The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED ($799.95) is just one of many in the company's series of f/1.8 prime lenses. It's the widest of the bunch, but even when shot at its maximum aperture it is quite sharp in the center.

Ultra-wide field of view; Wide aperture; 7.8-inch close focus

Some edge softness unless stopped down; Modest barrel distortion; Lacks optical stabilization

This is an astounding lens. I sold my 16-35mm f/4 for it and Im not regretting it for a minute. Its better in pretty much every regard (apart from the obvious lack of zoom). Ithits all the marks, including some aspects that are not always covered in reviews, but are important to me for landscape...

This compact ultra wide angle lens from Nikon costs around ￡680 and sports a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture, silent, internal focusing with full time manual focus override and Nikon's Nano Crystal optical coating, to improve contrast while suppressing ghosting and flare.

Very sharp when stopped down; Relatively compact and lightweight; Silent focusing; Low distortion for an ultra-wide angle lens; Good value; Nano-Crystal optical coatings

Falloff of illumination is quite severe at max aperture; Could be sharper at maximum aperture

Sharp at all apertures; lightweight; low distortion for the Focal Length

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As optical design and construction improved, Nikon was able to introduce a more conventional Nikkor 20mm f/3.5 lens in 1967, and in 1989 the first Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 autofocus lens appeared.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED ($799.95) is just one of many in the company's series of f/1.8 prime lenses. It's the widest of the bunch, but even when shot at its maximum aperture it is quite sharp in the center. Landscape shooters will want to stop down for edge-to-edge crispness, and the lack of image stabilization is really only a concern when recording handheld video. The lens is a solid performer, and a good choice for any Nikon shooter that wants an ultra-wide-angle prime lens. It can be used with both full-frame and APS-C Nikon cameras. The 20mm ($796.95 at Amazon)  measures in at 3.1 by 3.2 inches (HD), weighs just 12.6 ounces, and uses large 77mm front filters. It can focus as close as 7.8 inches, which certainly doesn't qualify it as a macro lens, but does let you get up close and personal with subjects. When combined with the wide aperture, that allows for a very shallow depth of field. The only control switch on the lens toggles between manual and autofocus cont...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED is an affordable lens for wide-angle lovers, but you'll want to stop it down for the best image quality.

Ultra-wide field of view; Wide aperture; 7.8-inch close focus

Some edge softness unless stopped down; Modest barrel distortion; Lacks optical stabilization

Finally Nikon have an ultrawide angle lens with a fast aperture of F1.8. It also has the amazing VR which means you can handhold this lens at ridiculously slow shutter speeds. This means it is perfect interiors, architecture and landscapes where you do not have a tripod.

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G ED is a high-quality, compact and relatively affordable wide-angle lens for full-frame Nikon DSLR users, although it lacks any form of weather-sealing and optical image stabilisation.

I had the opportunity to do some interior shots with both the Nikon 14-24 mm f/2.8 and the 20 mm f/1.8 lens. At f/5.6 the definition of the 20 mm lens was just as good as the super 14-24 mm lens (at the same focal length).

I really like this lens. It's on my camera 75% of the time. Clarity is good. Focus is fast. Distortion is absolutely reasonable. A quality landscape lens if you use primes.