Fujifilm XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR I vs. II: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Fujifilm's original XF16-55mm f/2.8 lens has long been considered one of the best in the X-mount lineup, and is a lens I've owned and loved to use for many years. I know from personal experience that it's truly one of the best, whether discussing sharpness, detail, autofocus, build quality, or usability.

So when the new Fujifilm XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II was announced a while back, I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it be possible for Fujifilm to keep the high quality standards set by the original 16-55mm in a new, smaller, more compact package?

Well, recently I was able to get my hands on one for review. Upon comparing it to my Mark I version, I was very surprised by more than a few things about the Mark II.

In my latest YouTube video, linked here, I discuss the size difference, the new features on the Mark II version of the lens, and autofocus. Most importantly, I compare the image quality between the two lenses by doing something I rarely do: pixel peeping. It's a casual, easy-to-follow review that's light on technical jargon and heavy on practical comparison between the lenses, with the newer version having very big shoes to fill.

If you want to get more out of whichever lens you land on, The Well-Rounded Photographer: 8 Instructors Teach 8 Genres of Photography is a solid resource for putting a standard zoom to work across a range of subjects.

I hope you enjoy the video and that it helps you choose which lens is best for you.