A while back I wrote an article on the 10 best wildlife lenses currently available from many major camera manufacturers. This was a collection of 10 mirrorless, telephoto lenses that excel in the art of wildlife photography. In today’s article, I’ll be doing the exact same thing but this time with a focus on lenses that excel in landscape photography.

Landscape photography is a wonderful art form that can truly capture the essence and feeling of a place or a moment in time. It’s invigorating to do research, travel to a destination, find a composition, and, if you’re lucky, capture a stunning image. Of course, the person behind the camera is the biggest factor in determining the final outcome but having the right gear can certainly help.

Let’s take a look at the 10 best landscape lenses from many major manufacturers. These are lenses that we’ve subjectively selected here at BCJ. This list is simply 10 lenses that we’re particularly excited about and that we think our subscribers will be interested in. This list also includes both wide-angle lenses as well as lenses with more of a standard focal range for a sake of variety. After all, you can really shoot a landscape with whatever lens you want. Of course, there are many other exceptional lenses out there but these are the ones we decided to include in our list. With that being said let’s get right into it!

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S 

Specs:

• Price: $2,397 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• Two ED and Four Aspherical Elements

• Multi-Focus Stepping Motor AF System

• Programmable Control Ring

• Information OLED Panel and L.Fn Button

• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

The first lens on our list is the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and it is an absolutely superb lens for shooting landscapes. With a very flexible and usable focal range of 24-70mm and a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8, you’ll be able to capture stunning images regardless of light levels. With all of the modern tech you’d expect in a mirrorless lens from Nikon, a customizable control ring, an information LED screen, cutting-edge optics, and much more you can’t go wrong with this lens.

Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM

Specs:

• Price: $2,100 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• Nano USM AF System

• Optical Image Stabilizer

• Aspherical and Low Dispersion Elements

• Customizable Control Ring

• Air-Sphere and Fluorine Coatings

The Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM is another exceptional piece of glass when it comes to shooting landscapes. With exceptional Canon L series optics, a robust and sleek design, fast and accurate AF, Optical stabilization, and a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 you’ll be able to capture great landscape images day and night, rain or shine.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II

Specs:

• Price: $2,299 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• 22% Lighter, 18% Smaller then Previous

• Four XD Linear AF Motors, Floating Focus

• Aperture De-Click and Lock Switches

• Zoom Smoothness Switch

• Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

The Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is a superb lens that covers the perfect focal range for all of your landscape compositional needs. This lens is a great improvement on the already super popular first generation and features many specs that make it stand out amongst the competition. With top-of-the-line optics, tons of customizable controls, an 11-blade diaphragm, and much more, capturing razor-sharp and stunning landscape shots is easy with this lens.

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR

Specs:

• Price: $1,200 USD

• APS-C | f/2.8 to f/22

• Three Extra-Low Dispersion Elements

• Three Aspherical Elements

• Two Linear Autofocus Motors

• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

If you’re shooting on the Fujifilm X-Mount system and want a great wide-angle zoom lens capable of capturing all kinds of landscape shots then look no further than the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR. This lens features a full-frame equivalent focal range of 24-48mm. With exceptional Fujifilm optics, great autofocusing capabilities, a robust and weather-sealed construction, and a beautiful rounded 9-blade diaphragm you’ll be able to capture stunning landscape images regardless of conditions.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z

Specs:

• Price: $3,000 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• Two Nano USM Motors

• 11-Blade Diaphragm

• Optical Image Stabilizer

• 3 Aspherical Elements, 4 UD Elements

• SSC, ASC & Fluorine Coating

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is a truly special lens and the first of its kind ever. This brand-new lens is the world’s first ever 24-105mm lens with a constant maximum aperture of f/2.8. The lens also features the capability to attach a power zoom adapter which adds to its allure. If you want a flexible zoom range, stunning L series optics, smooth and effective AF, and so much more then you just might have to pick up one of these lenses for your own landscape photography.

OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II

Specs:

• Price: $1,000 USD

• Micro Four Thirds | f/2.8 to f/22

• 2 ED & 2 Aspherical Elements

• 1 EDA, 1 HD, 1 DSA, 2 HR Lens Elements

• High-Speed MSC AF System

• Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm

If you’re one of the many photographers who have converted to the OM System from Olympus then this just might be the perfect landscape lens for you. Designed for the OM System’s micro four thirds sensors this lens features a full-frame equivalent focal range of 24-80mm. With great optics, very solid autofocusing capabilities, a rounded 7-blade diaphragm, and a robust and weather-sealed construction you’ll be able to capture all kinds of landscape images with this lens. And the fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 means it will work well in low-light conditions.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

Specs:

• Price: $2,497 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• Four ED and Three Aspherical Elements

• ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coatings

• Stepping Motor AF System

• Programmable Control Ring

• Information OLED Panel and L.Fn Button

• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is an absolutely stunning lens that will produce tack-sharp, crystal clear, and absolutely stunning landscape images. With a nice wide-angle focal range, top-notch NIKKOR optics, customizable controls and an OLED information panel, a rounded 9-blade diaphragm, and a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 the world is your oyster with this lens. If you use the Nikon Z system and want a wide-angle zoom that excels in landscape photography then this is your lens.

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II

Specs:

• Price: $2,299 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• 20% Lighter, 10% Smaller than Previous

• Four XD Linear AF Motors, Floating Focus

• Aperture De-Click and Lock Switches

• Zoom Smoothness Switch

The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is the second generation of their already top-notch wide-angle zoom for the E-mount system. If you want a full-frame, wide-angle zoom with superb optics, great AF capabilities, and tons of customizable controls, all in a lightweight and compact package then this is what you’re after. If you need a flexible wide-angle zoom lens for your Sony mirrorless camera then this is the best you can get.

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

Specs:

• Price: $1,250 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2.8 to f/22

• One FLD Element, Five SLD Elements

• Three Aspherical Elements

• High-Speed AF with Stepping Motor

• Customizable AFL Button

• Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

If you’re looking for a really great wide-angle zoom lens for either an E-mount or L-mount system then look no further than the Sigma 14-24 f/2.8 DG DN Art lens. This is a very beautiful lens from Sigma featuring their high-quality Art-line optics, a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, a high-speed stepping AF motor, a beautiful rounded 11-blade aperture diaphragm, customizable controls, and more. If you’ve been on the search for a great third-party landscape-oriented lens then this just might be what you’re after.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM

Specs:

• Price: $2,800 USD

• Full-Frame | f/2 to f/22

• Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements

• Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System

• Customizable Control Ring

• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

And last but certainly not least we have arrived at another superb wide-angle zoom lens from Canon that excels in the art of landscape photography. The RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM is a stunning lens that produces razor-sharp, clear, and absolutely beautiful images. With a lighting-fast maximum aperture of f/2, top-of-the-line L series optics and elements, a great AF system, a rounded 9-blade diaphragm, a customizable control ring, and more you won’t be disappointed with this lens. If you want an exceptional piece of glass for your landscape photography then this is the lens for you.

Conclusion

And there we have it. This has been our curated list of the 10 best lenses for landscape photography. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our list of the 10 best lenses for wildlife photography. Again, this is merely a subjective list of lenses that we’re particularly excited about here at BCJ. Of course, there are many other exceptional lenses out there that can capture beautiful landscape images. I hope this article has been helpful and we’ll see ya on the next one!

Keenan Hursh is a Photographer, visual designer, and creative story teller based out of Bozeman, Montana. He draws inspiration from his frequent excursions into the natural world and always brings his camera along to capture whatever adventures he finds himself in. Keenan is passionate about documenting and sharing fleeting moments from the natural world and focuses primarily on wildlife, landscape, and adventure photography.

When it comes to gear, he primarily shoots digital with his Canon EOS R5 and EOS 6D mark ii but also has several 35mm film cameras that get out every now and then.

At a very young age, Keenan started bringing a camera along on his excursions and immediately fell in love with the art of photography. He started out with his parent’s cheap point and shoot and has continuously improved his craft and gear refining his shooting style and producing more compelling and intriguing images.

Growing up in the foothills of Boulder, Colorado, surrounded by mountains and wilderness, Keenan has developed a deep passion for many outdoor activities. When he’s not out on a shoot or using his camera, Keenan enjoys skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, cycling, whitewater rafting, and paragliding. If he’s outside, away from the distractions of society and civilization, he’s in his happy place.

Keenan studied Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver while minoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Since earning his degree in 2019 he was worked with a wide range of clients, companies, and organizations throughout his career. Apart from photography he specializes in content creation, writing, brand development, and graphic design.

You can view Keenan’s portfolio on his website at www.keenanhurshphoto.com