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Lens review

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80 mm f/4 R OIS WR

15 December 2019
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary



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Pros:

  • solid, weather-sealed casing,
  • very good image quality in frame centre,
  • sensible image quality on the edge of the frame in the 16-50 mm range,
  • imperceptible longitudinal chromatic aberration,
  • better correction of lateral chromatic aberration than in the case of direct rivals,
  • slight coma,
  • silent, very quick, and accurate autofocus,
  • very efficient image stabilization.

Cons:

  • weak image quality on the edge of the frame at 80 mm,
  • distinct astigmatism at 80 mm,
  • huge distortion in RAW files,
  • distinct vignetting in RAW files,
  • performance against bright light could have been better.
Sometimes a dry comparison of numbers of pros and cons, featured in our summary might be misleading because not all slip-ups and advantages are of the same calibre. In the case of the Fujinon XF 16–80 mm f/4 R OIS WR, however, that comparison might reflect our impressions pretty well.

We expected a lot and we got much less. We found out the Fujinon is optically a sensible lens with a universal focal range, fast and accurate autofocus and a very efficient image stabilization. Unfortunately there were some flaws and their number, taking into account the price tag of $800, we consider to be definitely too high.

To sum up I find it difficult to recommend this lens if its price doesn't drop fast by at least 25%. I hope it will happen soon and the fans of the X system will have more reasons to get interested in purchasing the tested Fujinon.