Which zoom lens is best for shooting between fuji 16-55 vs 18-55? Should you go for cheaper or break the bank?
How do these Fujifilm lenses perform and what’s the deciding factor? Read on to learn briefly.
In the article, we’ll compare the 18-55mm and the 16-55mm zoom lenses in 10 different aspects to see which one is better for shooting.
Let’s get a short answer and a specs comparison chart before jumping into the deep section.
Fuji 16-55 Vs 18-55: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between the Fuji 16-55 and the 18-55mm is that the 16-55 lenses has a 2 mm shorter focal length and has more flexible focal coverage.
Plus, the 16-55 also has weather sealing and is able to focus closer to the subject. Conversely, the 18-55mm lens is lighter, cheaper, and has image stabilization.
Quick Comparison Chart
Specifications | Fujifilm XF 18-55mm F2.8 Lens | Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 Lens |
---|---|---|
Lens Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
Max Format | APS-C / DX | APS-C / DX |
Focal Range | 18-55mm | 16-55mm |
Focal Length – Wide | 18mm | 16mm |
Optical Zoom | 3.10x | 3.40x |
Optical Elements | 14 | 17 |
Max Aperture – Tele | 4 | 2.8 |
Aperture Ring | Yes | Yes |
Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9 |
Internal Focusing | Yes | Yes |
Weather Sealing | No | Yes |
Image Stabilization | Yes | No |
Minimum Focus Distance | 0.4m | 0.3m |
Filter Thread | 58mm | 77mm |
Max Magnification | 0.15x | 0.16x |
Min Focus Distance | 0.4m | 0.3m |
Weight | 310g | 655g |
Diameter | 65mm | 83mm |
Length | 106mm | 106mm |
Fuji 16-55 Vs 18-55: In-Depth Comparison
Let’s check the brief comparison between specific aspects of the Fuji 16-55 and 18-55mm lenses along with mentioning edges:
Ergonomic
Edge: Fuji 18-55mm
The Fujifilm 16-55mm lens has weather resistance built right into the lens, but the 18-55mm doesn’t.
However, the Fujifilm 18-55mm lens is fairly compact for the focal range. Its weight is about 310 grams compared to the 655 grams of a 16-55mm lens.
This can be a real issue with some video setups.
For example, if you wanted to mount your Fujifilm camera with a 16-55mm zoom lens on it and a gimbal on it, the lens would be too heavy.
The camera can be held by the gimbal and it will not work.
Even the camera may fall forward or the motor itself may burn out. Either way, it will not be very stable.
However, if you take the 18-55mm lens and put it on the gimbal, it won’t show any problems at all. It’ll hold the weight and work beautifully.
The same issue applies with overhead rigs, tripods, dollies, and just about anything else that you can hook your camera up to a 16-55mm lens, as it’ll be too heavy.
If you add in a microphone and a video monitor, you’ll have to deal with some serious weight.
Despite this, if you talk about the ergonomics of the lens only, such as the focus and the aperture rings, the 16-55mm is the clear winner.
The focus ring on this lens is so much more satisfying to use. It’s wider, and it allows you more refined control over your ability to zoom in and out for video.
Overall, size matters largely. In this case, the 18-55mm lens is so much smaller and lighter than this that it is the clear winner in terms of ergonomics.
Eye-Blow
Edge: Fuji 18-55mm
The Fuji 18-55mm lens is a clear winner in terms of eye-catching power. Conversely, the 16-55mm lens may dry your eyes out if you zoom out more quickly.
Hoods
Edge: Fuji 16-55mm
Both of the Fujifilm lenses have quite large plastic scalloped hoods. However, the 18-55mm lens doesn’t have a tough interior but rather a smooth finish.
And it’s a bit hard to decide which model keeps more stray light from striking the front element.
The hood of the 16-55mm lens also has an extra ridge to the exterior shape, which makes the lens even wider than its counterpart.
To provide a sense of scale, both hoods allow nesting within each other.
Zoom Range
Edge: Fuji 16-55mm
The difference between the Fuji 16-55mm and 18-55mm lenses on APC isn’t much. Still, it is an important deciding factor in purchasing decisions.
So if you are seeking a lens to do it all rather than supplementing with a wider prime and aren’t worried about reach, go for 16-55mm.
Background And Depth Of Field
Edge: Fuji 16-55mm
The 18-55mm Fuji lens is known as a variable aperture lens.
It means that the aperture itself automatically changes depending upon how much or how far you are zoomed in.
After mounting your 18-55mm lens on a Fujifilm XT3 camera and zooming the lens out all the way to 18mm, you’ll be able to adjust the aperture all the way wide open to 2.8.
You’ll notice the change in the aperture after starting to zoom in. And after zooming in at 55mm on the focal length, the F stop automatically goes to F4.
You won’t be able to open up and make the lens any wider than that. However, it isn’t ideal as a zoom lens that doesn’t change the aperture.
Despite this, you’ll notice less light at F 2.8 and it’ll be lost if you zoom in. You’ll have extra light at F4 by raising the ISO or lowering the shutter speed.
Conversely, zooming in using a Fuji 16-55mm lens, nothing looks zoomed even at F 2.8.
In terms of depth of field, the 16-55mm is a clear winner since it stays at a fixed aperture through its focal range.
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Autofocus
Edge: Both
Both of these Fujifilm lenses handle autofocus very well at an F4 aperture.
The video autofocus between these two lenses is also identical with regard to speed. The background is also very pleasing.
On the 18-55mm lens, after turning it on at F4, the background doesn’t stutter or warp at all and works very well.
On the 16-55mm, you can obviously open up the lens to f 2.8, which will give you the extra depth of field.
In addition, the autofocus noise is extremely quiet on either Fujifilm lens. The autofocus of these lenses still performs well during zooming in and zooming out.
If you set tracking sensitivity to +2 and autofocus speed to +5, you’ll notice their exposure seems to change and jump a bit during zoom in and out.
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Breathing
Edge: Fuji 18-55mm
Focus breathing is a term that describes a change in focal length that occurs as a result of adjusting the focus distance of the lens.
With the same second shutter speed, aperture and ISO, both lenses produce a tiny bit of focal length change during the pull of focus back and forth.
Though both lenses deliver the same performance in terms of breathing, the 18-55mm seems slightly better.
Color Rendering And Image Quality
Edge: Fuji 16-55mm
The color rendering of these Fujifilm lenses is nearly identical.
However, for image quality, the 16-55mm is undoubtedly much sharper and more defined on all apertures.
And yes, the 18-55 has wonderful image quality as well. But the 16-55mm lens ratchets this up a notch and feels like having four prime lenses in one single lens.
Stabilization
Edge: Fuji 18-55mm
If you don’t lock down your camera on a tripod, having a lens with good stabilization on a lens is critical.
It’s particularly true when you zoom in to focal lengths like a 55mm lens. This becomes even more important if your camera doesn’t have IBIS.
In this case, the Fuji 18-55mm zoom lens has built-in image stabilization while the 16-55mm doesn’t.
Since the Fuji 18-55mm has image stabilization, you can put the lens on any Fujifilm X camera and get stable performance.
Conversely, for using a 16-55mm lens, your camera should have IBIS or you have to use a gimbal.
But the problem is, 16-55 is already a heavy lens, which will be heavier after using a gimbal. Hence, the winner for lens stabilization is the 18-55mm.
Video Quality
Edge: Fuji 16-55mm
You’ll get a slightly better and more consistent depth of field and a more blurry background using a 16-55mm lens.
However, going from F4 to F2.8 isn’t a big enough deal.
However, the 18-55mm lens also delivers pretty nice video, even at a considerably cheaper price. Hence, both lenses are pretty much identical in terms of video quality.
Price
Edge: Fuji 18-55mm
The Fujifilm 18-55mm lens comes in around $500 cheaper than its counterpart, and that’s a lot of money for any photographer or filmmaker.
Even, the 18-55mm lens deserves a solid win in terms of performance and value for the price.
Fuji 16-55 Vs 18-55: Which Lens Is Better For You?
In terms of bokeh and resolution, the 16-55mm f/2.8 is a better option than the 18-55, especially at a closer focusing distance.
This lens holds a little edge at wide apertures at the zoom range’s wide end while delivering pronounced benefits in resolution at the zoom range’s long end.
This Fuji lens also produces a more satisfying bokeh.
The 16-55mm lens also delivers a bit higher image contrast.
However, the 18-55mm lens undoubtedly does a decent job of stopping down while delivering suitable images at 55mm and F/4.
Despite this, the relatively smaller size, optically stabilized design, and lower price make this 18-55mm worth it for many shooters.
However, the 16-55mm lens seems to be well worth the extra price tag and heavier penalty due to pure optical quality.
Ultimately, between these two lenses, I think the 18-55mm is the winner for video shooting on Fujifilm cameras. However, either lens is great for video.
If you don’t ever plan on shooting video and you’re deciding between these two lenses for still photos only and budget is not a consideration, get the 16-55 millimeter.
FAQs about Fuji 16-55mm and 18-55mm Lens
Is Fuji 16-55 Too Heavy?
The weight of the Fuji XF 16-55mm f/2.8 lens is around 1.44 lb (650 g). Compared to a typical Fujifilm lens or other, it’s a bit heavier.
But when mounted on a camera or using a tripod, it’ll be a bit difficult to handle the weight.
Does Fuji 18-55 Have An Aperture Ring?
No, the Fuji 18-55mm doesn’t have any aperture ring, unlike other Fujinon lenses.
Is The Fuji 18-55 Weather Sealed?
Unlike the 16-55mm, the 18-55mm lens doesn’t have weather sealing.
Therefore, you have to be cautious when using the lens in a windy situation or in wildlife photography.
Final words
Undoubtedly, both of these Fujifilm lenses perform extremely well and they have the same aspect number.
However, comparing Fuji 16-55 vs 18-55, the first option has better low-light capabilities, a slightly wider angle of view, and a constant aperture.
Lastly, I would recommend you start photographing using the Fuji 18-55mm kit lens. After improving the skills and budget, go for a 16-55mm lens to get a better result.