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Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR vs Samyang AF 12mm F2 X

Short answer

The Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR (16mm) and Samyang AF 12mm F2 X (12mm) are both wide-angle lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. The Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR is the faster lens at f/1.4 against f/2 on the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X. Only the Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR has weather sealing and an aperture ring.

Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR: 1 specs ahead

Side by side

Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR Samyang AF 12mm F2 X
Brand Fujifilm Samyang
Focal length 16mm 12mm
35mm equivalent 24mm 18mm
Maximum aperture f/1.4 f/2
Mount Fujifilm X Fujifilm X
Autofocus Yes Yes
Optical stabilisation No —
Weather resistant Yes —
Aperture ring Yes —
Macro No —
Linear motor No —
Minimum aperture f/16 —
Aperture blades 9 —
Lens construction 13 elements in 11 groups —
Special elements 2 aspherical and 2 extra low dispersion elements —
Angle of view 83.2° —
Minimum focus 0.15 m —
Maximum magnification 0.21× —
Weight 375 g —
Diameter ⌀73.4 mm —
Length 73 mm —
Filter thread ⌀67 mm —

Where each one is ahead

Reasons to choose the Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR

  • Longer reach 24 mm vs 18 mm
  • Maximum aperture f/1.4 vs f/2

Reasons to choose the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X

  • Wider view 18 mm vs 24 mm

Framing and reach

Lens Frames like Horizontal view Frame width at 10 m
Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR 24 mm 72.6° 14.7 m
Samyang AF 12mm F2 X 18 mm 88.8° 19.6 m

The Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR gets 1.33× closer to the subject than the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X: whatever it points at fills 1.33× more of the frame edge to edge, or 1.8× more of its area. With the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X you would have to walk about 25% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 56% of the original pixels.

Angles and widths are calculated from focal length and sensor width, horizontally, on the native sensor of each mount.

What each one suits

Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WRSamyang AF 12mm F2 X
Birds and wildlife Poor Poor
Sports Poor Poor
Portrait Poor Poor
Travel Very good Good
Street Excellent Average
Weddings Very good Good
Walk around Very good Average
Vlogging Very good Very good
Landscape Excellent Good
Macro Poor Poor

Scored from the published specifications — focal length, aperture, stabilisation, weather sealing and weight. Sharpness, bokeh and rendering are not in a spec sheet and are not scored here.

Cameras that take both

Both lenses fit every interchangeable-lens X Series body — 34 in our list. Fixed-lens models such as the X100 series cannot take them.

Which one to choose

Choose the Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR if

  • low light is the priority. At f/1.4 it lets in 1 stops more than f/2 — faster shutter speeds indoors and softer backgrounds.
  • your subject is far away. It magnifies 1.33× more, and walking closer is not always an option.

Choose the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X if

  • you want more in the frame. It starts at 18 mm equivalent, against 24 mm on the other lens — interiors, landscapes and groups at close range.

Everything above comes from published specifications. How sharp each lens is, how quickly it focuses and what its pictures look like are not in any spec sheet, so this comparison does not try to judge them.

Common questions

Which is better in low light, the Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR or the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X?

The Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR. At f/1.4 against f/2 it gathers 1 stops more light, which matters without flash and for background blur. Stabilisation can offset some of that for still subjects, but not for moving ones.

Will both lenses fit my camera?

Both use the Fujifilm X mount, so they fit any X Series camera with interchangeable lenses. They do not fit fixed-lens models such as the X100 series or GFX bodies.

compare.faqTitle

Which is better, the Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR or the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X?

On measurable specs the Fujinon XF16mmF1.4 R WR leads, 1 wins against 0. That is a spec count, not a field test.

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Built from the specifications Fujifilm publishes.