Brand:
Rokinon 16MAF-N 16mm f/2.0
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As a real estate photographer, you want a lens that can capture the entire room regardless of how limited the subject's distance is. With the common choices being 16mm and 24mm lenses, the following 16mm vs 24m guide reveals the performance differences between these lenses.
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Focal length is so crucial in a lens to the extent that it's usually indicated on the lens barrel and is usually associated with the lens naming. If you see a label with mm on the camera lens barrel, then it's the focal length.
The focal length affects other lens specifications, such as the aperture. When comparing the 16mm and 24mm lenses, I focus on how their difference in focal length affects their overall performance and usability.
16mm simply refers to a camera lens with a short focal length of 16mm. That means if you take a measuring tape and measure the distance between the center of the lens and where the sensor of the camera is usually located when the lens is attached, it is equal to 16mm.
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Brand:
Rokinon 16MAF-N 16mm f/2.0
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Brand:
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16mmF2.8
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Brand:
Sony SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8
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Compatible Mountings:
Nikon DX
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Compatible Mountings:
Fujifilm X
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Compatible Mountings:
Sony E
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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4.3
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4.7
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4.2
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However, this is not just a normal distance of moving from point A to B. Instead, the distance incorporates the design of the optical elements that help to converge the light from the subject before it reaches the sensor, affecting the overall performance of the lens.
Like the 16mm, 24mm refers to a lens with a focal length of 24mm. Note that the 24mm is just one of the lens specifications, and it doesn't mean all 24mm lenses perform the same. Usually, other factors come into play, such as image stabilization and aperture.
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Brand:
Sony E-mount FE 24mm
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Brand:
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1
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Brand:
Sigma 24mm f/1.4
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Compatible Mountings:
Sony E
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Compatible Mountings:
Nikon Z
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Compatible Mountings:
Canon EF
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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Lens Type:
Wide Angle
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4.7
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4.6
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4.4
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For instance, having a Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 doesn't mean the lens mount is designed for a crop factor camera or not, or the physical design is weather-resistant. However, the focal length affects the lens perspective and performance in poor lighting.
If you are torn between a 16mm and a 24mm unit, the following similarities and differences can help you determine the best focal length for your
Although the difference in focal lengths means the two lenses can't view the same amount of scene when shooting at the same subject distance, both are wide-angle lenses with the following similarities.
Even if the 8mm focal length difference between the lenses might seem small, it results in the following differences that make one lens outperform the other under certain situations.
Most DSLR and mirrorless cameras are interchangeable lenses, which means you can mount a lens that suits that shooting condition and detach and mount a different lens if the conditions change. Usually, this creates versatility on the side of the camera as you can use the same camera to shoot in a wide array of conditions.
However, the issue arises regarding the availability of the lenses. Generally, the 24mm unit is more available than the 16mm unit. In most camera brands and models, the 24mm unit even comes as a kit lens, so you don't have to buy it separately.
On the other hand, the 16mm lens is not as available. For instance, a major camera brand for real estate such as Canon only manufactures the 16mm unit as an entry-level lens for the RF mount. Generally, most of the 16mm lenses are manufactured by third-party lens manufacturers such as Rokinon 16MAF-N 16mm and Meike.
If you have ever taken a portrait with a wide-angle lens, you might be familiar with the abnormality that appears on the person's face, especially the nose. In most cases, the abnormalities make the nose broad, and a flattering smile turns into an unflattering wide-open mouth.
Usually, these abnormalities result from barrel distortions as the lens tries to compress a large scene to fit in the small camera sensor. Since this is about the compression of a scene being compressed, the more the compression, the more the distortions.
Considering that the 16mm lens has a wider field of view compared to the 24mm unit, it results in more distortions. If you take exterior pictures of the property using the 16mm unit, the walls might appear more curved.
The major distinguishing factor between the 16mm and 24mm lenses is the angle of view. The 16mm lens field of view is around 107 degrees, while the field of view of the 24mm lens is around 84.1 degrees when the lenses are mounted on the full-frame sensor.
As a result, the 24mm unit is classified as a normal wide-angle lens, while the 16mm unit is classified as an ultra-wide-angle lens. Note that this angle of view tends to narrow when you mount the lens on a camera with a smaller sensor size.
You can get the equivalent angle of view by multiplying the focal length when the lens is mounted on a full-frame camera by the camera's crop factor. For instance, the 24mm unit has an equivalent focal length of 36mm when mounted on a Nikon DX-format camera.
The ability of the 16mm unit to take broader photos at a limited subject distance makes it great for use in the following instances.
The better availability of the 24mm lens and its limited wide-angle perspective makes it ideal for use in the following scenarios.
The 24mm lens is generally better as it's more versatile. For instance, to get a wide-angle perspective you can pair it with a full-frame sensor and a crop factor camera such as the Canon APS-C sensor with a crop of 1.6x to get an equivalent normal perspective of 38.4mm.
Yes, the 24mm lens blurs the background better than the 16mm unit. This is because the aperture is a fraction of the angle of view. At the same aperture opening, the focal length of the 24mm unit is larger, making the equivalent aperture larger.
The 16mm lens is good for vlogging as you can set it up, and it will capture a large scene that allows you to showcase what you want without having to readjust it. The ultra-wide-angle perspective is also beneficial, as you can shoot in cramped places such as kitchens.
Technically, you can shoot distant subjects with a 16mm lens. However, this focal length might not magnify the subject enough to show the finer details than the 24mm unit.
With the above 16mm vs 24mm guide, you won't have much trouble choosing a lens that meets your requirements. If you take photos in tight corners, go for the 16mm unit. If you want a lens to use in a wider range of situations, go for the 24mm unit.
