Comparison of APS-C lenses according to sharpness

Scores of the most popular APS-C lenses according to their resolution capability.

The resolution capacity tests, therefore the level of detail in the photos are based on the MTF score, and aim to show the optimal amount of information provided by the lens at different focal lengths and apertures of the diaphragm. A summary value is then calculated.

For Dxomark these tests are carried out in low light at 1/60 of a second. This is the reason why the scores are higher on full-frame cameras than on APS-C. In the daylight, the values would have been closer.
Scores are also more favorable for wide-aperture lenses.

For optical limits results, the score displayed here is that of the maximum possible resolution, all apertures and focal lengths considered. More complete results can be found on the site and also many other less commonly used lenses.

APS-C lenses scores

The list also includes full-frame lenses tested on APS-C cameras.

Lens
 Dxomark Optical Limits
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
 8  
Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
  2571 / 15 MP
Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM
 11  
Canon EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM
 9 2571 / 15 MP
Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM
9 2638 / 15 MP
Canon EF 40mm F2.8 STM Pancake
9 2592 / 15 MP
Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM
12  
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
 10 2598 / 15 MP
   
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM
 8 2579 / 15 MP
Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM
 7 2512 / 15 MP
Canon EF-S 18-200mm_f/3.5-5.6 IS
 5 2631 / 15 MP
Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
 7  
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
 8 2488 / 15 MP
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
 7 2470 / 15 MP
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
 7 2352 / 15 MP
   
Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
 13 3395 / 24 MP
Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM
 14 3244 / 24 MP
Canon EF-M 15-45mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
  3232 / 24 MP
Canon EF-M 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM
 8 2439 / 15 MP
   
Sony E 20mm F2.8 Pancake
9  
Sony FE 28mm F2
 14  
Sony E 30mm F3.5 Macro
 8 3392 / 24 MP
Sony E 35mm f/1.8
 11 3457 / 24 MP
Sony FE 50mm F1.8
 12 3103 / 24 MP
Sony FE 50mm F2.8 MACRO
 12  
   
Sony E 10-18mm f/4
 8 3521 / 24 MP
Sony E 16-50 F3.5-5.6 OSS PZ
 6 3371 / 24 MP
Sony E 18-105mm F4 G OSS PZ
 9 3620 / 24 MP
Sony E 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 LE
 5 2641 / 14 MP
Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
 20  
Sony FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
 6  
Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
 8  
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
 6 2868 / 24 MP
Sony E 70-350mm f/4.5-6.3 G OSS
   3159 / 24 MP
   
   
Tamron SP 10-24MM F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical IF Nikon
7 2601 / 16 MP
Tamron SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012) Canon
 9  
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Canon / Nikon
10 2825 / 16 MP
Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO Canon
 6  
Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC Sony E
 4  
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Macro
  2063 / 8 MP
Tamron 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Canon
 5 2080 / 8 MP
Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD
5 2629 / 16 MP
Tamron SP 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC USD Canon
 9 2511 / 15 MP
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Canon
 9  
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 SP Di VC USD
   2395 / 15 MP
   
Sigma 19mm F2.8 EX DN Sony E
 10 3447 / 24 MP
Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Canon
 13  
Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Canon
 12 3216 / 20 MP
Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN Sony E
 12 3550 / 24 MP
Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN C Sony E / Canon
16 2117 / 8 MP
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Canon
 12 2698 / 15 MP
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Art Canon
13  
   
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM OS Canon
  2652 / 15 MP
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Canon
 9 2643 / 15 MP
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
 16 2633 / 15 MP
Sigma 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Canon
 5 2468 / 15 MP
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C Canon
 9  
Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM Canon
 6  
   
Samyang 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC Aspherical Canon
 10 2557 / 15 MP
Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS Canon
 14  
Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Canon
 7  
Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC Canon
  2610 / 15 MP
   
Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D
 12 2644 / 16 MP
Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D
 12 2698 / 16 MP
Nikon AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D
 11 2773 / 16 MP
Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm f/2D
 12 2870 / 16 MP
   
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm
 7 2640 / 16 MP
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm
 9  
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
 10  
Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED
 6 2862 / 16 MP
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
 8 2706 / 16 MP
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR
 9  
Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED
 9  
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II
 11  
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED
 7  
   
Nikon Z AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G
 14  
   
Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R
   3127 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 16mm F/1.4
  3000 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R
   2954 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR
   3052 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 35mm f/1.4 R
   3033 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 R WR
   3078 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 50mm f/2 R WR
   3089 / 16 MP
   
Fujinon XF 10-24 f/4 R OIS
  3157 / 16 MP
Fujinon XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS
   2697 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR
   3134 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR
   3684 / 26 MP
Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS
   2998 / 16 MP
Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
   2886 / 16 MP
Fujinon XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS
   2755 / 16 MP
   

To have more specifications on the lenses, or more models, consult the DXOMARK database.

For resolution scores at different focal lengths and apertures, see the Optical Limits website.

Some recent APS-C lenses do not yet have a score for the two sites considered here but have very positive evaluations by other testers:

See also ...