[9, Rounded] This is my go-to lens for studio and is the perfect travel lens also. I love the 24-120 focal range for studio work. I own the full frame equivalence of this lens for my Nikon Z bodies as well as for my Sony a7r series bodies. I can achieve almost any look I need without having to constantly change lenses during a session. I was a little skeptical of this lens initially because I had not really heard many people talk about it, as it was considered a kit lens. After shooting with it a bit and getting used to its characteristic, it quickly became one of my most used lenses.

The autofocus is mostly accurate as any missed focus shots could be attributed to user era on my behalf. By adjusting the focusing speeds and tracking in my X-H2, this lens instantly became a contender for my similar Nikon and Sony branded lenses as far as image quality, autofocus and reliability is concerned. The autofocus is fairly quiet and does not pickup in video as long as you use something like a shotgun mic or smaller.

It's compact and lightweight design makes it a perfect match for any fujifilm camera as it balances well on most bodies. Furthermore, it's light weight also makes it great for holding long periods of time without fatiguing your shooting arm and hand, making it an excellent choice for travel and street photography.

This is an excellent lens with many uses and if you are on the fence about getting it, go ahead, I promise you will not be disappointed.

[72 mm (Front)] This is easily my favorite Fuji mid-range zoom lens. I was initially hesitant to try it due to some of the reviews. At issue was mainly edge sharpness. While not quite as good as, say, the Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8, it is not significantly so and requires some detailed looking to really see. Center sharpness is, however, easily comparable and excellent throughout the zoom range. At 80mm is where this lens is at its weakest but is still quite usable.


Compared to the Fuji 18-55mm, this lens is an upgrade in most every way. I particularly like that it goes to 16mm (24mm full-frame equivalent) on the wide end compared to 18mm on the 18-55mm. Somehow the 27mm full-frame equivalent on the wide end of the 18-55mm just does not seem quite wide enough. That was my main motivation for going with the 16-80mm.


Build quality of this lens is excellent. The zoom ring is silky smooth and perfectly damped. The aperture ring is also smooth with positive clicks at 1/3 stop increments.


This is definitely an absolutely fabulous lens for just about any type of photography requiring a mid-range zoom. It is a perfect match for my Fuji X-T3 body that I can comfortably carry around all day. For low light, I usually just bring along a fast prime or two as opposed to getting just a single stop advantage with the big and heavy 16-55mm f/2.8.

[9, Rounded] This lens is awesomely sharp, with amazing image stabilization, and a flexible zoom range. Fantastic lens on the go. Pair it with a prime for extreme low light and you're set for just about anything.

[f/22] Up (down?) graded from 18-135mm zoom this Spring. Over the years, I've been using a wide-to-mid range lens more and more. I used to take both a 10-24 zoom for scenery and a 18-135 zoom for ski-actions, then just a 18-135 zoom for all with panorama option for wider angle shots. After a while, I realized I'm not using the telephoto end much. Here in the Cascades WA, distant peaks are often a bit hazy and not too interesting. When the 16-80 zoom came out, I was very interested but a bit hesitant because of many mediocre reviews. A while later I decided it's at least as good as the 18-135 optically and suits my need much better: wider and more compact. The focusing was a bit inconsistent with my xt2, but much improved with my new xr3. So far, so good.

[f/22] Up (down?) graded from 18-135mm zoom this Spring. Over the years, I've been using a wide-to-mid range lens more and more. I used to take both a 10-24 zoom for scenery and a 18-135 zoom for ski-actions, then just a 18-135 zoom for all with panorama option for wider angle shots. After a while, I realized I'm not using the telephoto end much. Here in the Cascades WA, distant peaks are often a bit hazy and not too interesting. When the 16-80 zoom came out, I was very interested but a bit hesitant because of many mediocre reviews. A while later I decided it's at least as good as the 18-135 optically and suits my need much better: wider and more compact. The focusing was a bit inconsistent with my xt2, but much improved with my new xr3. So far, so good.

[Autofocus] I own several Fuji lenses, from the diminutive 15-45 zoom up to the more substantial 55-200 zoom, plus a variety of primes. I also own one of their 18-55 zooms and, frankly, I believe I got a dud. Yes, I bought it new, but from day one the left edge is always out of focus compared to the rest of the frame. I understand from various user reports that problems with the 18-55 is not unusual. So rather than get another 18-55, I decided to grab a used 16-80, F4. Long story short, it's been quite wonderful, a perfect match to my various Fuji bodies -- X-T20, X-H2 and X-T1. I have yet to find any scenario, any setting which yield anything less than exceptional clarity, color balance and stability. 20-20 hindsight: wish I'd bought this amazing lens first!

[0.25x] I've been using Leica and Voigtlander lenses on my X Pro cameras, for years, but to realize their full optical potential has required a monopod or tripod. I borrowed a Fujifilm 16-55 f/2.8 and was impressed with its image quality, but its size, weight and lack of optical stabilization were huge negatives. When I saw this lens with greater range, only one stop slower and with optical stabilization I purchased this as my first ever Fujifilm lens, and I couldn't have chosen better! The optical stabilization is fantastic and I believe the claimed 5 or 6 stop advantage. As a result, it can be used in dimmer light at lower ISO than you'd expect for an f/4 maximum aperture. I've taken test images and magnified them in camera, and it seems sharp throughout its zoom range, even at 16 mm, where others have complained images are soft. Autofocus is quick and accurate. I love the mechanical aperture ring with real printed f/ stops (no unmarked change by wire for me, as on the 18-55 mm), which has a nice resistance. The zoom ring likewise. The plastic lens hood is easy to click on and can be reversed for in-bag storage. This lens is now seated on my new X Pro3 and will be my all-purpose and travel lens from now on. What a great find and a sea change for me.

[0.25x] I've been using Leica and Voigtlander lenses on my X Pro cameras, for years, but to realize their full optical potential has required a monopod or tripod. I borrowed a Fujifilm 16-55 f/2.8 and was impressed with its image quality, but its size, weight and lack of optical stabilization were huge negatives. When I saw this lens with greater range, only one stop slower and with optical stabilization I purchased this as my first ever Fujifilm lens, and I couldn't have chosen better! The optical stabilization is fantastic and I believe the claimed 5 or 6 stop advantage. As a result, it can be used in dimmer light at lower ISO than you'd expect for an f/4 maximum aperture. I've taken test images and magnified them in camera, and it seems sharp throughout its zoom range, even at 16 mm, where others have complained images are soft. Autofocus is quick and accurate. I love the mechanical aperture ring with real printed f/ stops (no unmarked change by wire for me, as on the 18-55 mm), which has a nice resistance. The zoom ring likewise. The plastic lens hood is easy to click on and can be reversed for in-bag storage. This lens is now seated on my new X Pro3 and will be my all-purpose and travel lens from now on. What a great find and a sea change for me.

[FUJIFILM X] I recently purchased this lens mainly for its extra zoom range over my Fuji 18-55mm f/2.8-4. I am glad I did as it is a performance upgrade to the 18-55mm in virtually every way. The extra 2mm on the wide end and the extra 15mm on the long end makes it easier for me to go with just one lens more often.

Optically, center frame sharpness is mostly better than the 18-55mm. Toward the frame edges, sharpness is generally comparable and often a bit better. The weakest focal length of this lens seems to be at 80mm. However, at least in my copy, I have found overall sharpness there to be more than acceptable. The OIS and focus speed of this lens is also very good.

This lens is a somewhat larger than the 18-55mm but still feels very good and well balanced on my X-T3. The Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8, on the other hand, is much larger and heavier. It also does not have OIS which, at least for me on the X-T3, is a show-stopper.

One possible downside for video shooters is that this lens oddly goes in and out of focus while zooming. The bottom line, however, for stills shooters is that this lens offers an overall upgrade to the Fuji 18-55mm and a smaller, lighter (albeit one-stop slower) more flexible alternative to the Fuji 16-55mm f/2.8.

[f/4] After much searching on the web, I finally decided to add this lens to my (small) collection. I tend to live on the short focal length end of things. Before this purchase, I carried only the Fuji 10-24mm. It is great for travel and shooting cathedrals, street scenes, and landscapes. However, as time wore on, I realized that I'd really like something a little longer. This is a good fit for my style. I still carry the 10-24 for getting those interior scenes but the 16-80 is often a better fit for what's happening in the streets and allows me to get more intimate shots with greater reach. Yes, there is some distortion at the edges (as is also the case with the 10-24) but it is modest and I can usually crop it out if it is bothersome (often it is not). Otherwise, it is quite sharp, focuses fast and quietly, and the image stabilization works very well. Great for low light shooting in the street or in a bar. If you are a travel photographer, this is a good choice of a go-to lens.