In summary
Covering a wide enough focal length range for everyday picture-taking and as a single lens for travellers, this XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lens is better suited to landscape and portrait photography than shooting sports action or wildlife. Optical image stabilisation promises up to four f-stops of shutter speed compensation.
Extensive use of plastic means the build quality has been slightly compromised to keep its weight down. However, this makes it a travel friendly combination with the X-M1 body we used for our tests.
Full review
The XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS lens supplied with Fujifilm’s X-M1 and X-A1 cameras in Australia provides a slightly wider angle of view than the standard 18-55mm kit zooms, covering angles of view equivalent to 24-76mm on a 35mm camera. Australian readers should note that this lens is not sold separately as it is in the USA, which is why only the US price is provided in the listed specifications.
Most buyers will acquire this lens with either the X-M1 or the soon-to-be-released X-A1 camera body and, as such, it represents good value for money, compared with the AU$799 RRP for the faster XF 18-55mm f/2.8 zoom. For photographers who want to buy into Fujifilm’s X camera system, the XC 16-50mm provides a good starting point, when purchased as part of a camera kit and its f/3.5-5.6 maximum aperture range is typical for a starter zoom lens.
Covering a wide enough focal length range for everyday picture-taking and as a single lens for travellers, this lens is better suited to landscape and portrait photography than shooting sports action or wildlife. Optical image stabilisation promises up to four f-stops of shutter speed compensation.
Extensive use of plastic means the build quality has been slightly compromised to keep its weight down. However, this makes it a travel friendly combination with the X-M1 body we used for our tests.
Specs
- Picture angle: 83.2 degrees to 31.7 degrees
- Minimum aperture: f/22
- Lens construction: 12 elements in 10 groups (including 3 aspherical lens elements and one ED element)
- Lens mount: Fujifilm X
- Diaphragm Blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm)
- Focus drive: Linear stepping motor
- Stabilisation: Yes
- Minimum focus: 60 cm across zoom range (with the camera in macro mode: 30 cm at 16mm; 40 cm at 50mm)
- Maximum magnification: 0.15x (1:6.7)
- Filter size: 58 mm
- Dimensions (Diameter x L): 63 x 65 mm
- Weight: 195 grams
- Hood supplied: Yes
Rating
RRP: US$399.95 (not sold separately in Australia)
- Build: 8.5
- Handling: 8.5
- Image quality: 9.0
- Versality: 8.5