Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR vs Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR
The bottom line
These cover different focal lengths — the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR is 500mm, the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is 8-16mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR for super-telephoto, the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR for wide-angle.
Choose the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR if…
- ✓You need more reach — it goes to 500mm vs 16mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
- ✓You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 500mm prime over a zoom.
- ✓You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.
- ✓You like close-focus work — 0.16x magnification vs 0.1x.
Choose the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR if…
- ✓You want more light and background blur — f/2.8 is faster than f/5.6, better for low light and subject separation.
- ✓You shoot wide — it starts at 8mm vs 500mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
- ✓You're on a budget — $1,999 vs $4,499 leaves more for other gear.
- ✓You want one-lens flexibility — a 8-16mm zoom covers what the fixed 500mm can't reframe.
Where they differ
- ›Aperture: the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR opens to f/2.8 vs the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR's f/5.6 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
- ›Focal range: Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR is 500mm, Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is 8-16mm — different framing and reach.
- ›Type: the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is a zoom (flexible framing), the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
- ›Price: the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is $1,999, $2,500 under the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR.
- ›Stabilisation: only the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.
- ›Weight: the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is 805g (1.77 lb) vs 1235g (2.72 lb) — you'll feel the difference handheld.
Frequently asked
Is the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR or the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR better?
These cover different focal lengths — the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR is 500mm, the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is 8-16mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR for super-telephoto, the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR for wide-angle.
Who should choose the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR?
Choose the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR if you need more reach — it goes to 500mm vs 16mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 500mm prime over a zoom. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't. Choose it if you like close-focus work — 0.16x magnification vs 0.1x.
Who should choose the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR?
Choose the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR if you want more light and background blur — f/2.8 is faster than f/5.6, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you shoot wide — it starts at 8mm vs 500mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you're on a budget — $1,999 vs $4,499 leaves more for other gear. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 8-16mm zoom covers what the fixed 500mm can't reframe.
What is the main difference between the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR and the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR?
Aperture: the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR opens to f/2.8 vs the Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR's f/5.6 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
| Product | ||
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | ||
| Focal Length | 500mm | 8-16mm |
| Lens Type | Prime | Zoom |
| Optical Elements | 21 | 20 |
| Optical Groups | 14 | 13 |
| Aperture & Iris | ||
| Maximum Aperture | f/5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 | 9 |
| Rounded Aperture | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage & Angle | ||
| Format Coverage | APS-C | APS-C |
| Lens Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Angle of View | 3° | 121° – 83° |
| 35mm Equivalent | 762-762mm | 12-24mm |
| Focus | ||
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Motor | Linear | Linear |
| Focus Limiter | Yes | No |
| AF/MF Switch | Yes | No |
| Min Focus Distance | 300 cm | 25 cm |
| Max Magnification | 0.16x | 0.1x |
| Stabilization & Video | ||
| Optical Stabilization | Yes | No |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Declickable Aperture | No | No |
| Parfocal | No | No |
| Internal Zoom | No | No |
| General | ||
| Price (MSRP) | $4,499 | $1,999 |
| Filter Size | 82mm | − |
| Diameter | 108mm | 88mm |
| Length | 302.5mm | 121.5mm |
| Weight | 1235g (2.72 lb) | 805g (1.77 lb) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | Yes | No |
