The term Pancake lens may spring to mind some sort of culinary photography tool but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Pancake Lenses are the smallest lens you can get for your cameras.
In fact, most Pancake lenses are so light, compact and small in design that you will hardly even be able to tell there’s a lens on your camera at all! For those of you shooting with mid-to heavy DSLR full bodied cameras, the Pancake lens is a great option.
Pancake lenses are great as a ‘walk around’ lens. They offer little to no added weight to your camera, are small easy to transport and also function well for snapping on the go. Since they’re small in size they are less daunting to subject, shoot better discrete street photography and won’t compromise your image quality.
Pancake lenses are normally cheaper than their larger full bodied lens counterparts as well as being simple to use. Many of the more high end options use great quality glass and include high range aperture which is both wide and fast.
If you’re interested in adding a prime Lens to your camera, think about adding a pancake lens that will be cheaper, more compact and offer similar image shooting qualities.
This list will run you through a range of the best Pancake lens on the market right now for a wide range of shooters. Have a look and see if a Pancake lens might save you some money and your back!
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens
The Canon EF 40mm F/2.8 lens is the first that makes our list. This lens is a top of the range Pancake lens that will dramatically improve your shots from the moment you attach it to your camera.
The lens is reasonably priced for the specifications, especially image comparison with a full bodied lens that offers similar shooting abilities. At only 130grams this lens is outlandishly lightweight, you literally won’t even tell that the lens is attached to your camera.
This lens is perfect for anyone wanting to shoot for long sustained periods of time, travel photographers and anyone looking for a lightweight easy to use all round lens for their camera. The Canon EF 40mm F/2.8 lens definitely won’t disappoint.
Pros
- Incredibly lightweight at only 130 grams.
- Canon brand build and quality at a fraction of the price of a full bodied lens with the same specifications.
- Only 22mm in length.
- Perfect for discrete street shooting.
- Easy to carry around all day – perfect for travellers, or street shooters.
- Comes with a lens cap included for easy portability.
- Adaptable – this lens can be used on both full frame and crop sensor cameras.
- Comes with regular 52mm thread.
- Extremely fast F/2.8 aperture.
- Auto and manual focusing options.
- Fast auto focusing.
- 40mm focal length is great for all round shooting meaning you can use this lens is a variety of situations.
- F/2.8 aperture means you can get decent bokeh for your portrait shots.
- Great image quality.
- Great for beginners, advanced or professional shooters. This lens will work well for anyone.
- Of all the Pancake lenses on the market right now, this lens is probably the best value for money option you can find.
Cons
- The auto focus is loud in comparison with some other models.
- Auto focus is loud during video recording making this mode undesirable for those that wish to shoot film with it.
- No zoom function.
Sony 35mm F2.8 Sonnar T FE ZA Full Frame Prime Fixed Lens
The Sony 35mm F/2.8 Sonnar Full Prime Fixed Lens is the obvious choice for all Sony Alpha users out there. This lens isn’t messing around! It might not be the cheapest on the market, but it is certainly one of the best pancake lenses you can get on the market right now.
The ZEISS logo clearly marks the stamp of quality – a sign any Sony snapper will be familiar with. The anti reflective coating reduces glare, ghosting and flare in all of your. Three double sided aspherical lenses are also there for added protection against flaring.
Overall this lens is a top choice for any Sony shooter and one we couldn’t leave off of our list. It’s mouthwatering expensive in comparison with the Canon lens that topped our list but offers a more professional lens with all the latest mods and cons that you’d expect to find on a professional Pancake lens.
Pros
- Professional quality.
- Great for Sony Alpha users.
- Small, compact and lightweight.
- Anti reflective coating and three double sided aspherical lenses offer added protection against glare, flaring and ghosting in your images.
- Super fast linear auto focus motor.
- Great for shooting videos as the motor is silent and smooth.
- Unlike the Canon model, the auto focus on the Sony is silent.
- Weighs only 120 grams.
- The lens barrel is dust and moisture resistant for a more hardy exterior.
- Perfect for travelling with, taking out on-to-day photo shooting tips or any street or portrait photography needs.
- Great optics.
- Superb focal length.
- Carl ZEISS stamp.
- Included lens hood.
Cons
- Doesn’t include a storage bag.
- Significantly more expensive than other models on the market.
- Complains about vignetting.
- The F/2.8 can be slow when shooting action shots.
Fujinon XF27mmF2.8
The Fujinon XF27mm F/2.8 Pancake lens is one of two Pancake Lens offering that Fuji currently, we chose the 27mm over the 18m simply because this lens is more versatile and more appropriate for a wider range of shooters.
This lens is great for wide angle shots, perfect for someone who enjoys travelling or hiking and wants a lightweight compact lens – weighing only 78grams – that is easy to carry around. You’ll hardly notice this lens is on your camera its so light.
Whilst the price tag is far from budget this lens more than justifies spending a little bit more. The Fuji XF27mm F/2.8 has extremely good shooting capabilities and will function just as well in the studio as it will out in the mountains. The added lens coating reduces glare, flare and ghosting in your images making this lens the perfect versatile pancake lens for any snapper.
Pros
- Great for a wide range of shooting.
- Easy to use.
- Suitable for almost any type of photography.
- Lightweight and compact design weighing in at 78 grams.
- Functions just as well in the streets as it does in the mountains. This lens is truly the most adaptable Pancake Lens around.
- Outstanding image quality.
- Comes in either a 27mm or a 20mm.
- EBC coating to reduce glare, flare and ghosting.
- 41mm Focal Length.
- Bright F/2.8 aperture.
- Wide open aperture will create great bokeh.
- Faster and more compact than a standard 35mm prime lens.
- Great for beginners and advanced photographers.
- The perfect everyday lens.
Cons
- This lens isn’t cheap.
- Doesn’t shoot as well in low level light situations.
- When the aperture is wide open image edges can distort.
- No image stabilisation which other lenses of a similar price range offer.
PANASONIC LUMIX G II Lens
The Panasonic Lumix G II Lens is a 20mm f/2.7 Pancake lens is extremely sharp but also lightweight and compact. This lens is a good middle-of-the-road option for those that want an everyday lens with good shooting capabilities.
The F/1.7 brightness that features on this lens offers superb brightness in all conditions. The 20mm lens offers a 40mm focal length making it the perfect walk about lens for anyone looking for a lightweight lens that they can carry around with them everywhere.
This lens is extremely fun to use, simple and well built offering the ideal option for anyone looking for a steady walk around lens. Its image shooting abilities don’t match up to the Fuji or the Sony lens, but then the price is reflected in that.
Pros
- Perfect everyday lens.
- Great for walking around.
- Travel, street, or amateur photographers should consider this lens.
- Well built metal exterior body.
- Fast and easy to use auto focusing system.
- F/1.7 presents consistently bright images.
- 20mm lens offers a 40mm focal length.
- Multicoated surface for reduced glare and ghosting.
- Two aspherical lenses.
- Great for indoor and outdoor shooting.
- Shoots well in low level light.
- Great value for money.
Cons
- The auto focusing motor is extremely loud.
- The manual focus is slow and unresponsive.
- Limited shooting abilities – this lens isn’t up to professional standards.
- Loud whilst shooting films.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a portable lens, or perhaps you’re an amateur photographer after a simple walk around lens – you really should look no further than the Pancake lens.
The Pancake Lens is a fantastic option for everyday shooters. Their light and compact design means you often feel like you don’t have a lens attached to your camera at all. Most Pancake Lenses will also dramatically improve your photographs from the moment you start shooting with them.
This list has covered budget, professional and easy to use Pancake lenses so you can choose based off of your specification which lens best suits your needs.
