Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-50mm 2.8-4.8 R LM WR

Generally, we were pleased with the Fujinon XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR during our time with it - both with respect to the lab results and especially in the field. That is with the exception of the rather massive centering defect when we first received it - which was subsequently repaired. Centering problems in Fujifilm zoom lenses seem to be a bit of a theme (...), so always check yours after purchasing. The lens may not be the sharpest knife in the kitchen, but it's still sharp for a (kit-) zoom lens. Technically, it doesn't show any major weakness throughout the zoom range. The field curvature is a bit high at the wide end, though, so stopping down is advisable if you want to have sharp corners in your scene. Just like most modern mirrorless camera zoom lenses, there's a high degree of image distortions and vignetting, so keeping auto-correction activated for JPEGs or in your favorite RAW converter is a good idea. If there is one aspect that we didn't really like about the optical characteristics, it is the bokeh. With its max aperture of f/4.8 @ 50mm, the lens is hardly optimized for shallow depth-of-field photography to start with, but in such scenarios, the out-of-focus rendering can be rather nervous. It also doesn't like sun stars. An aspect that sets the lens truly apart from other zoom lenses is its very compact size - including internal zooming - and very low weight. This and the extensive weather sealing make it ideal for "outdoorsy" use cases when you want to minimize your gear. Despite the low weight, it doesn't feel flimsy in any way or form. The AF motor is also plenty fast enough for a standard zoom lens. You may debate Fujifilm's decision to omit an optical image stabilizer, but then many Fujifilm cameras provide IBIS these days and for standard zoom lenses that's perfectly fine. Overall, there's much to like here - at least when purchasing the lens as part of a camera kit. For whatever reason, Fujifilm discounts the lens heavily when purchased in a kit - equivalent to a $400 USD net price - compared to an individual price tag of a whopping $700 USD. The latter seems very steep compared to the similar-priced but faster third-party alternatives. If you are interested in the lens only, you should probably wait for a sales event.

For over a decade, the Fujifilm XF 18-55 f2.8-4 has proven to be one of the classiest kit zooms around, delivering excellent quality with a brighter than average aperture. As such its successor, the XF 16-50 f2.8-4.8 has big boots to fill, but succeeds to become the desirable kit zoom for the next generation of X-series cameras. It may not reach quite as far as its predecessor, but most will find the wider start at 24mm equivalent more useful, and while it doesn’t have the optical stabilisation, Fujifilm is now equipping all of its new bodies with IBIS. The aperture may start at the same f2.8 as before, but becomes dimmer sooner in the range, ending at a slightly slower f4.8, but the new lens enjoys weather-sealing that was absent on the old model, along with internal zooming that keeps the barrel compact. It’s a little lighter too. When bought in a kit it becomes particularly good value, costing as little as half of its standalone price. But as a standalone purchase, it looks expensive compared to Sigma’s 18-50 f2.8 DC DN, which may not zoom quite as wide, but boasts a constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range and costs roughly two thirds the price. So I’d say the Sigma makes more sense for anyone buying a separate general-purpose zoom for an X-series body, but again when subsidised in a kit, the XF 16-50 is a tough act to beat.