Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 DC DN vs Fujinon XF18-55mmF2.8-4 and XF16-55mmF2.8 – Which One Should You Get? (POLL)

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So Sigma has officially launched the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN lens.

The question now is: how does it compare to Fujifilm’s closest competitors, the Fujinon XF18-55mmF2.8-4 and the (currently discounted) Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8?

Well, I have gone through the various videos we shared in the dedicated live blog here, and to sum it up I’d say:

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 vs Fujinon XF18-55mm f/2.8-4

According to BigHeadTaco, the Sigma is better than the Fujinon, but the comparison made in an controlled environment by DPRTV actually shows that performance is absolutely comparable, with the XF18-55mmF2.8-4 performing better in the corners wide open, whereas the Sigma is better in corners at the telephoto end.

In fact, DPRTV even says that they were surprised that the old Fujinon XF18-55mmF2.8-4 (Fuji’s first X mount zoom lens) still holds up beautifully against the much more modern Sigma 18-50mmF2.8.

With many other parameters also being quite similar (LoCa, focus breathing, autofocus, flare), the decision comes more down to price, features and your shooting style.

So for example if you plan to shoot a lot on the telephoto end, get the Sigma for a shallower DOF.

But the Fujinon has more features such as optical image stabilisation (useful if you shoot on a X body without IBIS) and a dedicated aperture ring.

The Sigma is only marginally smaller and lighter and even though it is a bit more affordable, if you get the XF18-55mmF2.8-4 bundled with an X series camera, the price ends up to be pretty much the same.

I guess at the end of the day the question you have to make yourself is: do you want an aperture ring? If yes, get the Fujinon. If not, then the Sigma is a wonderful alternative.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 vs Fujinon XF16-55mm f/2.8

In this case the Sigma has a clear size and price advantage.

On the other hand, the Fujinon is weather sealed and has an aperture ring.

Both don’t have OIS.

And what about image quality?

Tony Northrup overall says the Sigma 18-50mmF2.8 is sharper at the wide end, whereas the Fujinon is sharper at the long end. The Sigma has more fringing. Bokeh quality is better on the Fujinon. The Sigma has better contrast in backlight situations, better flare control and better macro capabilities.

The French youtube channel Les Guides Fujifilm confirms that the Sigma is a bit sharper, not only on the wide end, but also on the long end. He also prefers the Bokeh on the Sigma. The Fujinon has much less chromatic aberration. Contrary to Tony, he prefers the flare performance on the Fujinon, but at the same he confirms that agains bright light sources, the Sigma loses less contrast over the Fujinon.

Overall, while each one of these lenses has its strengths, we can say that the much more affordable Sigma can match and in some cases even surpass the Fujinon in terms of image quality.

So while the Sigma seems to be the obvious pick here, due to its price and size advantage (unless you want an aperture ring of course), keep in mind that you do get quite more range on the Fujinon, as it starts at 16 instead of 18 (and on the wide end this can make quite some difference) and you also get 5mm more on the long end (55 vs 50).

But if you don’t need that extra range and don’t care about aperture rings, given the price and size difference, I think the Sigma is the better pick here.

The Final Word

Based on the reviews I have seen so far, I think the overall best pick for me would be the XF18-55mmF2.8-4 especially if purchased bundled with a camera (which brings down the price of the lens). Or you can check out the used department and get a great deal there if you find a copy.

You get OIS, you get an aperture ring and you get plenty of performance in a little package.

But also the Sigma has its strengths (even smaller and affordable, constant f/2.8 and great macro capabilities) as well as the Fujinon XF16-55mmF2.8 (less chromatic aberration, wider range especially on the wide end with its 16mm).

I’d love to hear which one you guys would pick, so feel free to let us know in the comments and vote the survey down below.

I would buy the...

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