Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II is a strong optical performer — a ultra-wide zoom (24mm equivalent) with f/2.8 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1750 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

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

Strengths

  • Good overall sharpness
  • Negligible optical aberrations
  • Good flare resistance
  • Weather-sealed construction
  • Fast linear motor autofocus

Weaknesses

  • No built-in optical stabilization

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction16 elements in 11 groups (4 aspherical, 3 ED, 1 Super ED)
CoatingSuper EBC
Focal length16-55mm
Max aperturef/2.8
Sweet spotf/4
Aperture blades11 (circular)
Sunstar points22 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification0.16x
Min focus distance300mm
AF motorLM
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleNo
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight410g
Diameter77.8mm
Length113.2mm
Filter thread72mm
Year2024

MTF Charts

f/2.8 @ 16mm0.00.20.40.60.81.0C1.422.844.265.687.18.529.9411.3612.7814.2Image height (mm)
15 lp/mm S 15 lp/mm M 45 lp/mm S 45 lp/mm M
Position15S15M45S45M
Center0.940.940.860.86
1.42mm0.940.930.840.79
2.84mm0.930.920.810.76
4.26mm0.930.920.790.74
5.68mm0.930.930.760.77
7.1mm0.930.910.740.68
8.52mm0.920.890.730.58
9.94mm0.930.920.750.73
11.36mm0.940.930.820.79
12.78mm0.940.900.870.65
14.2mm0.880.840.570.33
f/2.8 @ 55mm0.00.20.40.60.81.0C1.422.844.265.687.18.529.9411.3612.7814.2Image height (mm)
15 lp/mm S 15 lp/mm M 45 lp/mm S 45 lp/mm M
Position15S15M45S45M
Center0.940.940.870.87
1.42mm0.940.940.850.83
2.84mm0.940.930.830.80
4.26mm0.940.920.820.77
5.68mm0.930.900.800.73
7.1mm0.930.870.760.71
8.52mm0.920.850.700.66
9.94mm0.900.840.630.66
11.36mm0.880.850.540.65
12.78mm0.860.840.490.56
14.2mm0.850.820.480.48

Source: Official manufacturer specifications

Optical Quality 9/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Center (stopped)
1.5
Corner (stopped)
1.5
Astigmatism
1.5
Spherical aberration
2.0
Longitudinal CA
2.0
Lateral CA
2.0
Bokeh
1.0
Flare resistance
1.5

Sharpness

  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction

Rendering

  • Acceptable bokeh rendering
  • Good flare resistance

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

✓LandscapeGood~StreetAdequate~TravelAdequate~PortraitAdequate✓SportGood✓WildlifeGood✗MacroAvoid

✓Landscape Photography4/5

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

Primary
  • Good corner-to-corner sharpness stopped down
  • Good center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Good flare resistance
  • Well-controlled astigmatism

~Street Photography3/5

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
  • Good flare resistance
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

~Travel Photography3/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Heavy at 410g
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Good flare resistance
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

~Portrait Photography3/5

Portrait Photography prioritizes smooth bokeh and critical center sharpness wide open for subject isolation.

Primary
  • Acceptable bokeh rendering
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction

✓Sport Photography4/5

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 Photography4/5

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 Photography2/5

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

Primary
  • Good center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.16x)
Secondary
  • Negligible lateral chromatic aberration
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction
  • Acceptable bokeh rendering

Reviews

Dustin Abbott

Alternatives

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC ArtFujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WRFujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 R LM OISFujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZSigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN CViltrox AF 35mm f/1.7 AirFujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR MacroFujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR
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