Size & Specs Comparison: Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II vs I vs Sigma 18-50mmF2.8

Life was easy until October 13.

At least for those looking to purchase a standard f/2.8 zoom lens.

Because the two options we had, the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 I and the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 DC DN, were so different to each other that people did not have much to think about: if you want compactness, go for the Sigma. If you want a wider range and an aperture ring, go for the Fujinon.

But with the arrival of the new Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II, decision making has become a bit more complicated.

As shown in the size comparisons above, the new Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II falls between the older XF16-55 and the Sigma 18-50 in terms of size. So, if your primary reason for choosing the Sigma was compactness, the decision between the two lenses has now become a bit more challenging.

While the Sigma is still a bit smaller, the new Fujinon will give you a wider range (16-55 instead of 18-50), an aperture ring (which can be de-clicked), likely better weather sealing (as the one of the Sigma is rather basic), and something that is often overlooked: Fujifilm colors.

Look, I own third party autofocus and manual focus lenses. They are some fantastic offerings out there. But one of the main reasons I prefer my Fujinon’s, is that I get consistent Fujifilm colors. That’s for example also why I bought the Fujinon XF10-24mmF4. I did love my Samyang 12mmF2, but the colors just did not look like the ones I was used to when using my Fujinon glass.

However, there is still one huge argument for the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8: the price! If you look for best value for money, the Sigma might be the best option.

Which one would you pick?

Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II vs I: Is the New Version Worth the Switch?

I guess the question these days for those, who already own the “old” XF16-55mmF2.8 is: should I upgrade the new XF16-55mmF2.8 II or stick with the old one?

In order to try to help you to find the right answer, I’ve searched for comparisons, but I was surprised to find that this particular comparison hasn’t been adequately addressed by reviewers at launch. If I missed them, please let me know in the comments, so I can add them to this article.

But now a new video has been released by FujiFanBoys that provides a quick comparison between the new Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 II and the previous XF16-55mmF2.8.

I will sum it up in bullet points for you, but if you want to see the sample images and get a few more details, check out the video above.

  • the new XF16-55mmF2.8 II is a bit sharper and has a bit more contrast
  • the new XF16-55mmF2.8 has a bit better bokeh
  • the new XF16-55mmF2.8 has a bit better autofocus
  • the new XF16-55mmF2.8 as virtually no focus breathing (the old one was good there too, but not as good as the new one)
  • the new XF16-55mmF2.8 is lighter and smaller
  • the new XF16-55mmF2.8 has a de-clickable aperture ring

So who is this lens for?

Well, if that’s your first XF16-55mmF2.8 lens, then go for the new one. It’s a lot lighter and smaller, it’s a bit better optically, and costs the same as the old one.

Things get more complicated if you already own the old XF16-55mmF2.8.

In this case, FujiFanBoys says that if you shoot mainly primes and already own the old XF16-55mmF2.8, then there is no need to upgrade. But if you rely a lot on the XF16-55 for your work, then size and weight alone are a good reason to upgrade.

And what was your decision? Feel free to let us know by voting the survey:

As an owner of the old XF16-55mmF2.8, I decided to...

View Results

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Fujifilm X-M5 has Better Autofocus than X-S20, but New Firmware is Coming REPORT (+VIDEO)

 

It’s difficult to gauge how well the autofocus of the Fujifilm X-M5 truly performs.

Why?

The real issue is that performance depends on which Beta firmware version reviewers are using.

In the lead-up to launch, Fujifilm frequently updates the firmware for pre-production models, sometimes even multiple times a day.

So, someone testing the camera in mid-September may have significantly different results from someone testing it in mid-October.

And since reviewers aren’t able to re-test everything after every update, any autofocus performance assessment right now should be taken with a grain of salt, as it’s unclear which firmware version was used.

So we can come to a situation in which some might claim that the X-M5’s autofocus is on par with other X series cameras, while others might say it offers the best autofocus performance of any X series camera.

With that disclaimer out of the way…

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LIVE BLOG: Fujifilm X-M5, XF16-55mmF2.8 II and XF500mmF5.6 Reviews and Pre-Orders Now

Fujifilm X Summit Launch Blog
(refresh for latest updates)

Now Real:

Pre-Orders

Official Fujifilm Info

First Looks

  • BH Explora – FUJIFILM Announces Creator-Friendly X-M5 Camera and X Series Lenses
  • gizguide – X-M5 introduction
  • thephoblographer – Fujfilm launches X-M5 and new lenses

Pre-Orders

↓ Launch Videos ↓

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The Perfect Dials for Future X-Tx Cameras? – Concept

In response to my article The perfect dial is…?, FR-reader Luigi replied to me with an idea: what if Fujifilm would still use the dial, but instead of printed markings they would consist in ink-displays?

So how would it work?

Well, you can read more about below.

Guest Post by Luigi – LuicaPhoto Flickr

My Fujifilm history began 2012 with X-E1, 2, 3 and X-T1, 2, 5 and I belong to the group of enthusiast photographers. And I started already in the film era of the 70-90-ties. Therefore I like the Fujifilm vintage design with dedicated dials. But I am also aware of PASM design advantages.

Here I propose a dial design which could combine the advantages of both design worlds:

Dedicated rotating mechanical dials, same size and with central lock button as known from the X-T series. But instead of the small engraved numbers for shutter speed or ISO – which looks crowded and have poor readability – the dial top plate should become a circle shaped ink display. And each dial would always display two assigned settings (at 12 and 6 o’clock), but now in much larger figures.

Circle shaped displays can show their their settings when rotating the dial as we are used.

The dial itself consists therefore of an outside ring, rotating around the circle shaped display inside .The existing levers of the X-T could be transformed into push levers: when pressed, the upper or bottom halve of the display becomes the active section.

The Dials Explained

You can see the PDF below or download the PDF at my Dropbox here.

Before the PDF, I will share it also in JPEG format as gallery for you to quickly scroll through.

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