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Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR vs Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

Short answer

The Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR (8mm) and Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD (11–20mm) are both ultra-wide lenses for the Fujifilm X mount. The Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD is the faster lens at f/2.8 against f/3.5 on the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR. Only the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR has weather sealing and an aperture ring.

Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD: 1 specs ahead

Side by side

Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
Brand Fujifilm Tamron
Focal length 8mm 11–20mm
35mm equivalent 12mm 17–30mm
Maximum aperture f/3.5 f/2.8
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/22 —
Aperture blades 9 —
Lens construction 12 elements in 9 groups —
Special elements 3 aspherical and 2 ED elements —
Angle of view 121° —
Minimum focus 0.18 m —
Maximum magnification 0.07× —
Weight 215 g —
Diameter ⌀68 mm —
Length 52.8 mm —
Filter thread ⌀62 mm —

Where each one is ahead

Reasons to choose the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR

  • Wider view 12 mm vs 17 mm

Reasons to choose the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD

  • Longer reach 30 mm vs 12 mm
  • Maximum aperture f/2.8 vs f/3.5

Framing and reach

Lens Frames like Horizontal view Frame width at 10 m
Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR 12 mm 111.5° 29.4 m
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD 17–30 mm 93.8°–60.9° 21.4–11.8 m

The Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD gets 2.5× closer to the subject than the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR: whatever it points at fills 2.5× more of the frame edge to edge, or 6.3× more of its area. With the Fujinon XF8mmF3.5 R WR you would have to walk about 60% of the distance towards the subject to get the same picture — or crop it later, which leaves roughly 16% 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 XF8mmF3.5 R WRTamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD
Birds and wildlife Poor Poor
Sports Poor Poor
Portrait Poor Poor
Travel Average Good
Street Poor Good
Weddings Average Good
Walk around Fair Good
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 XF8mmF3.5 R WR if

  • you want more in the frame. It starts at 12 mm equivalent, against 17 mm on the other lens — interiors, landscapes and groups at close range.

Choose the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD if

  • low light is the priority. At f/2.8 it lets in 0.6 stops more than f/3.5 — faster shutter speeds indoors and softer backgrounds.
  • your subject is far away. It magnifies 2.5× 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 XF8mmF3.5 R WR or the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD?

The Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD. At f/2.8 against f/3.5 it gathers 0.6 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 XF8mmF3.5 R WR or the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD?

On measurable specs the Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD leads, 1 wins against 0. That is a spec count, not a field test.

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Built from the specifications Fujifilm publishes.