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Whether you've bought an inexpensive Fujifilm X-A5 with a kit lens, or a higher-end body like the X-T3, at some point you're going to want some new glass. Whether you're shooting portraits or want a versatile travel zoom, we've got you covered.
Before we go on, keep in mind that these lenses are for X-series cameras only. Fujifilm's GFX medium format bodies use a different mount, which we're not covering in this buying guide.
For each of the categories below the winner was the lens which we found to offer the best combination of quality and value. In most cases, we've also provided a more budget-friendly option, as well as a choice for those with more to spend.
- Best kit lens replacement
- Best prime / single focal length lens (all-around)
- Best prime / single focal length lens (for portraits)
- Best wide-angle zoom lens
- Best telephoto zoom lens
- Best macro lens
- Best lens for travel
Here at DPReview we use a lot of lenses, but we can't test every single product on the market. So if we've excluded your favorite lens, or if you disagree with any of our selections, please let us know in the comments below.
Best kit lens replacement
Standard (kit) zooms are just what they sound like - versatile, general-purpose lenses that start with a fairly wide angle of view and allow you to zoom in to a focal length traditionally used for portraits.
Our pick: XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0 R OIS LM
Also consider:
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Money no object: It's big, it's heavy, it's unstabilized, but more importantly, the 16-55mm F2.8 is optically excellent. It's one of the most powerful ways to get the most out of your camera. |
For more flexibility: At time of publication, the 18-135mm is the best way of adding a lot more flexibility to your camera. Just bear in mind that it has a slightly slower aperture than the 18-55mm and doesn't go any wider, so think carefully about what you'd gain. |
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Best prime / single focal length lens (all-around use)
Removing the complexity of a variable focal length often allows for prime lenses to be smaller, lighter and sharper, while letting more light through and being more useful in dimly lit situations.
For all-around use we'd recommend a semi-wide-angle lens that can lend itself to a range of subjects.
Our pick: XF 23mm F2 R WR
Also consider:
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Small/light/affordable: The 27mm lens offers a 40mm equiv. field-of-view, which can be great fun to shoot with. At F2.8 it's not going to give much of a benefit in terms of light capture or depth-of-field compared with a kit zoom. Its major appeal is size: it's convenient and discreet when paired with most X-series cameras. |
Money no object: The Fujifilm 23mm F1.4 is optically excellent, making it a great do-everything prime. It's not especially fast to focus but if you want the quality and improved low light performance it brings, then that's the trade-off. |
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Best prime / single focal length lens (for portraits)
Prime lenses are just a single focal length; removing the complexity of a zoom often allows for these lenses to be smaller, lighter and sharper, while letting more light through and being more useful in dimly lit situations.
For portraits we'd recommend a mid-telephoto lens that lets you shoot head-and-shoulders shots from a comfortable working distance.
Our pick: XF 56mm F1.2 R
Also consider:
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For a bit more breathing room: The 90mm F2 isn't cheap, but it's extremely sharp, is faster to focus than the 56mm and gives plenty of control over depth-of-field. It also gives a longer working distance, which some people will prefer. |
The inexpensive option: The 50mm's equivalent focal length of 75mm is a bit shorter than the 56mm's, but the magnification difference is minimal in normal use and it's much less expensive, faster to focus and still pleasantly sharp. It's also small enough to carry with you at all times. |
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Best wide-angle zoom lens
Wide-angle lenses are often useful for taking photos of interiors, landscapes and architecture.
Our pick: XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS
Also consider:
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Money no object: If you need to go wider or brighter than the 10-24mm, there's the 8-16mm F2.8. It's well-corrected and generally superb optically. Just be aware: it's big, heavy, and cannot accept screw-in filters. |
Best telephoto zoom lens
Telephoto lenses start out being fairly zoomed-in, and allow you to zoom in even further so you can fill your frame with more distant subjects.
Our pick: XF 55-200mm F3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
Also consider:
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Budget option: The 50-230mm is a low-cost stabilized tele-zoom. Be aware of that F6.7 maximum aperture at the long end of the zoom: it's not going to let in a lot of light, so your images are likely to be noisy in all but the best light. |
Money no object: The 50-140mm F2.8 makes a lot more sense when you realize it covers roughly the same range as the classic 70-200mm sports lenses do on full-frame cameras. It's fast, well-built and offers image stabilization, and is much easier to wield than most lenses with this focal length. |
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Best macro lens
Macro lenses allow you to focus very close to small subjects, which is handy for photographing flowers or bugs.
Our pick: XF 80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro
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The 80mm F2.8 Macro is sharp, stabilized and gives a useful working distance, meaning you're not bearing-down on your subject. A flexible, attractive choice for close-up shooting. |
Also consider:
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Money no object: We've been impressed by what we've seen of the Zeiss Touit series but they're significantly more expensive than their Fujinon counterparts. We prefer the 50mm Macro to Fujifilm's rather slow-to-focus 60mm F2.4 if you need something wider than the 80mm. |
Best travel zoom lens
If you want a versatile lens that can handle most shooting situation, then consider a travel zoom. You still start out with a fairly wide field-of-view and can zoom in almost as much as many telephoto lenses. This is convenient, but these lenses tend to let less light through them, so aren't as useful in dimly lit situations, and they may not always give you the sharpest results.