Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR is a strong optical performer — a ultra-wide zoom (24mm equivalent) with f/2.8 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1000 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

  • Excellent for: Travel, Sport, Wildlife
  • Adequate for: Nightscape, Landscape, Architecture, Street
  • Avoid for: Macro

Strengths

  • Negligible optical aberrations
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus

Weaknesses

  • Low macro capability (0.1x magnification)
  • No built-in optical stabilization

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction 11 elements in 9 groups (3 aspherical, 3 ED)
Coating Super EBC
Focal length16-50mm
Max aperturef/2.8
Sweet spot f/5.6
Aperture blades 9 (circular)
Sunstar points 18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.1x
Min focus distance240mm
AF motorLM
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleNo
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight240g
Diameter68.3mm
Length73.5mm
Filter thread58mm
Year2024

Optical Quality 12/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Corner (wide open)
1.0
Center (stopped)
1.5
Corner (stopped)
1.0
Coma
1.0
Astigmatism
2.0
Spherical aberration
2.0
Longitudinal CA
2.0
Lateral CA
2.0
Distortion
1.0
Vignetting (wide open)
1.5
Vignetting (stopped)
2.0

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Negligible astigmatism
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction

Rendering

  • Mild vignetting wide open
  • Vignetting essentially gone by f/5.6

Distortion

  • Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles

All optical scores are based on lab measurements and field tests from trusted review sources. For details on how we score lenses, see our scoring methodology.

Genre Fit

~ Nightscape Adequate ~ Landscape Adequate ~ Architecture Adequate ~ Street Adequate ✓ Travel Good ✓ Sport Good ✓ Wildlife Good ✗ Macro Avoid

~ Nightscape Photography 3/5

Nightscape Photography prioritizes coma control, astigmatism correction, and a fast aperture for short star exposures.

Primary
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Negligible astigmatism
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable corner sharpness wide open
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Mild vignetting wide open
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction

~ Landscape Photography 3/5

Landscape Photography prioritizes corner-to-corner sharpness at stopped-down apertures and good flare resistance.

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting essentially gone by f/5.6
  • Negligible astigmatism
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

~ Architecture Photography 3/5

Architecture Photography prioritizes geometric precision with minimal distortion and even corner sharpness.

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting essentially gone by f/5.6

~ Street Photography 3/5

Street Photography prioritizes sharp stopped-down performance and a fast enough aperture for low light.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

✓ Travel Photography 4/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Lightweight at 240g
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

✓ Sport Photography 4/5

Sport Photography prioritizes sharp wide-open center performance to freeze action at fast shutter speeds.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✓ Wildlife Photography 4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration

✗ Macro Photography 1/5

Macro Photography prioritizes stopped-down center sharpness and high magnification for close-up detail.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.1x)
Secondary
  • Moderate distortion, handled by camera profiles
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction

Reviews

LensTip

Alternatives

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 R LM OIS Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN C Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 Air Fujifilm XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro
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