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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

vs

Fujifilm

XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Fujifilm X Mount

XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR — 70–300mm f/4-5.6 for Fujifilm X, a popular choice in the fujifilm lineup.

$799

Launch price

Released Mar 2021

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is 3.6 years newer.

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Wins

0categories

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

Wins

6categories

XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

WildlifeSports & Action

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR wins 0 categories·XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR wins 5 categories
  • BXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR has lower Min focus distance (83 cm vs 275 cm)
  • BXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR has lower Weight (580 g vs 1335 g)
  • BXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR has lower Length (132.5 mm vs 255.5 mm)
  • BXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR has higher Max magnification (0.33 × vs 0.2 ×)
  • BXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/4 vs f/5.6)

Key specs at a glance

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WRXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Focal Length500 mm70-300 mm
Max Aperturef/5.6f/4-5.6
MountFujifilm XFujifilm X
CoverageAPS-CAPS-C
Stabilization5.5 stops5.5 stops
Weight1335 g580 g
Min Focus275 cm83 cm
Filter Size95 mm67 mm

Size and weight, to scale

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

105 × 256 mm

1335 g (2.94 lb / 47.09 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 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

75 × 133 mm

580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is 123mm longer and 30mm wider than XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR.

XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is 755 g heavier than XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 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 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WRXF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Portrait
2.5Limited
5.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
6.0Good
Landscape
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Travel
2.0Limited
6.5Good
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
8.5Excellent
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

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

  • Special elements

    Adds 5 ED, 2 Super ED

  • 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

Reasons to choose the XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

  • Special elements

    Adds 1 Aspherical, 2 ED

  • Min focus distance

    83 cm vs 275 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    580 g vs 1335 g — lower is better

  • Length

    132.5 mm vs 255.5 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/4 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Diameter

    75 mm vs 104.5 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.33 × vs 0.2 × — higher is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/5.6

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Optical stabilization

Both support optical stabilization

OIS effectiveness

Both 5.5 stops

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Native Fujifilm X mount compatibility

Cons

  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR and XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR at major authorized retailers.

Fujifilm XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR

Fujifilm XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 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 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Focal length (Min)
500 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
500 mm
300 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/5.6
f/4+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/5.6
f/5.6
Elements
21
17
Groups
14
12
Special elements
5 ED, 2 Super ED
1 Aspherical, 2 ED
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Min focus distance
275 cm
83 cm−192 cm less
Max magnification
0.2 ×
0.33 ×+65%
Autofocus motor
Linear motor
Linear motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Optical stabilization
Yes
Yes
OIS effectiveness
5.5 stops
5.5 stops
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Weight
1335 g
580 g−755 g less
Length
255.5 mm
132.5 mm−123 mm less
Diameter
104.5 mm
75 mm−30 mm less
Filter thread size
95 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
9
9
XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR
XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 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.