Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR
Announced January 6, 2015
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR serves as a high-performance standard zoom that delivers professional-grade sharpness and robust weather-sealed construction. While its lack of optical stabilization and substantial weight may deter some users, it remains a versatile, top-tier choice for those prioritizing optical quality across a useful focal range.
Weighted from 26 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness and image quality throughout the focal range
- Durable, weather-sealed build quality
- Fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus performance
- Effective flare and ghosting resistance
- Versatile focal length with a constant f/2.8 aperture
Cons
- Heavy and large physical footprint
- Absence of optical image stabilization
- High retail price
- Distortion issues at extreme ends of the zoom range
- Flimsy or poorly designed lens hood
- Launch price $1,199.95 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 16-55mm f/2.8
- Mount & coverage Fujifilm X APS-C
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 30 cm (0.16x)
- Filter thread 77mm
- Weight & size 655g (1 lb 7.1 oz) · 83.3 x 106 mm (3.28 x 4.17 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 26 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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Fujifilm’s XF 16-55mm f2.8 becomes the best quality general-purpose zoom for the X-mount system.
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As such it is a pretty attractive all-round lens which covers everything from moderate wide-angle to moderate tele views.
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[T]he XF 16-55mm f/2.8 sets a new sharpness record compared to other Fujinon lenses and deserves high praises for its stellar performance.
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Fujifilm has an extensive lens line-up that is growing stronger by the year, but it has needed a fast standard zoom for some time.
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It is impossible to overestimate the importance of a lens like the Fujinon XF 16-55mm F2.8 LM WR.
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[T]he Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR has a lot going for it, nice build quality and plenty of sharpness and contrast. I think some professionals will be quite satisfied, but I wasn't a fan of it myself.
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Optically, this standard zoom from Fujifilm is up there with the best f/2.8 zooms available for APS-C format cameras.
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The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR proved to be remarkably sharp in the image centre almost throughout the entire focal range, except at full 55mm telephoto where optimum sharpness isn't achieved unless stopping down to f/4.
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I'm happy with the results that I got from this Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens.
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Fujifilm has an extensive lens line-up that is growing stronger by the year, but it has needed a fast standard zoom for some time.
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The Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 surprised me. I had already read that it was very good but I didn’t expect it to be that good.
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The $1199 price tag and the lack of a stabilizer may drive away some buyers, but for those looking for great optical quality in a single lens solution, the 16-55mm is hard to beat.
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This is a great lens – there is no doubt about it. It is optically superior, has a good autofocus mechanism and is well built.
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The Fuji XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is Fujifilm's best midrange zoom for their X-series of cameras. It has flawless optics!
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[T]his is an excellent lens. The focal range is extremely useful for landscape photography, which surprised me a lot, but at the 16 millimeters end you can use that a lot for wide angle landscapes and at the other end at the long end 55 is great for a lot of telephoto work.
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The image quality is nothing short of spectacular. It fits into the same category as the Sigma 24-35mmF2 in my opinion: a prime that zooms.
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In general, unless it’s some sort of zoom with a unique focal length (at least to me) like the XF 100-400mm, I’m not a huge fan of zoom lenses.
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This one is perhaps not a grand master but is it close, really close, so that in use out in the real world you probably won’t notice anything out of place in your images.
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A lens I love because it's extremely versatile and, above all, it's very, very high quality.
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If you are a pro and do not mind these factors the XF 16-55mm R LM WR could be an excellent choice for you.
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[T]he images from this lens are fantastic and we absolutely love the optics.
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[I]t's a great lens, I highly recommend it, and hopefully once the world returns to some normality I'll be able to get around and travel with the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR as well.
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If you're after a fast standard wide to telly zoom on your Fuji X system, then I think it's a no-brainer really. It's very, very well built.
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It's clear, it's sharp, it's soft, it's professional. It feels like a professional finish to this lens, and that's what I love about it.
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If you're interested in this lens and you don't mind about the weight, I honestly don't think you're going to be disappointed because there's nothing really here to be disappointed about.
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I think overall it is a superb lens; it's a great lens, one of the best you can buy, especially if you're looking for an upgrade in terms of zoom lenses.
