Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is a solid optical performer — a ultra-wide prime (24mm equivalent) with f/1.4 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$1250 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

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

Strengths

  • Negligible distortion
  • Weather-sealed construction

Weaknesses

  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
  • Noticeable spherical aberration wide open
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Below-average bokeh quality

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction 13 elements in 11 groups (2 aspherical, 2 ED)
Coating Super EBC, Nano-GI
Focal length16mm
Max aperturef/1.4
Sweet spot f/4
Aperture blades 9 (circular)
Sunstar points 18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.21x
Min focus distance150mm
AF motorDC
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireNo
Distance scaleYes
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight375g
Diameter73.4mm
Length73mm
Filter thread67mm
Year2015

Optical Quality 14/14

Center (wide open)
1.0
Corner (wide open)
0.5
Center (stopped)
2.0
Corner (stopped)
1.0
Coma
0.5
Astigmatism
2.0
Spherical aberration
0.5
Longitudinal CA
0.5
Lateral CA
1.5
Distortion
2.0
Vignetting (wide open)
0.5
Vignetting (stopped)
1.5
Bokeh
0.5
Flare resistance
1.0

Sharpness

  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down

Aberrations

  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
  • Negligible astigmatism
  • Noticeable spherical aberration wide open

Rendering

  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

Distortion

  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight

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 Photography 2/5

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

Primary
  • Noticeable coma in the corners wide open
  • Negligible astigmatism
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
Secondary
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Noticeable spherical aberration wide open

~ 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
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Negligible astigmatism
  • Noticeable coma in the corners wide open

~ Architecture Photography 3/5

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

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
Secondary
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings

Street Photography 4/5

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

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
Secondary
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Noticeable coma in the corners wide open

Travel Photography 4/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Lightweight at 375g
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges

Portrait Photography 2/5

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

Primary
  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Noticeable spherical aberration wide open
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

~ Sport Photography 3/5

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

Primary
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Well-controlled lateral CA

~ Wildlife Photography 3/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Well-controlled lateral CA

Macro Photography 2/5

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

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.21x)
Secondary
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Noticeable longitudinal CA on high-contrast edges
  • Noticeable spherical aberration wide open
  • Below-average bokeh quality

Reviews

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