Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR
Announced August 25, 2016
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
Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR is a compact, weather-sealed prime that offers quick, silent autofocus and reliable performance for street and travel photography. While it lacks the speed and ultimate sharpness of faster f/1.4 alternatives, it remains a highly recommended, versatile value for photographers prioritizing portability.
Weighted from 33 reviewer scores
Pros
- Excellent image quality with sharp center resolution and minimal distortion
- Compact, lightweight, and weather-sealed construction
- Fast, accurate, and silent autofocus performance
- Affordable pricing and high-quality build
Cons
- Nervous or unrefined bokeh rendering
- High vignetting and corner softness at wide apertures
- Softness and reduced performance at close focusing distances
- Lacks optical image stabilization
- Subpar lens hood design and build
- Launch price $449 (USD)
- Focal length & aperture 23mm f/2
- Mount & coverage Fujifilm X APS-C
- Stabilization None
- Close focus 22 cm (0.13x)
- Filter thread 43mm
- Autofocus motor Stepper motor
- Weight & size 180g (6.3 oz) · 60 x 51.9 mm (2.36 x 2.04 in)
What the Reviewers Say
All 33 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 85/100
With an F2 maximum aperture, it's a bit slower than other X-mount prime options at the same focal length, but in exchange, it's much smaller and lighter than the competition, making it a great walkaround or travel option.
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Its short-comings mean it misses out on my highest rating, but it remains recommended none-the-less.
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Things look much better in terms of resolution: in the image center, the lens delivers ecellent sharpness straight from the maximum aperture.
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We knew that if the 23mm f/2R WR XF followed in the footsteps of the much-loved XF 35mm f/2 R WR, we’d be looking at another great lens, which this is.
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I just find it a really, really flexible, really useful angle of view, and so I think that this is a lens that if you're looking for a small light kit, this has a lot of value and is well worth your consideration.
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[W]hile this 23mm f/2 lens is not quite the one for me, that's just my personal taste, so despite my own misgivings, it still comes recommended.
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I guess such a price is worth paying in order to enjoy the Fujinon XF 23 mm f/2 R WR as it is. After all the instrument is a joy to use and completely recommendable.
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The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR gives a sparkling optical performance, compact size, weather resistance and high-quality manufacture, which all inspire confidence in this Fujifilm lens.
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[T]he Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR lens is a great little lens to complement the bag of any Fuji shooter. The small and compact design makes it an ideal travel lens, while the image quality is excellent.
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A prime lens with a focal length of 35mm is often regarded as ideal for street photography. This 23mm lens fits the bill perfectly, delivering the same effective field of view on Fujifilm’s X-mount APS-C format mirrorless cameras.
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The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm F2 R WR is an extremely crisp, compact lens for X mirrorless cameras. It's a fine choice for any photographer looking for a weather-sealed wide-angle prime.
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So if you don’t need the 1.4 aperture, you will probably be quite satisfied with the f/2 version and will save some money in the process, which is always a nice thing.
- Photo Review 9/10
The XF 23mm f/2 R WR weather-sealed lens has a compact, lightweight design and support for high-speed autofocusing, enabling users to take pictures spontaneously and making it ideal for snapshots and general picture-taking.
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For the cost of the lens, I think it’s a good buy and an easy lens to recommend, but those seeking the best 35mm equivalent for Fuji will likely want to save up for the 23mm f/1.4.
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If you are looking for a quality walk-around lens, or a cheap alternative to buying an X100F, I’d recommend the Fujinon 23mm f/2 lens, as it has a lot of pros and very few cons.
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Versatile, multi-purpose lens with fast & silent autofocus - the perfect partner for any Fujifilm X-series camera.
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The Fujifilm XF 23mm f2 R WR is small, weather-sealed, quick and silent to focus, with great color and micro-contrast. It has been my go-to street lens for years, and I still think it’s optically better than the newer XF 23mm f2.8 pancake, which wins on size.
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Oh my gosh, even closer with this, oh this is not about the 16, but my time with the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR was a fun time.
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[T]he 23mm F2 WR is probably one of those must-have lenses for the camera bag of anyone shooting a Fujifilm X series camera.
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This Fuji 23/2 is a great little lens at a tiny price, and it's super-well made to boot. If you don't feel like carrying a zoom or a clunky f/1.4 lens, this is a great addition to your gear — or maybe the only lens you need.
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[T]his is a nice lens, super sharp at a 5.6 corner to corner on the new 40 megapixel sensor. Good autofocus in photo and video. Great build quality, size, weight, and of course the weather sealing, something you really need when you travel.
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If you absolutely need a faster aperture, don’t get the Fujinon XF23mm F2 WR lens. Otherwise it’s utterly fantastic at what it does. I voted with my cash and got this over the 23mm f/1.4 and it hasn’t disappointed.
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To summarise this is an amazing little lens and the one I recommend to almost everyone.
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For a travel photographer who values compact size and weight (and WR) over ultimate optical quality and faster glass (I do believe the XF 23mm f/1.4 is optically superior), the XF 23mm f/2 WR is the clear winner.
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For me personally X-Pro2 with a Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR in black would probably be the ideal setup currently [...] for autofocus for weather sealing for rendering I think this is a fantastic lens.
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The XF 23mm f2 R WR lens really has all of the traits that make it a great 35mm equivalent lens, and the beauty of it is the lens costs $449, which I consider pretty reasonable.
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Even though I carried a bag with three lenses, my three weeks trip around Portugal was dominated using one lens. Glued to my Fujifilm X-T20: the Fujifilm 23mm F2.0 WR.
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If I did not already have a 23mm and was looking for a 23mm travel lens, I would pick the f/2 version.
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Wrapping up this review of the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR, this is a lens I highly, highly recommend. It's been with me for about four years now; I've used it for work, I've used it for travel, street photography, it's never let me down.
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Let's just get that straight out there, but the fact that it's light, it's weather resistant, and it's pretty fast at a decent price makes it a winner.
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The Fujifilm 23mm f/2 is a good lens — not a great one — and I think that’s actually its strength.
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This slim, hardworking, affordable lens is compatible with all Fujifilm X-Series interchangeable system cameras. It’s perfect for beginner photographers, ideal for bloggers, and is a must for street photographers.
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I love the image quality. I would definitely recommend this over the f/1.4.
