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Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR vs Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D
Short answer
The Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR (8–16mm) and Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D (9mm) are both ultra-wide lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. Only the Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR has weather sealing, an aperture ring, and autofocus.
Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR: 1 specs ahead
Side by side
| Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR | Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fujifilm | Laowa |
| Focal length | 8–16mm | 9mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 12–24mm | 14mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Fujifilm X |
| Autofocus | Yes | Manual focus |
| Optical stabilisation | No | — |
| Weather resistant | Yes | — |
| Aperture ring | Yes | — |
| Macro | No | — |
| Linear motor | Yes | — |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | — |
| Lens construction | 20 elements in 13 groups | — |
| Special elements | 4 aspherical, 3 ED, 3 super ED elements | — |
| Angle of view | 121° – 83.2° | — |
| Minimum focus | 0.25 m | — |
| Maximum magnification | 0.1× | — |
| Weight | 805 g | — |
| Diameter | ⌀88 mm | — |
| Length | 121.5 mm | — |
Where each one is ahead
Reasons to choose the Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR
- Longer reach 24 mm vs 14 mm
- Wider view 12 mm vs 14 mm
- Autofocus Yes vs Manual focus
Reasons to choose the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D
Nothing measurable in its favour.
Framing and reach
| Lens | Frames like | Horizontal view | Frame width at 10 m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR | 12–24 mm | 111.5°–72.6° | 29.4–14.7 m |
| Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D | 14 mm | 105.1° | 26.1 m |
The Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR gets 1.71× closer to the subject than the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D: whatever it points at fills 1.71× more of the frame edge to edge, or 2.9× more of its area. With the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D you would have to walk about 42% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 34% 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 XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR | Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D | |
|---|---|---|
| Birds and wildlife | Poor | Poor |
| Sports | Poor | Poor |
| Portrait | Poor | Poor |
| Travel | Average | Fair |
| Street | Fair | Fair |
| Weddings | Good | Fair |
| Walk around | Average | Fair |
| Vlogging | Good | Average |
| 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 XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR if
- your subject is far away. It magnifies 1.71× more, and walking closer is not always an option.
- you want more in the frame. It starts at 12 mm equivalent, against 14 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 XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR or the Laowa 9mm F2.8 Zero-D?
On measurable specs the Fujinon XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM 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.