Fujifilm 16-80mm F/4 First Impressions

Fujifilm 16-80mm F/4 complete review, is this Fujifilms most versatile lens and a near-perfect travel lens that's finally solved my issues. Are you a travel hybrid shooter using Fujifilm cameras that's looking for a lightweight, minimal lens? Yet, this lens will have you sorted. I will cover how this lens has assisted me with my photography and how it could be a solution for you!

In this blog, I will cover my first impressions of this fantastic lens. However, if you prefer to watch a video, you can do so by clicking here.

Fujifilm XF 16-80MM F4 R OIS WR Features:

• Focal Length: 16-80mm (24-122 full-frame equivalent)
• Aperture Range: F4 to F22
• Image Stabiliser: 6 stops 
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 35cm (1.15')
• Filter Thread: 72mm
• Lens Hood: Removable Petal Shaped
• Weight: 440 grams (15,52oz)
• Dimensions (ø x L): 78.3 x 88.9 mm / 3.08 x 3.5"
• Extended @80mm: 131.5mm / 5.17"
• The angle of View: 83.2° to 20.1°
• Optical: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9 Rounded Blades
• Price: $799.95US / 848,99€ / £769.00

Fujifilm's most VERSATILE lens

The Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F/4 offers a standard 5x zoom for the Fujifilm X-series Mirrorless Cameras. Therefore, if you're similar to me, venturing around the world in chase of those epic landscapes while travelling, hiking or exploring with a lightweight setup.

Firstly, for travel photographers and videographers, this lens is near perfect! Is there such a thing as an ideal lens? If you're to ask me, this is as close as it gets!

The Fuji 16-80mm weighs in at only 440grams, and this lens is ideal for the small and lightweight mirrorless system by Fujifilm. Additionally, the impressive optical image stabilisation provided a little hidden goodie which I will explain later. 

Secondly, powered by a linear motor-driven focusing system allowing the camera to achieve fast and silent autofocus. Furthermore, quiet video operation is another crucial element when travelling trying to operate in stealth mode.

Finally, any photographer will agree they get caught up in awkward environments while travelling. Filming out a car window, capturing the sunrise in the desert, portrait photography in the dusty medinas, or filming sunset on the arctic. As a result, the Fujifilm 16-80mm is equipped with weather sealing, giving it both dust and weather resistant and capable of performing at temperatures as low as -10°C.

Sharpness

Firstly, zoom lenses that optically zoom more than 4x often find the sharpness to be a tad soft. 

Secondly, on this lens, the optimal sharpness I found was between 40-80mm. As a result, I found myself leaning towards the glass's telephoto end more so than the wide. However, I will be doing further testing on this in a future vlog. 

Lastly, the 16mm is more than achievable for capturing sharp wide-angle images, especially if you desire this as a one-stop-shop versatile lens. Image quality is on standard with Fuji's high-end consumer lenses producing sharp images corner-to-corner.

For wide-angle landscape images, I still prefer the Fujifilm XF 10-24.

Image Stabilisation

Fujifilm intelligence, a lens designed with no OIS switch on the lens barrel but offers 6-stops of stabilisation. The Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 now allows you to shoot in a broad array of conditions, including low-light and indoors, without being troubled by camera shake. 

Lastly, if offering a 6-stop of stabilisation wasn't enough already, Fuji has designed the OIS to automatically detect when the camera is being used on a tripod. Perfect addition for run and gun travel photographers - also me, who always forgets!

Autofocus

The XF 16-80mm autofocus operates with a Fujis linear focus motor. However, in real-world use, I found the autofocus to be quick, quiet and accurate, and well-suited to both stills and video.

Lastly, I don't rely on autofocus for my type of work. Therefore, I suggest that if autofocus is an essential factor, please research this further on other blogs.

Build Quality

Firstly, top-notch build quality, like most of the XF lenses in the Fujinon lens line-up. Additionally, the focus and the zoom rings are smooth in action without being loose.

Secondly, The XF 16-80mm F4 lens hosts the traditional Fujifilm aperture ring on the lens barrel. As a result, allowing you to set the aperture in 1/3 steps. Additionally, being weather-sealed in ten points throughout, performing superbly for those who shoot in harsh conditions.

Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F/4 YouTube Review:

Image Quality

Firstly, above I stated, "a versatile and near-perfect lens that solved all my issues". However, 'all' my issues are not SOLEY based on the image sharpness. Therefore, you would be correct by stating that there are sharper lenses from Fujifilm. 

Now the cats out the bag, here we go!

The Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 is my go-to video lens, performing stellar results in this department. However, if I was travelling with all my photography equipment, I would choose my XF 10-24, in turn, treating the 16-80mm as a 24-80mm lens. The 16-80 presents slight barrel distortion at the wide end, eliminating this and producing exceptional results 24mm.

At both extremes of the lens (16mm & 80mm), the lens produces minimal vignetting in the corners. However, stopping down to F/8 fixes and resolves the issue.

Finally, for a lens with 5x optical zoom, this lens produces outstanding results for a versatile lens. You can download images below RAW & JPEG to see image results at 16, 35 and 80mm.

PROS:

• Versatile Focal Range
• Image Quality
• Lightweight
• 6-Stops Stabilisation
• Automatic Tripod detection
• Constant F/4
• Fast & Silent autofocus
• Weather-Sealed

CONS:

• Barrel Distortion at 16mm
• Low-Light performance
• Jello effect when zoom recording (video)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm F4 is a significant upgrade from Fuji's kit lens.

Secondly, it may not be as fast as the 16-55mm F/2.8 red badge. However, if you're after a compact, versatile and incredible bank for the buck lens, go no further than the 16-80. I will go as far as saying this. It's the best Fujifilm lens I own from a price to performance comparison.

If you're a travel photographer and videographer - I can reassure you, this lens WILL suit your needs!

DOWNLOAD FUJIFILM 16-80MM RAW FILES HERE!!!

Interested in the XF 16-55? Watch this video for a comparison