Fujinon XF 23mm F2 Review
Released in 2016, the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR is a compact and weather-sealed prime lens designed for Fujifilm’s X-series cameras. With a full-frame equivalent focal length of 35mm, it provides a classic wide-angle perspective, making it an excellent choice for street, documentary, landscape, and everyday photography. This lens was introduced as a smaller, faster-focusing alternative to the older XF 23mm f/1.4 R while maintaining strong optical performance.
Build and Design
The XF 23mm f/2 R WR features an all-metal construction, giving it a durable and high-quality feel while remaining lightweight at just 180g. Its compact design makes it well-balanced on all Fujifilm X-series bodies, from the smaller X-E4 to the larger X-T5.
A major advantage of this lens is its weather resistance, with sealing in multiple areas to protect against dust, moisture, and low temperatures down to -10°C. This makes it a reliable option for photographers who shoot outdoors in various conditions.
The aperture ring moves smoothly in one-third stop increments, providing precise manual control. The 43mm filter thread is slightly less common than larger filter sizes but still allows for the use of ND and polarising filters.
Optical Performance
The XF 23mm f/2 delivers excellent sharpness across the frame, even when shot wide open. Central sharpness is particularly strong, and stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 further improves corner sharpness.
Contrast and colour rendering are excellent, producing images with natural tones and good depth. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled, and distortion is minimal, making it a strong choice for architectural and street photography.
The bokeh is smooth and pleasant for an f/2 lens, though it does not provide the same level of background blur as the XF 23mm f/1.4. Subject separation is still possible, particularly when shooting close to the minimum focusing distance of 22cm.
Autofocus Performance
One of the biggest strengths of the XF 23mm f/2 is its fast and silent autofocus. The internal stepping motor (STM) ensures quick and accurate focusing, making it a great choice for capturing spontaneous moments in street and documentary photography.
Autofocus performance is also reliable in low-light conditions, though it is not as bright as an f/1.4 lens. It works well for video applications, with minimal focus breathing and smooth operation when paired with Fujifilm’s latest autofocus algorithms.
Handling and Versatility
With its compact size, lightweight build, and weather resistance, the XF 23mm f/2 is one of the most practical lenses in Fujifilm’s lineup. It is small enough to carry every day, making it an excellent option for travel and casual shooting.
The 23mm focal length (35mm equivalent) is highly versatile, suitable for a wide range of subjects, including landscapes, street scenes, portraits, and environmental photography. The close focusing distance of 22cm allows for some creative wide-angle close-ups, adding to its flexibility.
My main issue with Fuji lenses though is how they feel in the hand. The paint or coating they use has a slightly greasy or slippery texture, which I find unpleasant compared to for instance Canon.
Drawbacks
- The f/2 aperture, while fast, does not provide as much low-light capability or subject isolation as the XF 23mm f/1.4
- Bokeh is smooth but not as pronounced as faster lenses
- 43mm filter thread size is less common, requiring specific filters
Conclusion
The Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR is an outstanding compact prime lens that offers excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and durable weather-sealing in a lightweight package. Its versatility and performance make it one of the best everyday lenses for Fujifilm shooters, particularly for those who need a reliable 35mm-equivalent lens for travel, street, and documentary photography.
While it does not provide the extreme depth of field control or low-light performance of the XF 23mm f/1.4, the f/2 version makes up for it with superior autofocus speed, a more compact design, and weather resistance. For photographers who prioritise portability and practicality, the XF 23mm f/2 R WR is a fantastic choice.
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.
