XC 15-45 or XC 16-50 OR XF 18-55 on X-T20 for beginner ?

I have purchased X-T20with XC 15-45 two months ago. It's my first camera. I am in learning process. The XC 15-45 images are looking good.

I recently came across that IQ is better on XC 16-55 and XF 18-55 than XC 15-45. Is it good decision to sell the XC 15-45(for 190$) and buying( XF 18-55 for 380$ and XC 16-50 for 250$) any one of the two? Is any other better option?. I'm on budget.

I'm intended use this for family and travel photography.

Thank you for your time.

shekhar92 wrote:

I have purchased X-T20with XC 15-45 two months ago. It's my first camera. I am in learning process. The XC 15-45 images are looking good.

I recently came across that IQ is better on XC 16-55 and XF 18-55 than XC 15-45. Is it good decision to sell the XC 15-45(for 190$) and buying( XF 18-55 for 380$ and XC 16-50 for 250$) any one of the two? Is any other better option?. I'm on budget.

I'm intended use this for family and travel photography.

Thank you for your time.

I don’t have the 15-45 nor I researched on the lens so I can’t say anything good or bad about it.

i had 18-55 before and that lens is quite impressive given it’s a kit. Build, handle, size and speed are very good for this kit lens. IQ is great. if u can find a used one around $300, it’s a no brainer.

However, i think the XC16-50II provides even bigger value. IQ is great and color and contrast are outstanding. I would say the color is better than the 18-55. It is also Very light and small. The only big thing it missed is the aperture ring. But it gives you 16mm on the wide which is a generous feature for a “low end” kit lens. The best part is that It costs around $140 for a used one.

I would say either choice is good. If budget is not an issue, I would get the 18-55 due to better handling experience and faster aperture. But if budget is an issue and you are more a 16mm person, get the xc16-50, you will be very happy with it too.

Stick with what you've got; technique and your imagination have a lot more effect on image quality than the lens.

If you have money to spare, you might find a longer (telephoto) lens useful as an addition. Otherwise I would wait until you fell constrained by what your current lens can do. Don't bother about what people think is a better lens.

shekhar92 wrote:

I have purchased X-T20with XC 15-45 two months ago. It's my first camera. I am in learning process. The XC 15-45 images are looking good.

I recently came across that IQ is better on XC 16-55 and XF 18-55 than XC 15-45. Is it good decision to sell the XC 15-45(for 190$) and buying( XF 18-55 for 380$ and XC 16-50 for 250$) any one of the two? Is any other better option?. I'm on budget.

I'm intended use this for family and travel photography.

Thank you for your time.

Stick with it but if you have extra money just look in second hand websites or ebay and get a xf 18-55 for 300$ or less (or 300eur or less depending on your region).

As a beginner ur better off focusing on acquiring skills, discovering ur tastes and buying second hand. XT-20 is a perfect choice and in term of timing the market its one of the best price/quality ratio.

shekhar92 wrote:

I have purchased X-T20with XC 15-45 two months ago. It's my first camera. I am in learning process. The XC 15-45 images are looking good.

I recently came across that IQ is better on XC 16-55 and XF 18-55 than XC 15-45. Is it good decision to sell the XC 15-45(for 190$) and buying( XF 18-55 for 380$ and XC 16-50 for 250$) any one of the two? Is any other better option?. I'm on budget.

I'm intended use this for family and travel photography.

Thank you for your time.

If you are happy with the 15-45, then replacing it with lenses that might have better IQ (and probably only slightly better and/or only in specific situations) is not going to improve your photos dramatically, if at all.

I would keep it but may be add a 50-230. Thats a nice light kit for travel.

shekhar92 wrote:

I have purchased X-T20with XC 15-45 two months ago. It's my first camera. I am in learning process. The XC 15-45 images are looking good.

I recently came across that IQ is better on XC 16-55 and XF 18-55 than XC 15-45. Is it good decision to sell the XC 15-45(for 190$) and buying( XF 18-55 for 380$ and XC 16-50 for 250$) any one of the two? Is any other better option?. I'm on budget.

I'm intended use this for family and travel photography.

Thank you for your time.

Hi, you are going to get lots of suggestions based on personal preferences and user experience. You will have to judge them against your needs and desires. So, here is my take. When I had a XT20, which is a fine camera, I used a 18-55. It is, in my opinion, a great do-it-all combination.  That would be my choice.

Looking at the alternatives. I had, but sold a 15-45, which I bought with a XE3. I bought it for a trip to Paris, where photography was a second priority (to a charity event). I was very happy with the IQ, but not with the power zoom. I found it slow, imprecise and frustrating. Upon return, I sold it and bought a XC16-50/f5.6, which gave me the same IQ, I am unable to see any discernible difference between it and the 15-45, but with a manual zoom and far better experience. I still have it and use it a lot when I want to go light.  Again, between it and the 18-55, I can see virtually no IQ difference on screen viewing. The 16-50 is a little wider, which helps in an urban setting, and it is a little lighter, whereas the 18-55 has a better quality feel to it and I enjoy using it more.  They are close, but if I were forced to have only one, without doubt I would go for the 18-55.

Note that in your title, you state 16-50, which I assume you mean the XC 16-50/f5.6, but in the text you state the 16-55.  This is the red badge XF 16-55/f2.8. I have this lens too and it is in a difference league to the others mentioned in terms of IQ, being superior and having f2.8 throughout the zoom range. But note, it is larger, heavier and more expensive and has no image stabilisation (nor does the XT20).

In sum, what is best for me might not be so for you, but of the choices you outline, I would opt for the 18-55. Hope that helps.

"The XC 15-45 images are looking good."

You've answered your own question.  Optically at the wide end there is agreement it is as good as the wide primes.  Unless you are very unhappy with the longer end images (and do look at your images, not reviews) then keep it.

The real weakness of the Fuji system is the "standard" zooms.  They all have drawbacks and no one is a clear winner.  I spent ages debating 16-50, 18-55, 16-55 and found it difficult to decide.  I think I chose wrongly.  The 15-45 and 16-80 have made the choice harder!

Hi J,

Thank you for your response.

I have written 16-55 instead of 16-50 by mistake. I'm only talking about XC 16-50 throughout the post.

My daylight images form XC 15-45 are looking good but in the low light , those are bad. That's why I am looking at these two.

Could you show us a bad low light one, jpg with EXIF and you'll get better advice.  If low light is your problem you may gain little from a different lens unless you can justify a much faster lens, say f2.

IMO the 18-55mm is a good starting lens I have been using mine for years since bought it at launch many years ago...

Forget about getting a 2nd hand 18-55. There is a very high chance you will get a decentered copy. Get the xc16-50ii and you can use the extra money for the xc35 f2 prime.

NotANumber wrote:

Forget about getting a 2nd hand 18-55. There is a very high chance you will get a decentered copy. Get the xc16-50ii and you can use the extra money for the xc35 f2 prime.

Hi, notwithstanding that above I said if I had to choose I'd opt for the 18-55, I think it is a great lens, this approach of an XC16-50MkII plus the new XC35, which I have no experience of but heard good things, makes a of of sense.

More decisions!

I think just stick with the XC15-45 kit that you got with the camera. I doubt you will see a huge improvement in your photography by switching from 1 zoom lens to another.

I recommend that you get a nice prime if you are looking for more bokeh, especially for portrait photos. You need a large aperture for this. The bokeh you get from the 3 zoom lenses will not be impressive.

Dear All,

After seeing all your suggestions, I decided to stick with current XC 15-45 lens till I understand all the basics. I am using shutter priority mode mostly. I need to learn how to use proper settings in manual mode and utilize the light.

Thank you for your time and support.