Compare
Fujinon XF18mmF2 R vs Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2
Short answer
The Fujinon XF18mmF2 R (18mm) and Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 (23mm) are both wide-angle lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. The Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 is the faster lens at f/1.2 against f/2 on the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R. Only the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R has an aperture ring and autofocus.
Evenly matched on paper
Side by side
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fujifilm | Voigtlander |
| Focal length | 18mm | 23mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 27mm | 35mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Autofocus | Yes | Manual focus |
| 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
- Wider view 27 mm vs 35 mm
- Autofocus Yes vs Manual focus
Reasons to choose the Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2
- Longer reach 35 mm vs 27 mm
- Maximum aperture f/1.2 vs f/2
Framing and reach
| Lens | Frames like | Horizontal view | Frame width at 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujinon XF18mmF2 R | 27 mm | 66.3° | 13.1 m |
| Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 | 35 mm | 54.1° | 10.2 m |
The Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 gets 1.3× closer to the subject than the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R: whatever it points at fills 1.3× more of the frame edge to edge, or 1.7× more of its area. With the Fujinon XF18mmF2 R you would have to walk about 23% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 60% 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 | Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Birds and wildlife | Poor | Poor |
| Sports | Poor | Poor |
| Portrait | Poor | Fair |
| Travel | Excellent | Good |
| Street | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weddings | Very good | Very good |
| Walk around | Excellent | Very good |
| Vlogging | Good | Poor |
| 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
- you want more in the frame. It starts at 27 mm equivalent, against 35 mm on the other lens — interiors, landscapes and groups at close range.
Choose the Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2 if
- low light is the priority. At f/1.2 it lets in 1.5 stops more than f/2 — faster shutter speeds indoors and softer backgrounds.
- your subject is far away. It magnifies 1.3× more, and walking closer is not always an option.
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 XF18mmF2 R or the Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2?
The Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2. At f/1.2 against f/2 it gathers 1.5 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 XF18mmF2 R or the Voigtlander Nokton 23mm F1.2?
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.