Fujifilm just refreshed one of its most popular lenses with weather sealing and high-resolution performance
(Image credit: Fujifilm)
In what will be music to the ears of Fujifilm fans, the manufacturer has unveiled the Fujinon XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR – an update of the beloved Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS that is now 10 years old.
Having received a development announcement earlier this year, at the Tokyo 2024 X-Summit, the XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR was "officially" announced at today's Sydney 2024 X-Summit.
As expected, the main improvement here is the new lens' ability to resolve all 40.2 million pixels on Fujifilm's latest crop of image sensors – something its predecessor was unable to do, given its age and relative simplicity of optical design.
This makes the XF 16-50mm a perfect companion for modern X Series cameras like the newly announced Fujifilm X-T50. Indeed, the company is now bundling the lens as a kit with the X-T50 as well as the X-T5 and X-S20.
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In addition to being a high-resolution lens, the XF 16-50mm is also weather-sealed – another important upgrade over its predecessor, and always a welcome feature for a kit lens.
As you may have noticed, though, there is a disparity in the focal lengths between the optics. While the new 16-50mm lens (a 24-75mm full frame equivalent) is slightly wider than its 18-55mm (27-82.5mm equivalent) counterpart, it is also slightly shorter.
That will no doubt make a difference, depending on what you shoot. Personally I find that having a little extra width on a standard zoom is generally more helpful, particularly for video, but mileage will obviously vary. The new lens is also a smidge slower than the old one, dropping from a maximum aperture of f/4 at the long end to f/4.8.
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The Fujinon XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR goes on sale May 28 priced at $699 / £699 / AU$1,299.
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.