Fujifilm Fujinon XF 16-80 mm f/4 R OIS WR
4. Image resolution
Let's remind here that the best fixed focal length Fujifilm X lenses tested that way are able to reach as high as 80 lpmm and the decency level is set near 44-45 lpmm. The resolution record, set on the Fujifilm X-T2 sensor belongs to the Fujinon XF 50 mm f/2 R WR and it amounts to about 83 lpmm.
Let's check how the Fujinon XF 16-80 mm f/4 R OIS WR compares – the graph below presents its results at 16, 30, 50, and 80 mm in the frame centre.
Please Support UsIf you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free. |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The tested lens reaches its best results at the shortest focal length where, already from the maximum relative aperture, you deal with really high resolution level, that of 70 lpmm. These values increase to 72 lpmm on stopping down the aperture to f/5.6. It would be difficult to criticize such a performance in any way but you have to mention the fact that the cheap, kit Fujinon 15-45 mm at 15 mm could get to 77-79 lpmm.
The more expensive Fujinon shows its advantage over the cheaper 15-45 mm device already at 30 mm where its results are by several lpmm higher. Such a performance is still very good and quite beyond reproach.
Some problems appear when it comes to the longer focal lengths as their resolution results lag behind from these you see in the 16-30 mm range. They are still good, no doubt about it, exceeding the decency level even at the maximum relative aperture. Additionally the 16-80 mm model at 50 mm really knocks out the cheaper Fujinon 15-45 mm at 45 mm. Still the tested lens shouldn't be compared to cheap kit instruments but the best lenses in the class and it must be said in their cases quite often the differences between particular focal lengths are smaller. For example the distinctly cheaper Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM already by f/5.6 and for all focal lengths showed the same results within the limits of measurment error. The Canon EF-S 15-85 mm f/3.5-5/6 IS USM by the same aperture had a bigger dispersion between particular focal lengths but the differences were less pronounced than in the case of the Fujinon.
In the frame centre the Fujinon wasn't as good as some of its direct rivals so maybe a duel on the edge of the sensor will be more favourable for the tested lens? Let's check it out.
This time the middle of the focal range seems to look the best, anyway it would be difficult to have any reservations concerning the results. The 16 mm focal length lags behind a bit but even in its case the images remain still of decent quality. The 80 mm focal length is quite another matter and here our reservations are numerous – the resolution values are simply weak in that place and you can't talk about a sensible image quality even on stopping down the aperture.
Once again, such a slip-up wasn't witnessed either in the case of the Sigma or in the case of the Canon test. The Sigma performed a bit below par at 17 mm but stopping down allowed to return to results of sensible quality. The Canon didn't have any weaknesses at all. To be honest the results of the Fujinon remain us strongly the performance of the Nikkor AF-S DX 16-80 mm f/2.8-4E ED VR - its maximum focal length also was very weak on the edge of the frame and definitely weaker than other focal lengths in the frame centre.
After the test of the Nikkor AF-S DX 16–80 mm f/2.8–4E ED VR our feelings were mixed and such are our impressions after the resolution test of the Fujinon XF 16-80 mm f/4 R OIS WR. Our expectations were rather high, especially if you take into account the price of the tested lens; small wonder now we feel a tad disappointed.
At the end of this part of our test, traditionally, we present crops taken from photos of our resolution testing chart which were saved in the JPEG format along with RAW files, used for the analysis above.
| Fujifilm X-T2, JPEG, 16 mm, f/5.6 |
 |
| Fujifilm X-T2, JPEG,80 mm, f/4.0 |
 |
