The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN and Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR are both excellent all-around zoom lenses with a fixed aperture of f/2.8.
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 ($$)
Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR
- Focal Length: 16-55mm
- Max Aperture: f/2.8
- Mount: Fujifilm X
- Stabilized: ❌
- Weather-Sealing: ✔️
- Weight: 655g
- Released: 2015
- Amazon ($$$)
The Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 is almost double the price of the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8! They are both aimed at all-around photographers who want a fast f/2.8 aperture, but besides the price, there’s also a big size and weight difference between the two.
In this comparison, I will go over all of their advantages and how they compare in different photography styles.
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 XF 16-55mm f/2.8 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 vs Fujifilm: Detailed Comparison
🔭 1. Focal Length
- Sigma 18-50mm: From 18mm to 50mm
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: From 16mm to 55mm
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR has a little bit more wide-angle and telephoto zoom than the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN.
Nonetheless, 16 vs 18mm difference for landscape and real estate photography is definitely noticeable. That’s around 11% more of the scene captured.
The focal length comparison is definitely not something you should worry about, as both Sigma and Fuji cover an almost identical range. You can see example photos in my Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 review.
🎥 2. Maximum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths
- Winner: Tie
Both Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN and the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR have a constant f/2.8 aperture, which is great news for shooting in low light or less than ideal lighting conditions.
You can always select a smaller aperture, but f/2.8 is also great for blurring the background. This is useful for weddings, portraits, animals and macro photography.
📏 3. Dimensions & Weight
- Sigma 18-50mm: 290g
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: 655g
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN is 56% lighter (365g) than the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR.
That’s a big difference, and something you’ll definitely notice if traveling with 1-2 extra lenses. Both were designed for APS-C systems, but the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 is truly a more compact choice.
If you want to travel light, or don’t always use your camera because of its size, this is super important.
- Sigma 18-50mm: 65.4 x 74.5mm
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: 83.3 x 106.0mm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is 30% shorter than the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR.
Both lenses are still smaller than the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di VC RXD, a very popular alternative.
🎥 4. Minimum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: f/22
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: f/16
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN can stop down up to f/22, which is 1 stop smaller than f/16 on the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR.
This is definitely not an important factor to make you choose one lens over the other, but it can help if you often shoot landscape. Personally, I almost never go smaller than f/16, especially because of diffraction which can reduce image quality. You can see more about this in my aperture tutorial.
🔬 5. Minimum Focusing Distance
- Sigma 18-50mm: 12.1cm at 18mm
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: 30cm at 16mm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
A shorter minimum focusing distance allows you to get much closer to your subject. Remember, these distances are measured from your camera’s sensor and not from the front of the lens.
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN offers an incredible 12.1cm minimum focusing distance. This gets you twice as close as what the Fujifilm lens offers! You need to be in manual focus though.
⛅ 6. Weather-Sealing
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: ✔️
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is completely weather-sealed. It also feels more solid in hand, and is a clear winner if you often shoot in harsh weather conditions, or are afraid of damaging your gear.
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 is full metal.
🎦 7. Image Stabilization
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: ❌
- 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 camera has it built-in already.
If you’re shooting with an older Sony/Fujifilm camera, then this might be a bit of a disadvantage if you often shoot in low light, or indoors. 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 16-55mm: 9 rounded diaphragm blades
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
A lens with more diaphragm blades will usually produce smoother bokeh, aka background blur.
The Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 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 16-55mm: 77mm filter size
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN accepts 55mm filters. They are super affordable and very easy to find.
For the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR, you’ll need to buy 77mm filters. These are a lot more expensive, but still common in most photography stores.
💲 10. Price
- Sigma 18-50mm: ~$549
- Fujifilm 16-55mm: ~$1100
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN is literally half the price of the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR.
With the remaining ~$550, you could get yourself another high quality prime lens.
Sigma vs Fujifilm: 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.
As you can see, both lenses are nearly identical for most types of photography.
The 18-50mm and 16-55mm focal length is ideal for traveling and all-around photography. This includes portraits, landscape and even regular sports photography.
Sigma vs Fujifilm: Comparison Table
Better specifications are highlighted in green.
| 🎥 Lens Specification | Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 | Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-50mm | 16-55mm |
| 35mm Equivalent | 27-75mm | 24-83mm |
| Mount | Sony E (APS-C) | Fujifilm X (APS-C) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Filter Size | 55 mm | 77 mm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.36x | 0.16x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 12.1 cm | 30 cm |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Motor Type | Stepping Motor | Linear Motor |
| Lens Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups | 17 elements in 12 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 7 (rounded) | 9 (rounded) |
| Image Stabilization | ❌ | ❌ |
| Weather Sealing | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Dimensions (mm) | 65.4 x 74.5mm | 83.3 x 106.0mm |
| Weight (g) | 290g | 655g |
| Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
| Released | 2021 | 2015 |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
So, which lens is the better one?
Choose the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 if:
- You want a much smaller and lighter lens (56% lighter)
- You want to spend way less money (~$549 cheaper)
- You often shoot macro, close-up photography
Choose the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 if:
- You want 2mm wider and 5mm longer zoom reach
- You shoot in difficult conditions and want the best weather-sealing
- You want an aperture ring on the lens itself
