8 Best Nikon Landscape Lenses
Ready to gear up with the best Nikon landscape lens for capturing stunning scenery? Whether you’re an amateur or a seasoned pro, choosing the right lens for landscape photography is a big decision that directly affects your results.
Nikon lenses are a world-class choice for landscape photography. They let you adjust focal length, control reflected light, and fine-tune aperture to shoot beautiful scenes. Most experts recommend wide-angle Nikon lenses for maximum coverage, helping you fit everything in the frame.
Best Nikon Landscape Lens Comparison
| Name | Focal Length Range | Weight | Max. Aperture | Vibration Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G | 10-20mm | 230g | f/4.5-5.6 | AF-P Pulse Motor |
| Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm F2.8G | 14-24mm | 1000g | f/2.8 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
| Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G | 18-35mm | 385g | f/3.5-4.5 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
| Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4 | 16-80mm | 480g | f/2.8-4 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G | 35mm | 200g | f/1.8 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G | 18-105mm | 420g | f/3.5-5.6 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G | 18-200mm | 560g | f/3.5-5.6 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
| Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G | 28-300mm | 800g | f/3.5-5.6 | AF-S Silent Wave Motor |
1. Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G
This is the best buy if you want an ultra-wide-angle lens at a genuinely affordable price.
The 10-20mm focal length range captures impressive depth and detail. The f/4.5-5.6 aperture delivers solid image quality, and the lens handles bright photos well even in lower light conditions.
Key features:
- Compatible with most Nikon cameras
- Durable, lightweight, and compact
- Minimum focus distance of just 0.8 feet
- Ultra-wide-angle for expansive landscape shots
- 10-20mm focal length for maximum coverage
2. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G
When you need a professional lens that performs in any situation, pick this one without hesitation.
The f/2.8 maximum aperture makes it one of the fastest wide-angle zooms available. This award-winning lens is known for its exceptional color, contrast, and sharpness. Most professionals choose it for its durability and reliability in the field.
Key features:
- Extra durable and reliable build
- Award-winning performance
- Outstanding color, contrast, and sharpness
- Innovative optical design
- Ultra-fast autofocusing
- Higher price, but worth every dollar
3. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G
The 18mm to 35mm zoom range makes this a versatile pick for beginners, professionals, and photography enthusiasts alike. You can capture sharp, clear images even when your subject is as close as 0.92 feet away.
The ultra-fast and ultra-quiet autofocusing technology keeps up with fast-paced shooting situations.
Key features:
- Lightweight and durable
- f/3.5-4.5 aperture for sharp photos
- Broad focal length range for landscape and travel
- Extra-low dispersion and aspherical glass for clear, bright images
- Strong performance in low light
- Affordable price for the quality
4. Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4
The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4 is highly rated and performs well even in challenging light. With an aperture range of f/2.8-4, it handles landscape photography with ease.
Some photographers might think the aperture is too small for landscape work, but this lens consistently produces world-class shots. The 16mm to 80mm focal length range gives you plenty of flexibility. It’s also one of the lightest 5x zoom lenses available for landscape photography.
Key features:
- Versatile zoom range for distant subjects
- Minimum focus distance of just 1.15 feet
- Ideal for travel and landscape shoots
- Strong low-light performance
- Protective coating resists water and dust
- Compatible with most Nikon models
5. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
The 35mm prime lens is a standout option if you want the widest angle from a compact, lightweight lens. DX-format camera owners will appreciate the natural field of view and the f/1.8 aperture, which creates beautifully blurred backgrounds even in low light.
It’s not just great for landscapes. This lens doubles as a solid portrait lens too, making it a versatile travel companion.
Key features:
- Compact, durable, and lightweight
- Impressive low-light performance
- f/1.8 aperture for beautiful background blur
- Great for both landscape and portrait photography
- Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor for quiet focusing
- Aspherical elements to reduce ghosting
- M/A mode for easy manual/auto focus switching
6. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G
Not the cheapest option, but this telephoto lens with its 5.8x zoom range is excellent for landscape photographers who want more reach.
It’s compact, versatile, and captures sharp photos and video in almost any lighting condition. The Vibration Reduction (VR II) feature keeps your shots steady during handheld low-light and telephoto shooting. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) eliminates flare and ghosting for cleaner results.
Key features:
- Versatile lens with wide range of shooting options
- Great for interiors, landscapes, portraits, and video
- Super Integrated Coating reduces flare and ghosting
- Extra-low Dispersion glass minimizes chromatic aberration
- Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet focusing
- f/3.5-5.6 aperture for solid low-light results
7. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G
For landscape photographers who want maximum zoom without swapping lenses, the 18-200mm is the one to get. It covers everything from wide-angle group shots to telephoto landscape details.
The VR II feature allows steady handheld shooting with accurate colors even in dim conditions. The 11x zoom range makes it one of the most versatile options for landscape photography. Silent Wave Motor keeps focusing fast, accurate, and quiet.
Key features:
- 11x wide-angle to telephoto zoom
- VR II for steady low-light shooting
- 18-200mm range covers almost everything
- 5-stop image stabilization for blur-free handheld shots
- Silent Wave Motor for fast, quiet focus
- Versatile zoom with many shooting options
8. Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G
Nikon’s 28-300mm zoom lens is a powerful all-in-one option for landscape and travel photography. The broad zoom range with f/5.6 maximum aperture captures sharp, clear images in various lighting conditions.
The 10.7x zoom makes it versatile enough for landscapes, portraits, and travel. It’s optimized for both FX and DX-format DSLRs, and delivers NIKKOR-quality results from amateurs through professionals.
Key features:
- VR II for steady handheld shooting
- M/A mode for auto/manual focus switching
- Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass reduces chromatic aberration
- Super Integrated Coating prevents flare and ghosting
- 18-inch minimum focus distance
- 10.7x zoom for versatile landscape shooting
Which Nikon Landscape Lens Should You Choose?
You can shoot landscapes with almost any lens, from standard zooms to telephotos. But a wide-angle zoom lens is the classic choice for landscape photography because of its ability to capture expansive scenes with impressive detail.
For the best results, pair your Nikon landscape lens with a camera designed for landscape photography.