These are the best wide-angle lenses under $500 when you want expansive views, clean edges, and disciplined flare for landscapes, cityscapes, interiors, travel, and astro—without emptying your wallet—and here’s what to look for as you buy: prioritize honest corner sharpness by ƒ5.6–ƒ8, low distortion (or reliable in-camera correction), good flare resistance for sun-in-frame shots, fast/quiet AF if you film, practical close-focus for foreground interest, and compact weight so it actually leaves the shelf; APS-C and Micro Four Thirds give you the most options at this price, while full-frame wins often come from third-party or used bargains. Budget heroes (APS-C): Sony E 11mm ƒ1.8 (tiny ultra-wide prime with bright aperture), Rokinon/Samyang 12mm ƒ2 (manual or AF versions—beloved for astro), Sigma 16mm ƒ1.4 DC DN (street/landscape/astro hybrid), Sony E 10–18mm ƒ4 used often dips near this range, and Sony E 15mm ƒ1.4 G used (stretch pick); Fujifilm: Viltrox 13mm ƒ1.4 (fast, sharp for price), Fujifilm XC 15–45mm ƒ3.5–5.6 OIS (shockingly wide, stabilized, featherweight), Samyang 12mm ƒ2; Canon RF-S: RF-S 10–18mm ƒ4.5–6.3 IS STM (compact, stabilized, travel-friendly), Viltrox 13mm ƒ1.4 RF (fast prime value); Nikon Z DX: Z DX 12–28mm ƒ3.5–5.6 PZ VR (power-zoom, stabilized, great for video), Viltrox 13mm ƒ1.4 Z; L-mount APS-C (Sigma fp-L/S5iiX in crop or Leica TL bodies): Sigma 16mm ƒ1.4 DC DN and Rokinon 12/2 via adapters. Micro Four Thirds deals: Olympus/OM SYSTEM 9–18mm ƒ4–5.6 (tiny travel ultra-wide), Laowa 7.5mm ƒ2 (manual astro darling), Panasonic 12–32mm ƒ3.5–5.6 (pocket zoom with useful wide end), Panasonic 12–60mm kit versions (good value used), and Olympus 12mm ƒ2 used (often around budget). Full-frame under $500 (new or used): Rokinon/Samyang 14mm ƒ2.8 (manual, classic budget ultra-wide), Rokinon 24mm ƒ1.8 AF (often discounted; night streets/astro), TTArtisan/Laowa manual wides (15mm, 14mm, 20mm shift-lite options) for creative work; used bargains: Canon EF 17–40mm ƒ4L, Nikon AF-S 18–35mm ƒ3.5–4.5G, Tamron 17–35mm ƒ2.8–4, Tokina 17–35mm ƒ4, Sigma 24mm ƒ1.8/ƒ2.8—adapt beautifully to mirrorless; Sony FE shooters can snag the Rokinon 18mm ƒ2.8 or used FE 28mm ƒ2 with ultra-wide converter; Canon RF/ Nikon Z FF can adapt EF/F ultra-wides cheaply. Practical buyer tips: if you shoot astro, favor fast primes (ƒ1.4–ƒ2) with decent coma control like 12/2 or 16/1.4; for travel/interiors, a compact 10–18/11–20/12–28 zoom beats swapping and gives stabilized video; check filter compatibility (some bulbous 14mm designs need rear gels), and standardize step-up rings to one CPL/ND; don’t fear used DSLR glass—on mirrorless it’s stellar value. Wide-angle shooting tips: level the camera and compose with foreground anchors, then use a slight rise in post or in-camera correction to keep verticals honest; stop to ƒ5.6–ƒ8 (ƒ4–ƒ5.6 on smaller sensors) for edge discipline, shade the front element with a deep hood/hand to fight veiling flare, and mind polarized skies—use a CPL lightly to avoid blotchy gradients; for astro, focus with magnification on a bright star, start around 10–20s using the NPF/500-rule as a guide, shoot at base ISO you can manage (1600–3200 on many bodies), and stack short exposures; for video, prefer lenses with quiet AF and minimal focus breathing, and use IBIS/OIS plus a mild warp only if needed; whether you’re squeezing a city alley, stitching a cliff-top pano, or pulling Milky Way over wildflowers, the best sub-$500 wide-angles balance credible corners, flare discipline, and portability—so your big scenes look clean, dramatic, and travel-friendly.