of your money
Cons
- Not the best lens if you want more field of view
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens

The EF series of Canon has some exceptional lenses that are perfect for landscape photo shooting.
If you are searching for the best budget lens for landscape photography, the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens is just the right one for you.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of its features.
Good Sharpness and Details: The quality of the lens will satisfy you as it’s pretty good.
Lightweight and Compact: This lens is very lightweight and compact and thus, you’ll be able to carry it around with you at ease.
Very Affordable: This lens is one of the most affordable options that you can get for your DSLR.
Pros
- Best budget lens for landscape photo shooting
- A lot of features
- Very lightweight to carry around
Cons
- Doesn’t provide the topnotch details
Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sony produces the most high quality and premium lenses that you can use for landscape photography.
The Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens is one of the most premium lenses that you can get for your DSLR.
WHY IS THIS A TOP PICK?
Let’s have a look at some of the features of this amazing lens.
5x ED Glass: This allows less ghosting in the lens which helps you get the cleanest photos.
Smart Focus: You can switch between AF and manual focus and it provides the most silent and fast experience.
Internal Zooming: The internal zooming mechanism helps to zoom in or out without any effort or distraction.
Pros
- Out of the world image quality
- Exceptional resolution in pictures
- Super ghosting reduction
- Unbelievably fast autofocus
- Excellent zooming capacity
Cons
- Not an affordable option for everybody
Buying Guide
Having a list of the top products is certainly not enough if you don’t know how to choose the perfect fit for you. Let’s have a look at everything you need to know to choose the best lens for your camera.
How do I pick a lens that’s going to be excellent for Landscape photography?
No fixed rule makes a lens great for landscape photography. That said, the aperture, focal length distance has a huge impact. Anything larger than an f/4 aperture is excellent for landscape shots.
Nowadays, most zoom lenses are coming with a fixed aperture of f/2.8 that is excellent for most landscape shots. Some exceptional prime lenses even have faster aperture such as f/1.8, or even f/1.2.
As for the focal length, you’ll see the most common setting as 14-35mm for the wide lenses. Some of them might have a configuration of 10 or 12mm.
You see, a lot of things come to play, and it’s not just a few matters that make a lens great for landscape shots. Besides, most lenses these days have so many extra features. That makes it even more comfortable and elegant to capture beautiful images.
Yet, you must choose wisely as all the lenses are different. That means you have to make sure that you consider everything. That will help to give you the best lens for your camera. Also, your preferred style of landscape photography influences a lot of things there.
Things to Consider before Purchasing
Take a look at the frame size and see if it fits. Then, see if the lens mount is compatible with your camera. You must check these two before you do anything else.
Now, see all the information that the manufacturer provides and try to go over as much as you can. That’s crucial for you to get the lens that’s best compatible with your camera.
Lens compatibility is a confusing thing for most people. You can certainly go away by using an adapter to make each lens work with your camera. But it’s not the best way to go for sure.
You might lose some of the original features of the lens by using an adapter. That can include the image stabilization or even the autofocus. You can see how it’s not the best way to go.
But if you are careful in the beginning and check everything beforehand, you can solve that issue. A model of a lens by any brand is compatible with a few specific cameras.
By considering that, you’ll be able to find the exact match. And thus, you won’t have any issue with the fit or compatibility of the lens at all.
Why your lens matters for Landscape Photography
A camera is not enough to give you the wide shots that you might need often. Also, to emphasize the true beauty of the landscapes, a lens is vital.
Not only will it help you get a broader picture, but it’s also going to help you get more depth in the field. And the added features of a lens make it less effort for you to get the best pictures as well.
The primary purpose of having a lens is to elevate what your camera has. It’s a crucial thing for a photographer if he is serious about his photography. Without the right lens, your landscape photos will lack something that helps to make it unique.
Besides, the type of lens impacts your photography on deeper levels. You must choose the right lens that compliments your style. That way, you can get the best shots out of it.
Other than that, a lens nowadays comes with a lot of extra features as well. You can benefit so much from that, and it’ll give you some photos that you never thought you could get. Make sure to take advantage of these features as well.
Choosing the Right Focal Length
The 14mm ultra-wide lens is undoubtedly the best focal length for landscape photography. Also, you can go with a 18mm focal length which is a fantastic lens.
The 21mm focal length is considered the sweet spot that you’ll love. And if you want to get higher, you can go for a 21mm focal length distance. That would give you a narrower shot.
Now for the 27 focal length distance, it’s considered as the in-between focal length. And if you want a more sharp and detailed shot, you should choose 35mm to 55mm focal length distance.
And finally, lenses with 55mm+ focal length distance are known as a telephoto lens. These are perfect for getting the most detail in your photos.
You see, the most crucial thing you need to consider is what you want from a lens. The best lens for you would be the one that helps to give you the best photos that you crave. For instance, if you want to capture a photo at a distance, you want to consider a zoom lens with the right focal range.
A lens with the best focal length for landscape will make the photos look so much better and precise. Make sure to spend a little bit of time to get it down properly.
What aperture should I use for shooting landscape photos?
Lenses that have an aperture faster than f/4 is usually perfect for landscape photo shooting. Nowadays, most lenses come with a fixed aperture of f/2.8 or such. That’s ideal for shooting the landscapes and getting the best out of the lens as well.
Now, some prime lenses take it a bit further. They use even faster aperture speed than that such as f/1.8, f/1.4, or even f/1.2 in many cases. They are undoubtedly very pricey and also heavy to carry around.
If you choose to shoot in low light environments, you need a faster aperture to be able to do that better. It lets more light in through the lens, which gives a brighter and radiant picture.
As a pro, I recommend you add a prime lens in your bag that has a faster aperture. That will make you prepared for the night time shots that need more brightness to it.
And if you are into shooting the stars or night sky, having such a lens is vital for you. That’s why you need to make sure that you got the right aperture when you go to get yourself a lens for your DSLR.
Is a 50mm lens better than others for landscape photo shooting?
A 50mm lens is all you need for landscape photography as it offers the most sharpness and detail. You won’t need any more parts. But make sure that the aperture is faster than f/4 in general.
However, using a 50mm lens will give you the crispest and sharpest picture. That’s vital to get the most out of a wide landscape photo.
Just make sure to check the compatibility of your camera with the lens before you buy it. Also, as there’s a lot of extra features available, it’s a great idea to consider those as well. Whatever gives you more freedom and flexibility in your shots is the one you should get.
However, there are a lot of options in the market that you need to pick wisely. Remember, the most costly lens is not necessarily the best lens for your camera. The features and quality determine whether the lens is right for you or not.
Yet, the 50mm lenses are one of the best lenses that you can get for doing landscape photography. So, go to your marketplace and pick the one that suits you the best. It’s going to serve you a lot in your photo shooting journey.
How much distance does a 50mm lens cover?
The different brand has different distances that you can shoot from using their 50mm lens. You can calculate it using your camera’s focal plane mark.
Also, you should look out for a circle, which most cameras use to mark the point. That makes it easier for you to understand the distance your lens can cover.
For instance, the 50mm Nikon lens with f/1.8g aperture has a focusing distance of 0.45m, which is from the focal plane mark of the lens. And another thing worth mentioning that the distance is a minimum focusing distance.
All the lenses have a different minimum and maximum focal length distance. You should be mindful of which one compliments your style of photography. This is a surefire way to choose the best lens for your camera.
Besides, it impacts a lot of things such as zooming capability, range, and so on. That’s why you need to give some extra time and effort to look at it. That means, when you choose your 50mm lens, make sure that you are mindful of the distance as well.
How many megapixels should I get for my camera?
Anything more than a 16 MP camera is best for landscape photography in my humble opinion. You don’t need a lot bigger numbers on the megapixels because they will not do you a lot of good necessarily.
Anything lower than that risks out the quality of the picture and also I don’t prefer you to use that. However, the lens, aperture, and other features play the biggest role in the picture quality anyways.
But if you want more resolution in your picture, getting more megapixel is vital for you. Without more megapixels, the picture tends to get blurriness. You want to avoid that by all means if you want to capture better landscape photos.
Go for a lens that has decent megapixels in it. Make sure not to get too concerned about it. As you go for more megapixels in your camera lens, the price is also going to increase drastically. That’s why it’s always better to go for a mid-ranged lens.
But if you can afford it, go for more megapixels by all means. It will help you maintain the top-notch quality in your photos. But if you don’t have the budget yet, there’s no harm in getting a lens that has like 16 MP in it.
Is a full frame for landscape photography any better than a crop sensor lens?
A crop sensor is a better bet when it comes to landscape photography, but it’s not as simple as that, of course. It depends on a lot of things that you need to consider if you want to know which one is the best for you, full-frame, or crop sensor.
The first thing is, of course, the budget you have for the lens. The full-frame cameras are pretty costly, and so are their lenses. But as it gives you a 1:1 frame ratio, it’s fantastic for landscape photography as well. The details and the sharpness of the picture are just exceptional.
But again, the main issue you’ll face with it in the budget. They are super pricey and you might not want to spend that much money on a lens itself.
Just remember, you don’t need a full-frame for landscape photography, as it’s not vital. But if you can afford it, go for it by all means. It will undoubtedly add so much more to your level of photography,
Which lens is best for beginners?
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens is undoubtedly a solid option for you if you are just starting in landscape photography. It’s undoubtedly an excellent ultra-wide lens and the best thing is you don’t have to spend a whole lot to get it for your camera. That allows you to get a good grasp on everything before you level up your game.
From the focal length to the aperture, everything compliments with the style of landscape photography. Besides, you know that Canon is the single most popular manufacturer in the whole market that produces most of the highest quality products. And the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens is just an exceptional example of the best landscape lens for beginners.
It’s very simple and straightforward to use. You will not have to do anything fancy, or even go through a confusing process to use that. Just put it on and start shooting excellent photos right away. It’s lightweight and compact for you to carry around wherever you like.
The best part about this lens is its low maintenance. That means that you won’t need to clean it often or put too much effort into anything. What can be a more suitable option than that for a beginner?
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s go over some of the most frequently asked questions down below.
1. What is a good f stop range?
Basically the main aperture stops are known as f stops. But you don’t see it that way in most of the lenses these days. Nowadays, the cameras don’t really use this term that much.
Rather, you’ll see a set of some values like f/2.8, f/1.8, f/1.2, and such. Those aperture stops indicate the sharpness and how much light will pass through the lens. The sharper and more detailed f stops on lenses mostly in the middle of these ranges such as f/4, f/5.6, and f/8, or so on and so forth.
2. Do more megapixels mean better photo quality?
More megapixel helps to give you more detail and depth in your photos. They play a very vital role in keeping the quality there in the picture.
For instance, if you decide to print out the photo in a bigger frame, more megapixels will help you maintain the quality of your image. It doesn’t make the picture better on its own. But plays a vital role too.
In most cases, the aperture, focal length, and numerous other things impact the quality of your photo. So, you don’t need crazy high megapixels to shoot excellent photos. Going for a 16 MP will be just enough in most cases.
The more you increase the megapixel, the more you’d have to pay for it. Just keep that in mind while you choose a camera or lens for you. If you can afford it, then get more megapixels by all means.
3. Can I use a prime lens for landscape?
Prime lenses can provide you with so much depth in the field and better image quality. But it has a limit as it has a fixed focal length, which doesn’t let you zoom on objects.
Also, they are not able to provide you with the wide view that most wide-angle lens or ultra-wide lenses can give you. That can be a big drawback for you if you are into landscape photography.
But you can undoubtedly use prime lenses for such photography and get some stunning pictures as well. Just make sure to go with a good lens that can fill your needs for landscape photography. But again, you are better off with a wide-angle lens than using some prime lens for this particular photography style.
4. Can I use a macro lens for landscape?
It can be a surprisingly well idea to use a macro lens for landscape photography. You see, most people think that macro lenses will ruin the whole image that way. But they are wrong. It can help you capture some great images that you never thought possible.
If you do some research, you’ll find that macro lenses are identical to short telephoto lenses. That tells you it’s going to be worth shooting some pictures with it. You’ll be surprised by the results for sure.
Yet, if you want to use it as a replacement for other lenses for landscape photography, it’s not the best way to go in my opinion. These lenses are specifically made for shooting super close up shots and macro photography to be more specific.
So, you should get a dedicated lens for landscape photography as well to ensure the best results.
5. Where do you focus on landscape photography?
The simple answer to that would be to focus on objects that are going to emphasize the background. For that, you might have to focus on the front and do it such an angle that compliments what’s going on there on the back.
Now, the focus is going to determine how the whole picture is going to look. So, make sure to spend some extra time getting it down near perfect. It’s the first and foremost thing you need to get right.
However, some of the landscape shots will require you to focus on the broader subject. In that case, you can see what feels the best and make that the focus. There is no fixed rule on that. You have the flexibility to do anything that helps you achieve your desired pictures.
Conclusion
There you have a list of the best lens for landscape photography that you can get for your DSLR.
You see, having a pricey camera is not enough to give you the best pictures. You also need a good lens that helps you in that process. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a pricey one. Going for a lens that fits your needs would be everything you need in most cases.
I hope the list of lenses along with the buying guide and the FAQ helps you in choosing the best lens for landscape photography.
Learn More:
Leave a Reply