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Fujinon XF18mmF2 R vs Samyang AF 12mm F2 X
Short answer
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R (18mm) and Samyang AF 12mm F2 X (12mm) are both wide-angle lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. Only the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R has an aperture ring.
Evenly matched on paper
Side by side
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | Samyang AF 12mm F2 X | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fujifilm | Samyang |
| Focal length | 18mm | 12mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 27mm | 18mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/2 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Autofocus | Yes | Yes |
| Optical stabilisation | No | — |
| Weather resistant | No | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Macro | No | — |
| Linear motor | No | — |
| Minimum aperture | f/16 | — |
| Aperture blades | 7 | — |
| Angle of view | 76.5° | — |
| Minimum focus | 0.18 m | — |
| Maximum magnification | 0.14× | — |
| Weight | 116 g | — |
| Diameter | ⌀64.5 mm | — |
| Length | 33.7 mm | — |
| Filter thread | ⌀52 mm | — |
Where each one is ahead
Reasons to choose the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R
- Longer reach 27 mm vs 18 mm
Reasons to choose the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X
- Wider view 18 mm vs 27 mm
Framing and reach
| Lens | Frames like | Horizontal view | Frame width at 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | 27 mm | 66.3° | 13.1 m |
| Samyang AF 12mm F2 X | 18 mm | 88.8° | 19.6 m |
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R gets 1.5× closer to the subject than the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X: whatever it points at fills 1.5× more of the frame edge to edge, or 2.3× more of its area. With the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X you would have to walk about 33% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 44% 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 XF18mmF2 R | Samyang AF 12mm F2 X | |
|---|---|---|
| Birds and wildlife | Poor | Poor |
| Sports | Poor | Poor |
| Portrait | Poor | Poor |
| Travel | Excellent | Good |
| Street | Excellent | Average |
| Weddings | Very good | Good |
| Walk around | Excellent | Average |
| Vlogging | Good | Very good |
| Landscape | Good | 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 XF18mmF2 R if
- your subject is far away. It magnifies 1.5× 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 27 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
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 XF18mmF2 R or the Samyang AF 12mm F2 X?
On paper they come out even across 20 compared specs. What is left is handling and today’s price, which this page does not measure.
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Built from the specifications Fujifilm publishes.