Now that the focal length has been expanded to 20mm, we like the new version even better. When the previous version of this APS-format lens-the 11–16mm f/2.8-was released in 2008, we gave it a POP Award. Tokina AT-X 11–20mm f/2.8 Pro DX $549 Popular Photography Meanwhile, its highly customizable touchscreen and hard-button controls make operation a joy. Furthermore, it holds on to top honors with an Extremely Low rating up to ISO 1600. The camera doesn’t reach an Unacceptable rating until its top sensitivity of ISO 25,600. Most impressive is its noise performance. The first Micro Four Thirds camera body to use a sensor greater than 16MP, the GX8’s 20.3 LiveMOS earns an Excellent rating in our lab test up to ISO 800. Panasonic Lumix GX8 $1,198, body only Popular Photography And the maximum subject magnification is 1:4.3 at a very tight focusing distance of 5.75 inches-the closest focusing ultra-wide lens we’ve tested. With a great hand feel and smooth manual focus ring, the lens also provides easy-to-read markings that include a depth-of-field scale for all apertures-almost unheard of these days. In 2015, Fujifilm continued to build out its APS-C lens lineup for its X-series cameras, and this represents the cream of that crop.

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR $999 Popular Photography Like some f/1.4 ultra-wides, it foregoes filter threading Canon provides a rear gelatin-filter holder, a nice touch for this 4.25 inch-wide diameter.

By 18mm distortion was in the Imperceptible range-our top designation. It produced Visible-range barrel distortion at 11mm, but considering the lens is nearly a fisheye, that’s acceptable. With six specialty glass elements and three coatings for flare and glare control, it edged out its closest rival, the Sigma 12–24mm, with Excellent-range SQF scores at all focal lengths. This is the widest-angle non-fisheye full-frame zoom in current production, and it aced every test we threw at it.

Canon EF 11–24mm f/4L USM $2,999 Popular Photography

Best camera 2015 under 100