How does the new Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR compare to the already lightweight Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN? Which of these two all-around zoom lenses is better for your Fujifilm camera?
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Focal Length: 18-50mm
- Max Aperture: f/2.8
- Mount: Fujifilm X
- Stabilized: ❌
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Weight: 290g
- Released: 2021
- Amazon ($$)
Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR
- Focal Length: 16-50mm
- Max Aperture: f/2.8-4.8
- Mount: Fujifilm X
- Stabilized: ❌
- Weather-Sealing: ✔️
- Weight: 240g
- Released: 2024
- Amazon ($$)
In this comparison, I go through all of their advantages and how they compare at different photography styles.
Both Sigma and Fuji are optically excellent lenses, but the Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 costs around $150 more than the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8.
If you’re in a hurry, the advantages below are all you need to make the final decision.
Advantages of Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Advantages of Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR
Now, let’s see which features and advantages are actually important for your specific needs and which ones only sound good on paper.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Fujifilm 16-50mm: Detailed Comparison
🔭 1. Focal Length
- Sigma 18-50mm: From 18mm to 50mm
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: From 16mm to 55mm
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR has a 2mm wider focal length than the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN.
It doesn’t sound like a big difference, but for landscape and real estate photography it can play a big role. That’s 11% more scene captured in your shot compared to the Sigma.
Both lenses end at 50mm, making them an excellent all-around travel companion.
🎥 2. Maximum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: Variable aperture; f/2.8 at 18mm and f/4.8 at 50mm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN can shoot at f/2.8 regardless of the focal length you’re at.
Shooting with f/2.8 makes it much more usable for low light scenarios, indoor events, weddings and portraits. Aperture f/2.8 brings twice as much light as f/4! You can see example shots in my Sigma 18-50mm review.
On the other hand, the Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR is still a good choice, considering it can shoot at f/2.8 at 18mm. Most kit lenses from other camera companies aren’t that bright!
📏 3. Dimensions & Weight
- Sigma 18-50mm: 290g / 0.64lb
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: 240g / 0.53lb
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR manages to weight 50g less than the already lightweight Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN.
- Sigma 18-50mm: 65.4 x 74.5mm / 2.57″ x 2.93″
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: 65.0 x 71mm / 2.56″ x 2.8″
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm lens is a tiny bit shorter than Sigma, making it an even more compact travel companion. For an all-around zoom lens, you really won’t find anything that comes close to it. The Sigma 18-50mm is already incredible, but Fujifilm took it a step further, although it’s not a fixed f/2.8 zoom (which would make it bigger).
Both lenses combined are almost as heavy as the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di VC RXD, a very popular alternative.
🎥 4. Minimum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: f/22
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: f/22
- Winner: Tie
Nothing too exciting here, as both Sigma and Fujifilm stop down to f/22. It’s perfectly fine for 99% scenarios when it comes to landscape or real estate photography. Plus, shooting with small apertures can result in diffraction, aka loss of image quality.
🔬 5. Minimum Focusing Distance
- Sigma 18-50mm: 12.1cm / 4.72″
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: 24cm / 9.45″
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN offers an incredible 12.1cm minimum focusing distance. This gets you 2x closer to your subject than the Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 does! You do however have to be in manual focus to achieve this.
Remember, these distances are measured from your camera’s sensor and not from the front of the lens. The Sigma is a lot more usable for macro photography, even though none of these lenses are designed for that specifically.
⛅ 6. Weather-Sealing
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: ✔️
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The WR in Fujifilm 16-50mm’s name stands for Weather Resistance, so you can shoot in difficult weather conditions and not worry about damaging your lens.
For casual use, all lenses can handle a normal amount of rain, snow and dust. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN is perfectly fine for shooting in light rain, but it’s only weather-sealed at the mount. Its design is mostly plastic with some metal parts, whereas the Fujifilm offers better dust and weather resistance.
🎦 7. Image Stabilization
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: ❌
- Winner: Tie
Image stabilization helps make your images appear less blurry when shooting with slow shutter speeds.
Neither of these two lenses offer Image stabilization. However, this isn’t a problem if your Fujifilm camera has it built-in already. It won’t help freeze moving subjects, it will only help correct your unwanted movement when taking a picture.
💿 8. Aperture Blades
- Sigma 18-50mm: 7 rounded diaphragm blades
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: 9 rounded diaphragm blades
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
A lens with more diaphragm blades will usually produce smoother bokeh, aka background blur.
The Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR has 9 blades versus 7, which is not a big difference, and the bokeh quality also depends on the quality of the lens itself. However, it never hurts to have more!
📽 9. Filter Size
- Sigma 18-50mm: 55m filter size
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: 58mm filter size
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
Both lenses accept super small filters, and the price difference between 55mm and 58mm is negligible. You’ll be able to find them in all stores at low prices.
💲 10. Price
- Sigma 18-50mm: ~$549
- Fujifilm 16-50mm: ~$699
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN costs around $150 less than the Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR.
Why does the Fujifilm cost more? Besides the name, you’re paying for weather resistance and good image quality in an even smaller body than the Sigma. This is definitely worth the extra money, but it depends on your needs.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Fujifilm 16-50mm: Photography Type
From 1 being worst, 5 being the best.
It’s best to choose a lens that suits your favorite photography types, or offers you something that your current gear is not good enough for.
Nearly identical scores! Out of all all-around APS-C comparisons, these two are the closest we have reviewed.
You’ll be able to capture high quality images regardless of which lens you choose, and both can be used for all-around photography and various scenarios.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Fujifilm 16-50mm: Comparison Table
Better specifications are highlighted in green.
| 🎥 Lens Specification | Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 | Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-50mm | 16-50mm |
| 35mm Equivalent | 27-75mm | 24-75mm |
| Mount | Fujifilm X (APS-C) | Fujifilm X (APS-C) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8-4.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Filter Size | 55 mm | 58 mm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.36x | 0.30x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 12.1 cm / 4.72″ | 24 cm / 9.45″ |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Motor Type | Stepper Motor | Linear Motor |
| Lens Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups | 11 elements in 9 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 7 (rounded) | 9 (rounded) |
| Image Stabilization | ❌ | ❌ |
| Weather Sealing | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Dimensions (mm) | 65.4 x 74.5mm / 2.57″ x 2.93″ | 65.0 x 71mm / 2.56″ x 2.8″ |
| Weight (g) | 290g / 0.64lb | 240g / 0.53lb |
| Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
| Released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
So, which lens is the better one?
Choose the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 if:
- You often shoot in low light and need the f/2.8 aperture
- You often shoot macro and close-up photography
- You’re on a tight budget and want something around $500
Choose the Fujifilm 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 if:
- You want a 2mm wider view for landscape and interior photography
- You want an extremely lightweight and compact all-around lens
- You often travel in difficult weather and don’t want to feel stressed
- You’re okay with sometimes raising the ISO due to f/4.8 instead of f/2.8
- You like using the manual aperture ring
