Two Fujifilm Vlogging Lenses compared- XF16mm vs XC15-45mm

Introduction

A while back, I was looking for a Fujifilm vlogging camera rig for my blogging video productions. 

I wanted to mount my Fujifilm X-S10 with a Zhiyun Weebil S gimbal for reliable stabilized selfie footage. However, I had to think of a setup with a wide field of view because I was using a gimbal. The gimbal cannot be put on a selfie stick and needs to be at arm’s length.

My best Fujifilm X-mount bet was the excellent Fujinon 10-24 f/4 lens. It has a 10-24 (15-36 35mm) field of view and good image quality. 10-24  is a very usable zoom range for vlogs. The downfall of the Fujinon 10-24mm OIS WR is its weight. Coming in at 405 grams, it was a bit rough on my Zhiyun gimbal and my shoulder.

I love the 10-24mm f/4. Its field of view is perfect, it is weather sealed, has image stabilization, but it is too heavy for vlogging.

Fujinon’s vlogging lightweight lens options. 

So, I needed a Fujinon lens with a field of view that wouldn’t force me to put my gimbal on a stick and give me better-than-average image quality. Here are some of the options out there.

• The 16mm f/1.4 is too heavy. 
• The 8-16mm f/2.8 was way too expensive and heavy. 
• The 16-80 and 16-55 are also too heavy.
• The 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 has tight framing (it almost made the cut)

So, I narrowed my options to Fuji’s dedicated 15-45 zoom lens for vloggers or the 16mm f/2.8 fixed focal lens coming in at roughly the same price. I compared the two, and here is my review.

What factors should you think of when choosing a vlogging lens?

Here are THE main factors to think of when considering a lens for vlogging.

• Field of view (Tells you how far you have to reach out to get good framing) 
• Aperture or lens opening (How much light the lens lets in)
• Image quality
• Stabilization (Smooth video brings up production value)
• Weight 
• Cost-to-quality ratio

Using these factors, let’s compare the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 WR with the Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ

Field of View – Zoom or fixed?

• XF 16mm f/2.8 is a fixed focal lens with a 24mm full-frame field of view, providing a wide-angle view. This is good for vlogging. 
• XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 is a zoom that goes from wide-angle (22.5mm FFE) to a mild telephoto (67.5mm FFE). This gives vloggers flexibility in framing, from very wide shots to tighter shots.

Field of view advantage Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6

The field of view and zoom advantage on the 15-45 cannot be ignored, as all vloggers appreciate using the same selfie cam for B-Roll and other establishing shots when getting vlog footage. Having a 15-45  style of zoom reduces the gear necessary to get everything you need on a vlog outing.

Scroll over the pic to see the field of view and lens used

Aperture – Where do you vlog?

• The XF 16mm f/2.8 f/2.8’s open aperture performs very well in low light and can achieve pretty stunning bokeh (shallow depth of field*).
• The XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 has a smaller and variable aperture that gets smaller as you zoom in. At its widest (15mm), the aperture is f/3.5 and f/5.6 when zoomed into 45mm, which is OK, but not as bright as the 16mm f/2.8.

Aperture advantage Fujinon XF16mm f2.8

Having an open and fixed aperture on a selfie camera can be important. Never knowing how much your camera has to compensate to get a decent image of you can be a pain for a vlogger who depends on setting up a camera and forgetting about it. 

Vloggers often vary where they vlog from. The biggest variable is interior and exterior footage. If lighting changes are drastic where you plan on shooting, getting the most open-aperture lens would be wise. 

*subject sharp and background blurred for good subject separation

Image Quality – How good do you want to look?

• Due to fewer glass elements and simpler design, prime lenses like the XF 16mm f/2.8 give you sharpness across the frame.
• XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6  While the quality is respectable for a kit zoom lens, it will not give the same sharpness as the 16mm, especially at the edges.

Image quality advantage- Fujinon XF 16mm f2.8

The Fujinon 23mm,35mm,50mm f/2 and this 16mm f/2.8 are part of a series of Fuji lenses that are nothing less than spectacular in image quality. If image contrast, sharp shots, and subject detail are what you are looking for, the 16mm f/2.8 wins by a long shot. The 15-45 is also a good lens, but I am comparing it against an image quality giant.

Stabilization – Smooth images count for vlogging

• XF 16mm f/2.8 doesn’t have optical image stabilization (OIS). If stabilization is crucial for your vlogging, you’d need to rely on camera body stabilization (if available) or external stabilizers. I own the X-S10 with IBIS; therefore, I can live without lens stabilization. 
• XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 features OIS, which helps reduce the shake and can be beneficial when shooting hand-held. It also doubles in stabilization responsiveness when attached to an image-stabilized body.

Image stabilization advantage – Fujinon XC15-45mm f3.5-5.6

The clear winner for image stabilization is the XC15-45mm. It has stabilization, and the 16 has none.

Size and Weight – What burden will the lens give at arm’s length? 

• XF 16mm f/2.8 weighs 154 grams**, so it’s relatively compact and lightweight, making it comfortable for vlogging.
• XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 is 130 grams**, so it’s even lighter and compact for a zoom lens.

Both selfie lenses tie for weight, only a 24-gram difference.

**These weights differ from weights displayed on the product website. I used my personal scale to weigh them.

Cost – Which is cheaper

Both these lenses are about the same price. The 16mm is more expensive, but the difference is negligible. 

• Click here to get the XC 15-45mm f3.5-5.6 OIS PZ
• Click here to get the XF 16mm F2.8 R WR

Build quality is important when vlogging

The 16mm f/2.8 is made of metal. The 15-45 f/3.5-5.6 is plastic. The cost had to be cut somewhere to get a stabilized zoom lens that is light and cheap. If good build quality is a deal breaker, you want to go with the Fujinon 16mm f/2.8.

Other considerations when deciding which vlog lens to buy

Power Zoom on a gimbal? Maybe not.

Whether you like power zooms or not is a factor that might be important for you. The 15-45 has a power zoom that you need to twist. This is not important if you mount your camera on a selfie stick. However, if you mount your camera on a gimbal, the twisting force needed to zoom on the 15-45 might cause your gimbal to go a bit crazy while vlogging.

Do you vlog in the rain?

The XF16mm is weather-sealed, and this could be a deal breaker if you like to vlog in the woods or on long excursions where you want to minimize the number of lenses used. If the sky turns sour, you will worry less with a weather-sealed lens.

Conclusion. What is most important for your vlog? 

If flexibility in framing and stabilization are top priorities for your vlogging needs, the XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 might be better suited for you.  

On the other hand, if you want a slightly brighter lens with better image quality and are fine with a fixed focal length, the XF 16mm f/2.8 would be the choice. It all depends on what your priority is.

My personal conclusion

I own the X-S10 and will vlog with the Zhiyun Weebil S. The Fujifilm X-S10 camera is equipped with in-body image stabilization; therefore, I do not need a stabilized lens. I also prefer a sharper image and good build construction. I tend to be rough with my equipment. Therefore, the 16mm f/2.8 will be my choice moving forward.

Check out the Jacques Gaines Instagram as well