The best fisheye lenses in 2025: see the bigger picture with a 180º view

Best fisheye lenses
Sample image taken with a circular fisheye lens (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fisheye lenses were invented to enable meteorologists to keep a close watch on the weather, with a 180º field of view, but these offbeat scientific lenses soon found favor with more adventurous photographers, vloggers, and filmmakers. You see, by taking advantage of that extreme viewing angle, fisheye lenses can seriously improve your creative photography.

Even the widest of regular wide-angle lenses can't compete with the aesthetic of a fisheye lens. Whereas regular wide-angle lenses have a rectilinear design that aims to minimize distortion, the curvilinear nature of fisheye lenses produces extreme barrel distortion, giving images a bold and unique look.

Nowadays, fisheye lenses have grown popular for underwater shooting, extreme sports, astrophotography and even creating virtual environments. But what are the best fisheye lenses? The first thing you need to realize is that there are two main types of fisheye lenses: full-field diagonal fisheyes and circular fisheyes.

Diagonal fisheyes (also sometimes confusingly called ‘full-frame’ fisheyes) produce an image circle that’s large enough to cover the entire image sensor. Whether designed for a full-frame or crop sensor camera, the resulting image has a regular, full-sized rectangular shape. However, it only gives a 180-degree viewing angle when measured on the diagonal of the frame.

Circular fisheyes produce a smaller image circle that fits within the boundary of the image sensor. In this case, you end up with a smaller, circular image but with an even wider viewing angle, equating to a full 180 degrees in both vertical and horizontal planes.

Most fisheyes are primes, but there are also fisheye zooms, some of which transform from a diagonal to circular fisheye at either end of the zoom range. Let's take a closer – a much closer – look…

Matthew Richards
Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to the very best fisheye lenses.

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The best fisheye lenses

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Fastest diagonal fisheye

(Image credit: Matthew Richards)
This is the best diagonal fisheye – as long as you have a Sony E or Leica L mirrorless

Specifications

Mount: Leica L, Sony E (FE)
Full frame: Yes
Type: Diagonal
Diaphragm blades: 11
Focus: Autofocus
Minimum focus distance: 0.38m
Maximum magnification: 0.06x
Hood: Built-in
Dimensions (WxL): 104x158mm
Weight: 1360g

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent image quality
+
Fast f/1.4 aperture
+
Pro-grade build and handling

Reasons to avoid

-
Relatively big and heavy
-
Expensive for a fisheye lens

I’ve seen some seriously small fisheye lenses over the years; they tend to be very much more compact and lightweight than rectilinear ultra-wide-angle prime and zoom lenses. This one is a comparative heavyweight, however, and comes complete with a tripod mounting ring that has an Arca-Swiss profile. I like that this ring is completely removable and the lens comes with a rubber band that you can slip in its place, making it better suited for handheld shooting.

The optical design is relatively complex for a fisheye lens, based on 21 elements arranged in 15 groups. To boost performance, the optical path includes three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements and four top-grade FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion) elements. The lens is also uncommonly fast for a fisheye, with an f/1.4 aperture. It's a seriously pro-grade lens with top build quality and performance – and a price tag to match.

See our full Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art review

Best diagonal fisheye for crop-sensor cameras

best fisheye lens: Samyang 8mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-Eye CS II

(Image credit: Digital Camera World)
Best diagonal fisheye for crop sensor cameras, with or without hood

Specifications

Mount: Canon EF-S, Canon M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A, Sony E, Samsung NX
Full frame: No
Type: Diagonal
Elements/groups: 10/7
Diaphragm blades: Unspecified
Focus: Manual focus
Minimum focus distance: 0.3m
Maximum magnification: Mount-dependent
Hood: Bayonet-fit or fixed
Dimensions (WxL): 78x73-101mm (varies with mount)
Weight: 410-515g (varies with mount)

Reasons to buy

+
Detachable hood version available 
+
Wide range of mount options

Reasons to avoid

-
No autofocus 
-
Only Nikon version has camera-based aperture control

This is essentially a crop-sensor version of the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS diagonal fisheye for full-frame cameras. As such, it has a shorter focal length to enable a similar 180º viewing angle, measured on the diagonal of the frame.

Mount options are many and varied, including Canon EF-S and EF-M, Fujifilm X, MFT, Nikon DX, Pentax K, Sony A, Sony E, and Samsung NX. Conversely, while the Samyang 12mm full-frame compatible lens is marketed in a selection of mount options that only feature crop-sensor cameras, this crop-format lens can also be used on full-frame bodies, where available in the camera range.

With this in mind, a ‘DH’ (detachable hood) option has recently been added. Both versions are optically identical but the DH edition avoids vignetting when shooting with a full-frame camera. This lens is sold under the Rokinon brand in North America.

See our full Samyang/Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 UMC Fish-Eye CS II review

Best diagonal fisheye for full-frame mirrorless

(Image credit: Matthew Richards)
A great option for a wide variety of full-frame mirrorless cameras

Specifications

Mount: Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z, Sony FE
Full frame: Yes
Type: Diagonal
Elements/groups: 11/9
Diaphragm blades: 8
Focus: Manual
Minimum focus distance: 0.17m
Hood: Fixed
Dimensions (WxL): 87x68mm
Weight: 570g

Reasons to buy

+
Great edge-to-edge sharpness
+
Solid metal construction
+
‘De-clicked’ aperture control ring

Reasons to avoid

-
No autofocus, but it’s no problem
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Fully manual, so no EXIF data
-
Not weather-sealed

Who says a new lens has to break the bank? This diagonal fisheye can be had for a bargain price, yet you'll still get the same bulging fisheye wow factor as you'd get from a much pricier optic. So what's the catch? Well, predictably, this is a fully manual lens, meaning you'll need to focus manually and set your exposure manually, as there are no electronic contacts to transmit exposure metering information.

However, this needn't be a deal breaker, as the depth of field is large enough at such short focal lengths to make manual focusing fairly easy. Its diagonal fisheye field of view has been tailored to APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, offering a similar effective field of view to a 10mm full-frame fisheye lens.

See our full 7Artisans 10mm f/2.8 II Fish-Eye ED review

Best cheap full-frame diagonal fisheye

(Image credit: Beth Nicholls)
A fun, affordable if slghtly flawed fisheye

Specifications

Mount: Canon RF, GFX, L-Mount, Nikon Z, Sony E
Full frame: Yes
Type: Diagonal
Diaphragm blades: 5
Focus: Manual
Minimum focus distance: 0.2m
Maximum magnification: Not specified
Hood: None
Dimensions (WxL): 90 x 100mm
Weight: 758g

Reasons to buy

+
Focus to infinity is ideal for streets and landscapes
+
Easy to use with built-in aperture ring
+
Takes sharp shots when in focus
+
Fun to use

Reasons to avoid

-
Manual focus can be tricky
-
Heavy for traveling with
-
Distortion can be overkill and a bit trippy

The AstrHori 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens offers an affordable entry into the world fisheye photography for full-frame mirrorless camera users. Its all-metal construction provides a reassuringly solid feel, and it features a convenient clicked aperture ring that allows for easy on-the-fly adjustments. The lens also includes a handy 'focus to infinity' setting on the barrel, which is particularly useful for achieving sharp landscape shots.

The AstrHori 12mm f/2.8 delivers sharp images with impressive detail. The fast f/2.8 maximum aperture is a significant advantage, not only for shooting in low-light conditions but also for creating a subtle bokeh effect. However, the manual focus can present a learning curve for photographers accustomed to autofocus.

In our review sample, however, a mysterious, intermittent blur would appear and then vanish from the lens element. Despite this, the lens's budget-friendly price point makes it an attractive choice for both beginners and experienced photographers on a budget looking to experiment with the unique perspective of a fisheye lens.

See our full AstrHori 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye review

Best diagonal full-frame fisheye for multi-mount options

(Image credit: Samyang)
An appealing budget-priced diagonal fisheye lens for full-frame cameras

Specifications

Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A, Canon M, Fujifilm X, Samsung NX, Sony E, MFT
Full frame: Yes
Type: Diagonal
Diaphragm blades: 7
Focus: Manual
Minimum focus distance: 0.2m
Maximum magnification: Unspecified
Hood: Build-in
Dimensions (WxL): 77x70-99mm (mount dependent)
Weight: 500-565g (mount dependent)

Reasons to buy

+
Tough aluminum barrel
+
Detachable hood
+
Good resistance to ghosting and flare

Reasons to avoid

-
Only the Nikon version has electronics
-
Not weather-sealed

The Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fish-eye is a manual-focus lens that brings the dramatic, ultra-wide perspective of a diagonal fisheye to full-frame cameras in a wide variety of mounts at an affordable price point. It delivers excellent sharpness across the frame, even at its widest aperture of f/2.8. The inclusion of aspherical and extra-low dispersion (ED) elements in its 12-element construction helps to minimize chromatic aberration and ensure high-resolution images. Furthermore, the nano-crystal coating effectively reduces ghosting and flare, even in challenging, high-contrast lighting situations.

While the lens is primarily manual, with smooth and well-damped focus and aperture rings, the Nikon F-mount version offers the convenience of electronic aperture control directly from the camera body. This is a welcome feature for Nikon users, as it allows for easier and faster adjustments in the field.

The build quality is solid, with a robust construction that feels durable in the hand. The integrated, petal-shaped lens hood provides some protection for the bulbous front element, which, due to its design, cannot accommodate traditional filters. Overall, the Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fish-eye is a compelling option for photographers seeking a high-performing fisheye lens without the premium price tag.

See our full Samyang/Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS Fish-eye review

Best circular fisheye

(Image credit: Future)
Circular fisheye for MFT, Fujifilm and Canon EF-M cameras

Specifications

Mount: Micro Four Thirds, Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Sony E
Full frame: No
Type: Circular
Diaphragm blades: 7
Focus: Manual
Minimum focus distance: 0.088m
Maximum magnification: 0.11x
Hood: None
Dimensions (WxL): 45.2 x 82mm
Weight: 135g

Reasons to buy

+
Circular fisheye
+
Ultra compact and light
+
Very affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
210° angle of view makes it hard to keep your feet and fingers out of the frame

Originally released for the Micro Four Thirds mount, this compact circular fisheye is now available for Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, and Sony E cameras as well. For the cost, you might expect a plasticky construction, but I was impressed by the build of this lens.

It is really small, so it's easy to carry around in a spare corner of your camera bag, just in case you find a use for it when out and about. Its angle-of-view is even wider than most fisheyes, offering a 210° view of the world – but this does mean you have to be careful to ensure that your extremities don't creep into your pictures.

See our full Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye review

Best circular-to-diagonal fisheye zoom

(Image credit: Future)
Why choose a circular or diagonal fisheye when you can have both?

Specifications

Mount: Canon EF
Full frame: Yes
Type: Circular & diagonal
Elements/groups: 14/11
Diaphragm blades: 7
Focus: Autofocus (ultrasonic ring)
Minimum focus distance: 0.15m
Maximum magnification: 0.34x
Hood: Bayonet-fit
Dimensions (WxL): 79x83mm
Weight: 540g

Reasons to buy

+
Best fisheye for Canon DSLRs
+
Great image quality 
+
Solid all-round performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Versatility lost on APS-C sensors

On a full-frame Canon SLR, this lens works as a circular fisheye at its shortest 8mm focal length. Zoom to the 15mm end of the range and it becomes a diagonal fisheye that still gives an extremely wide viewing angle, complete with the pronounced barrel distortion associated with curvilinear lenses.

It's an easy lens to live with, especially as it's like having two fisheye lenses in one. Because the bulbous front element protrudes from the lens, a two-stage lens cap is supplied, the barrel section of which also acts as a lens hood when used at 15mm. However, you need to remove it when shooting at shorter focal lengths.

See our full Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens review

Best diagonal fisheye-to-ultra-wide zoom

(Image credit: Rod Lawton)
This zoom goes from fisheye at the wide end to merely ultra-wide when zoomed in

Specifications

Mount: Pentax K (AF)
Full frame: Yes/No
Type: Diagonal
Diaphragm blades: 9
Focus: Camera body
Minimum focus distance: 0.14m
Maximum magnification: 0.39x
Hood: Build-in
Dimensions (WxL): 67.5 x 70mm
Weight: 323g

Reasons to buy

+
Ultra-wide fisheye capture
+
Compositional control with zoom

Reasons to avoid

-
Crude autofocus
-
Is the 17mm setting useful?

The HD Pentax-DA Fisheye 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED is a unique and versatile fisheye zoom lens designed for Pentax DSLR cameras. Its key selling point is its ability to transition from a full 180-degree diagonal fisheye view at its widest 10mm setting to a less extreme, but still dramatically wide, 100-degree perspective at 17mm. This zoom functionality offers a level of creative flexibility that is uncommon in fisheye lenses, allowing photographers to capture everything from immersive, distorted scenes to expansive, ultra-wide-angle shots without changing lenses.

The lens produces impressively consistent illumination across the entire image frame, a valuable characteristic for both indoor and outdoor photography. This evenness of light ensures that images are well-exposed from corner to corner, minimizing the need for post-processing adjustments.

However, the lens does have some drawbacks. I found its autofocus system, which is driven by the camera body, is noisy, choppy, and at times, hesitant. Additionally, the design of the lens, with its shallow, built-in hood, precludes the use of filters, which could be a limitation for landscape photographers who rely on them for exposure control and creative effects. But despite these limitations, the HD Pentax-DA Fisheye 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED remains a compelling option for Pentax users looking to explore the dynamic and often surreal world of fisheye photography.

See our full HD Pentax-DA Fisheye 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED review

Best pancake fisheye

(Image credit: Rod Lawton/Digital Camera World)
It's literally as flat and as light as a pancake!

Specifications

Mount: Micro Four Thirds
Elements/groups: 5/4
Diaphragm blades: 1
Autofocus: Stepping motor
Stabilizer: No
Min focus distance: 0.2m
Max magnification: 0.046x
Filter thread: NA
Dimensions (WxL): 56 x 12.8mm
Weight: 30g

Reasons to buy

+
The thinnest, lightest lens ever!
+
Brilliantly fun and genuinely versatile

Reasons to avoid

-
Aperture is fixed at f/8
-
Easy to misalign focus switch

The Olympus 9mm f/8 Fisheye Body Cap Lens is one of the most unusual – and most brilliant – lenses I've ever used, and it's an absolutely perfect pancake performer. On paper, it may seem a Lomography-like toy lens; its elements are constructed of plastic and it only has a single aperture setting (f/8). However, these things are all to its advantage as that makes this optic literally as thin and as light as a pancake! It's an ingenious bit of design, as the lens is only moderately thicker than a body cap lens – so you can leave it on your camera in lieu of a cap, and be ready to shoot at a moment's notice.

Moreover, when affixed to a body like the Olympus PEN E-PL10 you achieve an incredible street photography setup – right down to Weegee's immortal "f/8 and be there" mantra. While on one hand that narrow aperture can seem limiting, on the other it adds to the true charm of this lens, increasing depth of field, making it fantastic for street, travel, and reportage.

Furthermore, it features light fisheye characteristics (with full-frame coverage), meaning that you can experiment with extreme field of view effects without having to shell out for a dedicated fisheye lens. And best of all, it's dirt cheap, retailing for well under 100 bucks/quid in the US and UK, making it essentially a no-risk purchase.

See our full Olympus 9mm f/8 Fisheye Body Cap Lens review

How we test lenses

We test lenses using a mix of both real-world sample images and lab tests. Our lab tests are carried out scientifically in controlled conditions using the Imatest testing suite, which consists of custom charts and analysis software that measures resolution in line widths/picture height, a measurement widely used in lens and camera testing. We find the combination of lab and real-world testing works best, as each reveals different qualities and characteristics.

Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.

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