Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.0 R WR

Summary

The Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.0 R WR is a solid optical performer — a wide-angle prime (35mm equivalent) with f/2 maximum aperture. The lens is priced at approximately ~$750 USD. Please check the official product page for sample images, manuals, and firmware updates.

Genre Suitability

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

Strengths

  • Well-controlled aberrations
  • Negligible distortion
  • Weather-sealed construction

Weaknesses

  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)
  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Low macro capability (0.13x magnification)

Specifications 20/20

Optical construction10 elements in 6 groups (2 aspherical)
CoatingSuper EBC
Focal length23mm
Max aperturef/2
Sweet spotf/4
Aperture blades9 (circular)
Sunstar points18 (soft — circular blades)
Max magnification0.13x
Min focus distance220mm
AF motorDC
OISNo
Weather sealedYes
Aperture ringYes
Clickless apertureNo
Focus ringYes
Focus by wireNo
Distance scaleYes
Rotating frontNo
Tripod mountNo
Weight180g
Diameter60mm
Length51.9mm
Filter thread43mm
Year2016

MTF Charts

f/2.00.00.20.40.60.81.0C1.422.844.265.687.18.529.9411.3612.7814.2Image height (mm)
15 lp/mm S 15 lp/mm M 45 lp/mm S 45 lp/mm M
Position15S15M45S45M
Center0.820.820.630.63
1.42mm0.820.820.630.61
2.84mm0.800.800.620.55
4.26mm0.810.790.580.51
5.68mm0.780.780.520.49
7.1mm0.750.770.460.47
8.52mm0.730.770.430.46
9.94mm0.700.760.420.46
11.36mm0.670.760.450.45
12.78mm0.620.750.410.43
14.2mm0.570.730.360.41

Source: Official manufacturer specifications

Optical Quality 14/14

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

  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration

Rendering

  • Below-average bokeh quality
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)
  • 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

~NightscapeAdequate~LandscapeAdequate~ArchitectureAdequate✓StreetGood✓TravelExcellent✗PortraitAvoid~SportAdequate~WildlifeAdequate✗MacroAvoid

~Nightscape Photography3/5

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

Primary
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Fast f/2 aperture
Secondary
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Noticeably soft corners wide open
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration

~Landscape Photography3/5

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
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Vignetting clears well when stopped down
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Well-controlled astigmatism
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

~Architecture Photography3/5

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 Photography4/5

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

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Fast f/2 aperture
Secondary
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Moderate coma at the extreme corners

✓Travel Photography4.5/5

Travel Photography prioritizes balanced image quality in a lightweight package.

Primary
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
  • Lightweight at 180g
Secondary
  • Fast f/2 aperture
  • Acceptable flare resistance with modern coatings
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration

✗Portrait Photography2/5

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
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration
  • Heavy vignetting wide open (2+ stops in corners)

~Sport Photography3/5

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

Primary
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
Secondary
  • Fast f/2 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled lateral CA

~Wildlife Photography3/5

Wildlife Photography prioritizes center sharpness across apertures for distant subjects.

Primary
  • Acceptable center sharpness wide open
  • Outstanding center resolution stopped down
Secondary
  • Fast f/2 aperture
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Well-controlled lateral CA

✗Macro Photography1/5

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
  • Negligible distortion — straight lines stay straight
  • Well-controlled lateral CA
  • Virtually no longitudinal chromatic aberration
  • Well-corrected spherical aberration
  • Below-average bokeh quality

Reviews

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