Lens Recommendation  >  Lens Test Results

Best lenses for the 24-Mpix Nikon D7100: Wide-angle and primes and zooms

Introduction

This is the last of a four part series, where we’ve analysed the optical performance of 22 wide-angle and ultra wide-angle lenses from Nikon and third-party makers. Nikon are no strangers to this group of focal lengths, of course, having once made one of the most extensive and respected ranges of wide-angle lenses in the history of the 35mm format. Today, Nikon and the third party makers such as Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and Zeiss offer an expansive range of models that exceed those models from yesteryear in both scope and performance. We’ve tested the high-resolution D7100 with 10 full-frame primes between 14mm and 24mm in focal length and 12 zooms including the DX format ultra-wide Sigma 8-16mm (12-24mm equivalent) f/4.5-5.6 and Nikon’s extreme full-frame AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED.

Full-frame wide-angle lenses aren’t quite as appealing on DX format bodies thanks to the crop factor of the smaller sensor, but they can still be useful. On the Nikon D7100, of course, the 24mm lenses that occupy the number one and number two positions have the equivalent field of view to 35mm lenses (which are only moderately wide).

Be that as it may, if you have a full-frame body as well, the lenses become very versatile indeed.  The Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 25mm f/2 is the best performing wide-angle lens on the D7100, with a DxOmark score of 27 points.

 

Carl Zeiss Distagon T 25mm f/2 ZF.2 Nikon 1700 27 15
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED 2200 24 13
Sigma 20mm F1.8 EX DG ASP RF Nikon 629 22 16
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Aspherical Nikon 409 21 17
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 21mm f/2.8 ZF2 Nikon 1732 19 10
Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D 570 19 12
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/15 ZF.2 Nikon 2950 19 12
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 25mm f/2.8 ZF2 Nikon 1005 18 12
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 18mm f/3.5 ZF2 Nikon 1395 17 11
Sigma 14mm F2.8 EX Aspherical HSM Nikon 749 13 8

The widely respected Nikkor 24mm f/1.4 is placed second at 24 points due in part to slightly lower levels of sharpness and some wayward CA (at least when compared with the Zeiss).

In third place is the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical RF, another full-frame model and with a slightly wider field of view, approximating a 30mm on a full-frame camera. It has slightly higher sharpness levels than even the Zeiss but it has less homogeneity in the field (sharpness in the corner is pretty low, higher vignetting, distortion and CA).

At $629 it’s already modestly priced, given the brighter than average f/1.8 maximum aperture for this focal length. But, if brand loyalty is important, Nikon has a AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D model from the film era that performs well, with a DxOmark score of 19 points and a 12P-Mpix rating for sharpness.

Nonetheless, due to its high image quality, the AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED model has mostly made all the older full-frame wide and ultra-wide angle prime lenses redundant from the maker, though there are other, more suitable options for the smaller sensor D7100.

 

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED 2000 20 13
Tokina AT-X 11-16 PRO DX Nikon 659 19 11
Tokina AT-X 12-24 AF PRO DX Nikon 400 18 9
Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 IF DX II Nikon 655 18 11
Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Nikon 649 17 11
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED 800 16 10
Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM Nikon 699 14 9
Tamron SP 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF Nikon 499 14 7
Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Nikon 499 14 8
Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM II Nikon 1400 12 6
Sigma 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 EX DG Nikon 840 12 6
Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM Nikon 479 11 6

Most Nikon (and rival) users will have heard just how good the AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED actually is, and it comes as little surprise to see it top our rankings. You’ll also notice with a DxOMark score of 20 points, it actually outperforms the $1,732 Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8, one of the most respected wide-angles in the business.

As the equivalent to a 21-36mm on the D7100 though, the Nikkor lens may not be the best option as it’s large, heavy, and expensive and can’t take filters easily. 

This is one of the reasons why there’s a proliferation of DX format zooms, some even wider than the Nikkor zoom. While the firm makes an AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED, which is a good performer, both the Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX (AF 11-16mm f/2.8), a 17-25mm equivalent and the slower Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX (equivalent to a 18-37mm f/4), are better optically and occupy the second and third places in our rankings, respectively.

Both the Tokina DX format models show competitive sharpness compared with the full-frame Nikkor, even at full aperture. Overall though they can’t quite match the image quality, having slightly lower averaged sharpness throughout the zoom range, higher distortion and higher levels of chromatic aberration (for more information please follow the links here to the field maps). Even so, the two Tokina models are excellent performers and are both smaller and lighter and offer tremendous value.

If you have a Nikon D7100 and a favorite lens, we would very much like to hear from you. Please leave a comment below, stating what lens it is and why you like it.

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