Fujinon XF 23mm F2 Review
The Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR is a compact and affordable prime lens that delivers a delightful balance of portability, sharpness, and versatility. With its weather-sealed build and classic design, it’s a perfect match for Fujifilm X-series cameras, particularly for those who prioritise lightweight setups without compromising image quality. The 23mm focal length (equivalent to 35mm on full-frame) makes it an excellent choice for street photography, environmental portraits, and everyday shooting.
The build quality is quintessential Fujifilm—solid and functional, with a premium feel despite its compact size and light weight (180g). The metal construction is sturdy and includes weather sealing, which ensures the lens is ready to handle rain, dust, or freezing temperatures, making it a great companion for outdoor photography. The aperture ring, a standout feature of Fuji’s XF primes, clicks firmly and precisely, adding to the tactile satisfaction of using this lens.
Optically, the XF 23mm f/2 performs impressively for its size and price. It’s sharp in the centre even at f/2, and while the edges aren’t as tack-sharp wide open, stopping down improves corner performance significantly. Contrast and colour rendition are classic Fuji—rich, vibrant, and natural, making your images pop straight out of the camera. The f/2 aperture is fast enough for most low-light situations and allows for decent subject isolation, though the bokeh isn’t as creamy as you’d find with the faster XF 23mm f/1.4. That said, the out-of-focus areas are smooth and pleasant, never distracting.
One of the highlights of the XF 23mm f/2 is its autofocus performance. The internal stepping motor is incredibly fast, near-silent, and reliable, making it an excellent choice for both still photography and video work. On Fuji’s newer X-series bodies with advanced autofocus systems, the lens pairs seamlessly, locking focus with minimal hunting even in challenging conditions.
There’s a bit of distortion and vignetting at f/2, but both are minor and easily corrected in-camera or in post. Flare is well-controlled, and chromatic aberration is minimal, showcasing Fuji’s excellent optical engineering in this lens.
Where the XF 23mm f/2 truly shines is in its portability and usability. It’s so small and light that it practically disappears on your camera, making it ideal for carrying all day or for discreet shooting. It’s an outstanding choice for travel and street photography, where you want to remain unobtrusive while capturing high-quality images.
Overall, the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR is a stellar little lens that punches above its weight class. While it doesn’t have the wide aperture or ultimate sharpness of the XF 23mm f/1.4, it offers incredible value and practicality, delivering great image quality in a durable, weather-sealed, and compact package. For anyone looking for a fast, lightweight 35mm-equivalent lens for their Fujifilm system, this one is hard to beat.
Samples
Here are some recent photos I captured using the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR lens. These sample shots highlight the lens’s performance across different conditions, settings, and subjects. To view the complete collection of photos taken with this lens, the link.
