The Fujinon XF16mm f/2.8 has been popular among fans of compact mirrorless cameras, but the lens has a few issues according to lens tips that are similar to the controversial Fujinon XF18mm f/2.0 R. I do not know many that would defend or purchase the XF18mm, but a few do. I imagine many more will buy the XF16mm f/2.8, especially if they are intereted in the excilent XF16mm f/1.4.
“Looking at the results of our test I have no doubts the Fujinon XF 16 mm f/2.8 R WR is a very sensible device and will find many fans especially that, costing just $400, it remains one of the cheapest system lenses. Paradoxically, the Fujinon XF 18 mm f/2.0 R, just a tad more expensive but faster, might become its biggest and most serious rival. Still these 2 mm difference in focal length might be important for many users. Why? It’s enough to move with the focal length in an opposite direction. The Fujinon XF 14 mm f/2.8 R, as fast aperture-wise as the tested lens but with the focal length by 2 mm shorter, costs over two times more.”
Pros:
- shapely, solid, weather-sealed casing,
- excellent image quality in the frame centre,
- slight longitudinal chromatic aberration,
- low lateral chromatic aberration,
- lack of any spherical aberration problems,
- sensible performance against bright light,
- silent, accurate and fast autofocus.
Cons:
- a bit too high coma at the maximum relative aperture,
- huge distortion for RAW files,
- big brightness loss on RAW files.
