There are optical kit and optical kit. If the cheapest are generally pieces of plastic whose main advantage is to be very cheap, certain models like the XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS are of a completely different caliber. But after having accompanied many hybrid kits from previous generations of APS-C cameras from Fujifilm, it was time for this lens launched in 2012 to bow out.
This is done today, following the arrival of a new reference in the Fujifilm range: the XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR. A zoom kit that can be described as mid-range, less versatile than the trans-standard 18-80mm style, less good than the constant f/2.8 aperture zooms, but (theoretically) much superior to the small XF15-45mm all plastic that Fujifilm offers on its entry-level bodies.
Lightness above all
Weighing just 240g, the XF16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR is a very lightweight zoom lens. If the small entry-level XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ weighs even less (135 g), the other more premium kit optics were much heavier, whether it was the aging XF18-55mm (310 g) or XF16-80mm (440 g). This slimming treatment is not trivial, since the new XT-50 weighs only 450 g; the whole thing should be well balanced.
From the point of view of optical design, this featherweight zoom still has 11 lenses, including three aspherical and three low dispersion (ED), divided into nine groups. Point of optical stabilization, since Fujifilm’s hybrid bodies now all include sensor stabilization. Be careful if you plan to mount this zoom on an old, non-stabilized camera!
In terms of proxiphotography, we note a minimum focus in the wide angle position at 24 cm for a very respectable magnification coefficient of x0.3. From a physical standpoint, plan for 58mm filters if you want to play with ND filters and the like. And rejoice for its protection: its tropicalization is reinforced by the fact that it is an internal zoom without barrel extension.
If the optic only involves an additional cost of €400 between a bare X-T50 and an X-T50 kit, it is however more expensive to purchase alone. Launched from June 17, it will in fact be marketed at €799.