Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR is a solid optical performer — a ultra-wide prime (24mm equivalent) with f/2.8 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$500 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, Street
  • Avoid for: Architecture, Portrait, Macro

Strengths

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

Weaknesses

  • Heavy distortion requiring software correction
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Low macro capability (0.13x magnification)

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction 10 elements in 8 groups (2 aspherical)
Coating Super EBC
Focal length16mm
Max aperturef/2.8
Sweet spot f/4
Aperture blades 9 (circular)
Sunstar points 18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification 0.13x
Min focus distance170mm
AF motorLM
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireYes
Distance scaleYes
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight155g
Diameter60mm
Length45.4mm
Filter thread49mm
Year2019

Optical Quality 12/14

Center (wide open)
1.5
Center (stopped)
2.0
Corner (stopped)
1.0
Coma
1.0
Astigmatism
1.0
Spherical aberration
2.0
Lateral CA
1.5
Distortion
0.0
Vignetting (wide open)
0.5
Vignetting (stopped)
1.5
Bokeh
0.5
Flare resistance
1.5

Sharpness

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

Aberrations

  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Moderate astigmatism
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction

Rendering

  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

Distortion

  • Heavy distortion requiring software correction

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 Avoid ~ Street Adequate ✓ Travel Excellent ✗ Portrait Avoid ✓ 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
  • Moderate astigmatism
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Noticeable 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
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Heavy distortion requiring software correction
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance
  • Moderate astigmatism
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

✗ Architecture Photography 1/5

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

Primary
  • Acceptable corner sharpness stopped down
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Heavy distortion requiring software correction
Secondary
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Good flare resistance

~ Street Photography 3/5

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

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
Secondary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Good flare resistance
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

✓ Travel Photography 4.5/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Lightweight at 155g
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Good flare resistance

✗ Portrait Photography 2/5

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

Primary
  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Good center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction
  • Noticeable vignetting wide open

✓ 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
  • Well-controlled lateral CA

✓ Wildlife Photography 4/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Good center sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Slow f/2.8 aperture
  • Well-controlled lateral CA

✗ Macro Photography 1/5

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

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Low magnification (0.13x)
Secondary
  • Heavy distortion requiring software correction
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Excellent spherical aberration correction
  • Below-average bokeh quality

Reviews

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Alternatives

Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 STM Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II
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