8x Ultra wide-angle zoom lens comparison battle! APS-C lenses from Canon, Sigma, Tamron & Tokina

Does what it says on the tin. Over the years I've tested all the main ultra wide-angle zoom lenses for Canon's APS-C cameras, including the third party ones. They've all been tested from slightly different positions, so here's a slightly more informal video of my findings.

It's pretty hard to choose and ultra wide-angle zoom lens, because most of them are good, but in different ways. All I can do is give you my favourite couple of lenses and leave the rest down to you!

All pictures and footage taken by me on Canon 60D and 70D cameras

Music:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

[wahabdilawar]

I am a Nikon guy, but I do thoroughly enjoy your reviews and other uploads. Thank you very much for your time and effort.

[ESKATEUK]

Have had my sigma f3.5 for years and really enjoy it. Comparing it to the canon 10-18, The autofocus, build quality and low light ability is superior. And the sharpness at higher focal length is definitely as good as the canon. It just gets a little soft at the edges when you drop it to f3.5. But the main thing is the build quality, it’s a solid piece of kit.

[prasartpongpet]

I always watch your reviews before i do a purchase.

[cropperson]

I wonder how these would do on high megapixel APS-C like the 90D or the R7?

[Outlast]

I have always followed your videos Christopher.  And you have been of great help informing us of details you review on. When I first saw your Sigma 8-16mm review, it has been on my wish list since. Was lucky enough that I was able to get one for a second hand for just USD329.00, mint condition. Seemed like the first owner did not know how maximize its use and gave up photography. Presently saw all his gears are for sale from a used camera gear online website. Consistently, as you said, its sharp and I have validated all your tests! You tend to smile after you have taken a shot instead of a hovering question marks above your head :)  Thank you for being there sharing your insights and reviews. With high regards.

[jolebole-yt]

Honest review. However from all these mentioned the Tokinas are best all around performer. For night photography specifically.

[lostspirit]

I have to comment and thank you for the review and work you put in to making your video's. I find then educational and informative which has been so helpful to a novelist like myself. Thank you👍

[ThoriumHeavyIndustries]

Would love to see an updated version of this video :) However great info :)

[tamasvarga]

Great review as always! I have the 10-18 STM and it's a real gem for the price.

[kaanaksoy]

Christopher, this is a very good comparison review!
Thanks a lot!

I purchased the Canon 10-18 recently. 
I am very happy with it. Although at wide open apertures it causes hefty vignetting, at f/8 it is awesome. Moreover the 'IS' helps you with 4-stop stabilization! Simply incredible!
Even with f/8, you can catch up with shutter speeds of lenses with f/2.8 (that is exactly 4 stops!).
Excellent value and best price / performance!

[jimschmidt]

Great selection of lenses. Your photos demonstrate that great photos depend more on the person's abilities than it does on the equipment. Kudos to you on the composition, lighting colors, and collecting and organizing all the information for the video.

[shang-hsienyang]

As a Nikon user, I find your videos very useful.

[Twobarpsi]

Looking to get the Sigma 8-16mm due to it's the widest rectilinear apsc lens, and I value sharpness over all other specs.

[andyQ]

I don't want to weight myself down or spend too much so think the STM is the best. Thanks for the review.

[thegrayyernaut]

My 4 go-to lenses, all in one bag, thanks to Chris' videos:

Ultra Wide-angle: Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX MARK II.
Fast Standard Zoom: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM.
Prime: Canon EF 50 f/1.8 STM II.
Telephoto: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM.
.

Got all of them for $630/£489/€572 (all second-hand). I can cover from 11 to 250mm on my little Canon 750D (Rebel T6i).

[sergioserramusic]

I bought the Tokina 11-16 and I really like it. It's probably the best lens I've ever had, as far as optical and build quality. The only thing I don't like is the AF, which isn't enough accurate to be trusted each and every time, as I do with all my Canon lenses. Years ago I tried the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 and it was awful, it was ok in the center, but boy the conrners were unusable, and I tried on a less demanding 450D APS-C sensor; I can't imagine how bad can it be on a 24MP sensor...

[JoeJacksonJr]

I fully agree with Chris's assessment of these lens. Have to say Chris, I was shocked you didn't include any Samyang/Rokinon Lenses. I just got my Rok 14mm f/2.8 UMC lens in yesterday. Will be testing it out and doing a review in a month or so.

[GWielgos]

I understand that some opinions are personal views of the reviewer and I'm okay with that. This review is fantastic! I just love the way it is made, smooth and to the point. Thank you. Great job!

[chadj.w.anderson]

I found a couple filter systems for the Sigma 8-16mm – FotodioX and LucrOit – gonna give them a try!

[erickbarron]

Chris, I just wanted to say thank you so much for all your videos. And all reviews they have been extremely helpful, to help me navigate and purchase the right lenses for my 70D. You help me, keep learning more about photography which I love so much. I Purchased the Canon 10-18 EFS STM Lens, for my huge trip to Europe, it took fantastic pictures and was exactly everything I wanted it to be. Thanks to you I got all the shots that I needed and wanted, in Paris London and Iceland. Thank you again so much for your reviews, for your very helpful advice, and for your comparison videos which are huge! Look forward to seeing more of your videos thank you again