Which all-around zoom lens is better, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN or the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR?
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 ($)
Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR
- Focal Length: 16-80mm
- Max Aperture: f/4
- Mount: Fujifilm X
- Stabilized: ✔️
- Weather-Sealing: ✔️
- Weight: 440g
- Released: 2019
- Amazon ($)
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is incredibly small and offers a constant f/2.8 aperture. The Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is a tad bigger, has more telephoto zoom and proper weather-sealing.
In this comparison, I will go over all of their advantages and how they compare in different photography styles. By the end, you should have a better understanding of which lens suits your needs better.
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 16-80mm f/4 R OIS 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 16-80mm: From 16mm to 80mm
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR has a lot more telephoto zoom than the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN.
This makes it more appealing for portrait, sport and travel photography because it allows you to get closer to your subject. If you’re looking for an all-in-one lens and don’t use any other telephoto lenses, the Fujifilm will be of better value to you.
When it comes to wide angle, 16 vs 18mm is very similar. You’ll rarely miss the extra 2mm unless you do a lot of real estate or landscape photography. For interior shots, even 1mm can make a difference of getting more room into your shot.
🎥 2. Maximum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths
- Fujifilm 16-80mm: Constant maximum aperture of f/4 at all focal lengths
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN lets in 1 stop more light, which results in images that are twice as bright at the maximum aperture.
For low light photography (weddings, events, concerts), the difference between f/2.8 and f/4 is absolutely noticeable. With the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR, you will basically always have to raise the ISO level by 1 stop higher than you would with the Sigma. Noise results largely depend on the camera and post-processing you’re using.
An aperture of f/2.8 will also make the background appear a bit smoother.
📏 3. Dimensions & Weight
- Sigma 18-50mm: 290g
- Fujifilm 16-80mm: 440g
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN is 150g lighter (34%) than the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR.
This is quite impressive, considering that bigger apertures usually result in bigger lens. Not the case in this comparison! Both lenses are perfectly usable for long trips and won’t make you tired.
- Sigma 18-50mm: 65.4 x 74.5mm
- Fujifilm 16-80mm: 78.3 x 88.9mm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is 30% smaller than the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. It’s easier to pack in any bag, or to store it in your pocket.
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 16-80mm: f/22
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
Nothing too exciting here, as both Sigma and Fuji stop down to f/22. It’s perfectly fine for 99% scenarios when it comes to landscape or real estate photography.
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 16-80mm: 35cm 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 is almost 3x closer than what the Fujifilm 16-80mm can focus.
It truly makes the Sigma a much better option for close-up, macro photography. As a matter of fact, in some cases your subject might actually touch the front element of the lens! It’s that close.
⛅ 6. Weather-Sealing
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Fujifilm 16-80mm: ✔️
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
The Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS 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 16-80mm: ✔️
- Winner: Tie 🏆
Image stabilization (OIS) helps make your images appear less blurry when shooting with slow shutter speeds.
Like many other Fuji lenses, the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR comes with built-in stabilization, whereas the compact Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN doesn’t have anything to help you out.
If your Fujifilm camera has built-in stabilization, then this is quite irrelevant. However, if you’re shooting with an older model, it’s very hard to imagine a non-stabilized lens, especially when shooting at 80mm.
Remember, image stabilization 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 16-80mm: 9 rounded diaphragm blades
- Winner: Fujifilm 🏆
A lens with more diaphragm blades will usually produce smoother bokeh, aka background blur.
The Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS 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 16-80mm: 72mm 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 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR, you’ll need to buy 72mm filters. These are a bit more expensive, but still highly common in most photography stores.
💲 10. Price
- Sigma 18-50mm: ~$549
- Fujifilm 16-80mm: ~$600
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DG DN costs around $50 less.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Fujifilm 16-80mm: 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, except when it comes to macro.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Fujifilm 16-80mm: Comparison Table
Better specifications are highlighted in green.
| 🎥 Lens Specification | Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 | Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-50mm | 16-80mm |
| 35mm Equivalent | 27-75mm | 24-120mm |
| Mount | Sony E (APS-C) | Fujifilm X (APS-C) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Filter Size | 55 mm | 72 mm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.36x | 0.25x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 12.1 cm | 35 cm |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Motor Type | Stepping Motor | Linear Motor |
| Lens Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 7 (rounded) | 9 (rounded) |
| Image Stabilization | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Weather Sealing | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Dimensions (mm) | 65.4 x 74.5mm | 78.3 x 88.9mm |
| Weight (g) | 290g | 440g |
| Hood Included | Yes | Yes |
| Released | 2021 | 2019 |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
So, which lens is the better one?
Choose the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 if:
- You want a bigger aperture for low light (f/2.8 vs f/4)
- You want a smaller and lighter lens (34% lighter)
- You want to shoot macro and close-up photography
Choose the Fujifilm 16-80mm f/4 if:
- You want 2mm wider and 30mm longer zoom reach
- You shoot in difficult conditions and want the best weather-sealing
- Your camera doesn’t have built-in image stabilization
- You want an aperture ring on the lens itself
