This article has the best pancake lens for all the major camera brands. Whether you have a Canon, Nikon, or Sony camera, we have the best pancake lens for you. They are compact, affordable, and a must-have in every camera bag.
The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is our top pancake lens. It has a lovely wide-angle focal length. The optics are sharp for excellent image quality. And it has a fast aperture for fantastic exposure control. It’s a great pancake lens for Canon cameras.
What Is the Best Pancake Lens?
The best pancake lens is compact and lightweight with sharp optics. They get their name from their flat and round shape. The lenses are as flat as pancakes.
Pancake lenses have wide-angle or standard-angle focal lengths. This makes them popular with street and travel photographers. And you can also use them for landscapes and cityscapes. Real estate photographers even use them for property interiors.
The compact design makes them popular with different types of photographers. Street photographers love them for their wide-angle focal lengths. And their compact nature helps the photographers keep a low profile.
The compact and lightweight build makes pancake lenses popular in travel photography. They give you a good shot variety. And they take up very little space in your travel camera bag.
Pancake lenses are often an affordable lens choice. That’s good news for budget-conscious photographers. And it makes them a great place to start for beginners. The simple design makes them easy to use. You just clip it on and start shooting.
Here’s a brief introduction to all the best pancake lenses. We’ll look at each in more detail in the section after. And we have a FAQ section on pancake lenses at the end.
- Incredibly lightweight design
- Fantastic optics for sharp and clean images
- STM motor for smooth focus tracking and and quiet focusing
- 38mm equivalent focal length on a full frame camera
- Compact and lightweight
- A versatile 40mm view and fast f/2.0 aperture
- Fast, near-silent autofocus (AF) and close focusing capabilities
- 9-blade rounded diaphragm for beautiful background blur and natural bokeh
- Wide-angle focal length with sharp optics
- Smooth, quiet AF and aperture operation
- Aspherical elements reduces chromatic aberration
- Compact and lightweight with internal focussing
- Ultra slim and compact lens
- Bright f/2.0 maximum aperture
- Built-in stepping motor for smooth AF
- Circular aperture for soft background bokeh
- Ultra thin and portable for travel
- Versatile 3x zoom range for photography and video
- ZERO coating reduces glare and distortion
- Compatible with Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras
- Fujifilm's most compact and lightweight lens
- Aspherical glass elements for reduced aberration and glare
- Reduced vignetting and color shading due to close rear element to sensor
- Super EBC (Electronic Beam Coating) for improved optical performance
- A versatile prime lens with good low-light performance
- Wide angle of view with edge-to-edge sharpness
- Silent AF system that's fast and smooth
- 46mm filter thread and low profile for travel
- Compatible with Nikon's APS-C mirrorless cameras
- Fast-focusing lens covers wide-angle to portrait views
- Built-in vibration reduction gives you 4.5 stops of compensation
- Minimum focus distance of 0.2m for close-up details
- Ultra-thin, pancake design
- HD coating for sharp images
- 40mm focal length (60mm in 35mm film)
- 9-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh effects
- Ultra-slim design for discreet, easy carrying
- Fast f/2.8 aperture for low-light shooting
- 34mm equivalent focal length for versatile shots
- Digital-dedicated design for superior performance
10 Best Pancake Lenses
We have a pancake lens for every major camera brand. Of course, we have Canon, Nikon, and Sony lenses. But we also have pancake lenses for Fujifilm, Olympus, and Panasonic.
They are all fantastic lenses. And even photographers with a tight budget can fork out on a pancake lens.
1. Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM
| Brand |
Brand
Canon
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon EF-S
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
24 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
7-bladed rounded aperture, full-time manual focus
|
| Best For |
Best For
Canon APS-C DSLR cameras
|
The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is the best pancake lens for Canon DSLR cameras. It has a wide 24mm focal length. It takes sharp and clear images. And it’s one of the most affordable prime lenses you can find. It’s a solid-gold bargain!
The 24mm focal length gives you a terrific wide angle. It’s perfect for street photography and exterior architecture shots. The ultra-small size helps you stay discreet. And it takes up very little space in your camera backpack or messenger bag.
You can also use the lens for environmental portraits. And the fast f/2.8 aperture helps you achieve a shallow depth of field. The seven-blade aperture diaphragm also helps to give you a smooth bokeh effect.
The fast aperture gives you more exposure control in low light. It adds to the lens’s versatility, letting you shoot in changing conditions.
The lens uses Canon’s STM system for autofocus (AF). It’s the older AF motor. But it still gives you fast and reliable focusing. You also get full-time manual focus, so you can take control by turning the focus ring.
The EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is a versatile and affordable pancake lens. It’s a fantastic choice for some of Canon’s best beginner cameras. But it’s a great option for Canon users at any level.
2. Nikon Z 40mm f/2.0
| Brand |
Brand
Nikon
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.0
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
40 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
9-blade rounded aperture, no focus breathing, custom control ring
|
| Best For |
Best For
Nikon mirrorless cameras
|
The Nikon Z 40mm f/2.0 is the best pancake lens for Nikon mirrorless cameras. It’s one of the fatter pancake lenses. But it’s still a compact prime lens.
It’s compatible with APS-C and full frame cameras. It has a versatile field of view. And the optics couldn’t be much sharper.
The lens has a 40mm focal length when you use it with a full frame camera. That’s great for street, travel, and landscape photography.
When you use the lens with an APS-C camera, it gives you a 60mm focal length. And the tighter frame is great for portrait photography.
The f/2.0 aperture gives you excellent exposure setting options. You can shoot in low light. And you have excellent control over depth of field. The nine-blade aperture also enhances its beautiful bokeh effect.
The AF system is excellent for a lens of this size. It’s fast, smooth, and quiet. But it also reduces focus breathing. And this is ideal if you’re using the lens for videography.
Plus, the lens has a custom control ring. So you can set it to adjust focus, aperture, or ISO, giving you a new level of control.
The Z 40mm f/2.0 is a superb pancake lens. The build quality is fantastic. And it’s a versatile prime lens for shooting photos and videos. So it’s one of the best-value lenses in Nikon’s Z series.
3. Sony E 16mm f/2.8
| Brand |
Brand
Sony
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Sony E
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
16 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Circular aperture, aspherical lens, internal focusing
|
| Best For |
Best For
Sony APS-C cameras
|
The Sony E 16mm f/2.8 is a must-have lens for a Sony APS-C camera. It’s a fabulous pancake lens that’s packed with features. It delivers on image quality. And it’s an affordable addition to your Sony lens collection.
It gives you a super wide angle with a 16mm focal length. That makes it a fantastic lens for real estate photography. And you can capture epic landscape photographs.
The glass engineering is excellent. And it even has an aspherical lens that reduces chromatic aberration. It also reduces the number of glass elements needed in the lens. So the overall weight is kept down.
You get good exposure control with the fast f/2.8 aperture. And the rounded aperture diaphragm helps you get a rich and smooth background bokeh. This looks fantastic in wide-view fashion photography or group portraits.
The AF system is excellent for a pancake lens. It has an internal focusing system, so the outer elements don’t rotate when you focus. That means you can use photography filters. It also means you have fast and smooth focusing.
The E 16mm f/2.8 is one of the most advanced pancake lenses on the market. It’s small and convenient. But it’s sophisticated and sharp. It’s the perfect partner for your Sony camera.
4. Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM
| Brand |
Brand
Canon
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Canon EF-M
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.0
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
22 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Aspherical element, rounded aperture
|
| Best For |
Best For
Canon APS-C mirrorless cameras
|
The Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM is the best pancake lens for Canon mirrorless cameras. It’s compatible with their APS-C mirrorless cameras. And it has all the characteristics of a pancake lens.
The 22mm focal length gives you a wide-angle shot. So it’s great for everything from street to landscape photography. It’s a fantastic lens for travel photography. And it’s a great lens for vlogging and using with a live streaming camera.
The lens has one aspherical glass element. This reduces distortion and lens flare, giving you cleaner images. Plus, you get corner-to-corner sharpness in all conditions.
The f/2.0 aperture gives you excellent performance in low light. And it allows you to play with your depth of field. The rounded aperture diaphragm also produces a lovely blurred background effect.
The stepping motor gives you quiet and reliable autofocus. And it works well with photography and video production. You can refocus during a shot, and the microphones won’t pick up the focus motor.
The EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM lens is fabulous for photo and video production. Street photographers and vloggers use it. And that’s because it’s a top-quality lens with an eye-catching price tag!
5. Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6
| Brand |
Brand
Olympus
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 3.5-5.6
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
14-42 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Ultra thin and portable, 3x zoom range, ZERO lens coating
|
| Best For |
Best For
Olympus OM-D and Pen cameras
|
The Olympus ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 is a pancake zoom lens. It has a 3x zoom range for excellent magnification. And it’s compact and lightweight, as you would expect from a pancake lens. It’s also excellent value for a zoom lens.
It has a 14-42mm focal range when used with an Olympus Micro Four Thirds camera. That’s equivalent to 28-84mm on a full frame range, giving you incredible versatility.
You can shoot everything from landscapes to portraits. And it’s all-around use and size make it an ideal travel lens.
The lens quality will impress pancake lens skeptics. It gives you clarity and sharpness throughout the zoom range. And the Zuiko Extra-low Reflective Optical (ZERO) coating reduces distortion and glare to a minimum.
It doesn’t have the fastest max aperture. But cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III have built-in image stabilization. This lets you shoot with slower shutter speeds with less chance of blur.
The ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 is an MSC lens. That means it’s Movie and Stills Compatible. And the AF motor is so quiet you won’t hear it in your videos. It’s a fantastic lens. And one of the best for Olympus cameras.
You can see our picks for the best Olympus camera and best Olympus lens.
6. Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2.0
| Brand |
Brand
Fujifilm
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Fujifilm X
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.0
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
18 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Aspherical lenses, 7-blade rounded aperture, optical coating
|
| Best For |
Best For
Fujifilm X series cameras
|
The Fujifilm XF 18mm f/2.0 is the best pancake lens for Fujifilm cameras. The construction is beautiful. And the optical quality is one of the best of any pancake lens. Fujifilm users need this lens in their camera bag.
The 18mm focal length is perfect for landscapes, street photography, and real estate interiors. And its compact size also makes it a good option for travel photographers wanting to travel light.
The lens construction is excellent. It has two aspherical elements. They give you edge-to-edge clarity even in direct light. And they work together to reduce distortion and ghosting in your images.
The bright f/2.0 aperture gives you excellent performance in low light. It also gives you good control over your depth of field. And the bokeh effect is enhanced by the rounded seven-blade aperture diaphragm.
Plus, Super EBC (Electronic Beam Coating) improves optics. And due to a close rear lens element to the sensor, vignetting and color shading are reduced.
The XF 18mm f/2.0 is a must-have compact lens for Fujifilm fans. It’s packed with clever lens technology. And that results in beautiful images. It’s definitely worth putting a few coins aside for this pancake lens.
7. Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II
| Brand |
Brand
Panasonic LUMIX
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.5
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
14 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Silent, smooth, and fast AF, 46mm filter thread
|
| Best For |
Best For
Panasonic Lumix Micro Four Thirds Cameras
|
The Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II is a fantastic pancake lens from Panasonic. It’s a simple lens. But it delivers on image quality. It’s an affordable pancake lens for anyone with a Micro Four Thirds camera.
It has a 14mm focal length, equivalent to 28mm on a full frame camera. That gives you a lovely wide shooting angle. It’s perfect for street photography and group or environmental portraits. And real estate photographers will also find it useful.
The f/2.5 max aperture isn’t the fastest. But it still gives you a decent amount of control over your exposure. The lens still performs well in low-light scenarios. And it also has a minimum aperture of f/22. That’s perfect for landscape photographers.
The Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II has outstanding optical quality. It uses three aspherical glass elements. And they make sure you have distortion-free images in all lighting conditions.
This pancake lens is an absolute bargain. And it’s the perfect accessory for some of the best Panasonic Lumix cameras.
8. Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3
| Brand |
Brand
Nikon
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Nikon Z
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 6.3
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Vibration reduction, silent AF motor, no focus breathing, 0.2m minimum focus distance
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photography and video with a Nikon mirrorless camera
|
The Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 is a nifty pancake lens. It’s compatible with Nikon APS-C mirrorless cameras. And it’s a fantastic piece of equipment for photography and video production.
The lens has a wide-to-standard zoom range. This is excellent for wide environmental shots or tighter compositions. It’s also a handy zoom range for vloggers. You can get a wide shot for shooting videos even when the camera’s close to you.
The max aperture isn’t the fastest. It’s f/3.5 at 16mm. And that reduces down to f/6.3 at 50mm.
Thankfully, the lens has a vibration reduction system built in. This counteracts camera shake and lets you work with slower shutter speeds. So it improves low-light performance and image sharpness.
The AF system is fast and reliable. Filmmakers will enjoy the fact it’s completely silent. The microphones won’t pick up any sound. And there’s no focus breathing when you change focus during a shot. It’s a videographer’s dream.
The Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 is a versatile pancake lens. It’s a top choice for photography, vlogging, and filmmaking. It has advanced features for a pancake lens. But the price is still budget-friendly.
9. Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited
| Brand |
Brand
Pentax
|
| Lens Mount |
Lens Mount
Pentax K
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
40 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
9-blade aperture, quick-shift focus system, HD coating
|
| Best For |
Best For
Pentax APS-C cameras
|
Everyone with a Pentax APS-C camera needs the Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8. It’s a top-quality pancake lens that’s well-constructed and versatile.
The 40mm focal length is great for street and travel photographers. You can also snap some lovely portraits and product shots with it. The sharp optics also make it a good landscape and cityscape photography option.
You get a decent amount of exposure control from the f/2.8 maximum aperture. You can use a shallow depth of field. And the nine-blade diaphragm helps you achieve a smooth and rich background bokeh.
The quick-shift focus system allows you to quickly switch between auto and manual. It’s as simple as flicking a switch on the barrel. You don’t need to venture into your camera menus to make the change.
The DA 40mm f/2.8 is compact even by pancake lens standards. It’s ultra slim and compact. And it will add next to no weight to your hiking backpack if you’re an outdoor photographer.
10. Olympus 17mm f/2.8
| Brand |
Brand
Olympus
|
| Maximum Aperture |
Maximum Aperture
f/ 2.8
|
| Focal Length Range |
Focal Length Range
17 mm
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Ultra-slim, dedicated digital design
|
| Best For |
Best For
Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras
|
Whether you use an Olympus or Panasonic camera, the Olympus 17mm f/2.8 is a great pancake lens option. It’s compatible with Micro Four Thirds cameras from both brands. And it’s a beautiful prime lens with a versatile application.
The lens has a 17mm focal length. This equals a 35mm focal length of a full frame camera. That gives you a decent shooting angle for street photography.
It’s also great for landscape and exterior architecture. And you can use it for wide and group portraits.
The f/2.8 max aperture is reasonable. It isn’t the fastest. But you still have creative control over your exposure setting. The sharp optical quality also allows you to work in varying light conditions. You get very little distortion or lens flare with the 17mm f/2.8.
Digital-dedicated design is how Olympus optimizes lenses. They have minimal distortion or aberrations and specialized coatings.
Best Pancake Lenses FAQs
We’ve answered some frequently-asked questions on pancake lenses. This information will help you find the perfect lens for your camera. So you can enjoy all the benefits of a pancake lens.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Pancake Lens?
The main benefits of using a pancake lens are its size and weight. Pancake lenses get their name because they are shaped like a pancake. They are ultra-thin. And the small size also means they weigh very little.
That means a pancake lens takes up very little room in your camera bag. It won’t take the place of another lens. And you can take other pieces of equipment with you. Plus, its light weight means no extra burden when carrying one with you.
The compact size also makes pancake lenses discreet. That’s ideal for street photographers and photojournalists who want to keep a low profile. You can use a pancake lens in public without drawing attention to yourself.
The price is another benefit of pancake lenses. Pancake lenses do vary in price. But they tend to be on the affordable end of the lens spectrum.
Sometimes you can pay little more than $200 for a sharp and versatile lens. That’s why it’s worth investing in a pancake lens.
What Focal Lengths Do Pancake Lenses Have?
Pancake lenses have wide or standard-angle focal lengths. You can find pancake lenses with anything from 14mm to 50mm. And you can find prime or zoom pancake lenses. But all the focal lengths will be somewhere within that range.
The compact design means they are limited to wide or standard angles. They don’t have the space to house elements that give you telephoto focal lengths. That’s why you won’t find a telephoto pancake lens.
What Are the Downsides of a Pancake Lens?
One downside is its limited focal length range. And other downsides include a lack of features and a slow aperture. And because they are compact, there isn’t much space for advanced features. So the AF system is usually basic.
While a pancake lens’s small size is a benefit, it also creates limitations. This is why the Nikon Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 is the only pancake lens image stabilization on the list.
The maximum aperture is also a problem on some pancake lenses. We have seen a few on our list with fast max apertures. But overall, many don’t have anything quicker than f/2.8.
That isn’t bad. But you get a better aperture range on a standard nifty-fifty prime lens.
Conclusion: The Best Pancake Lens
The best pancake lens should be ultra-compact, lightweight, and must fit your camera. All the pancake lenses listed here meet the pancake lens brief in size and weight. And we’ve included pancake lenses from all the major camera brands.
The Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is our favorite pancake lens. It’s the best prime lens option for a Canon DSLR camera. And the size and performance make it a must-have lens for any Canon user’s bag. It’s a bargain you can’t afford to miss!
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