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Fujifilm

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

Fujifilm X Mount

The pro-grade standard zoom for X-mount camera bodies, delivering prime-like performance.

$1,199

Launch price

Released Jan 2015

vs

Fujifilm

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

Fujifilm X Mount

762mm-equiv. super-telephoto at only 1335g with 5.5-stop OIS and linear AF.

$3,699

Launch price

Released Oct 2024

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is 9.8 years newer.

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Wins

6categories

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR wins 4 categories·XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR wins 1 categories
  • BXF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR has higher OIS effectiveness (5.5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AXF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR has lower Min focus distance (30 cm vs 275 cm)
  • AXF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR has lower Length (106 mm vs 255.5 mm)
  • AXF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR has lower Weight (655 g vs 1335 g)
  • AXF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)

Key specs at a glance

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WRXF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Focal Length16-55 mm500 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/5.6
MountFujifilm XFujifilm X
CoverageAPS-CAPS-C
StabilizationNo5.5 stops
Weight655 g1335 g
Min Focus30 cm275 cm
Filter Size77 mm95 mm

Size and weight, to scale

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

83 × 106 mm

655 g (1.44 lb / 23.10 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

105 × 256 mm

1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 oz)

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR is 150mm shorter and 22mm narrower than XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR.

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR is 680 g lighter than XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR.

Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseXF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WRXF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
4.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
8.0Excellent
4.0Fair
Travel
5.5Fair
2.0Limited
Wildlife
3.0Limited
10.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
1.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

  • Special elements

    Adds 3 Aspherical, 3 ED

  • Min focus distance

    30 cm vs 275 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    106 mm vs 255.5 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    655 g vs 1335 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    83 mm vs 104.5 mm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

  • Special elements

    Adds 5 ED, 2 Super ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR supports it

  • Control ring

    Only XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR supports it

  • Max magnification

    0.2 × vs 0.16 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

Pros

  • Incredible center-to-corner sharpness across the range
  • Professional weather-resistant build quality
  • Twin Linear Motors deliver rapid, near-silent autofocus
  • Dedicated physical aperture ring

Cons

  • No optical image stabilization
  • Relatively heavy and bulky for an APS-C lens (655g)
  • Filter size of 77mm is large for X-series accessories

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Premium price point
  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR and XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR at major authorized retailers.

Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR

Fujifilm XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Focal length (Min)
16 mm
500 mm
Focal length (Max)
55 mm
500 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+2 stops wider
f/5.6
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2 stops wider
f/5.6
Elements
17
21
Groups
12
14
Special elements
3 Aspherical, 3 ED
5 ED, 2 Super ED
XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Min focus distance
30 cm−245 cm less
275 cm
Max magnification
0.16 ×
0.2 ×+25%
Autofocus motor
Twin Linear Motors
Linear motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5.5 stops
XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Weight
655 g−680 g less
1335 g
Length
106 mm−150 mm less
255.5 mm
Diameter
83 mm−22 mm less
104.5 mm
Filter thread size
77 mm
95 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
Lens mount
Fujifilm X
Fujifilm X
Format coverage
APS-C
APS-C

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.