In my experience, the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS is basically the best budget move. I tried the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR but it felt way too bulky for street shooting. You can snag the 18-55 used for like $300. Technically, it might lose some edge resolving power on the 40MP sensor, but the linear motor is snappy. Lesson learned: keep it light and cheap for travel!! gl

For your situation, Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS is the better value. its lighter for street but Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR has more reach if u dont mind bulk.

Honestly, if youre looking for the absolute best performance on that 40MP sensor without the massive weight of the red badge zoom, you gotta look at the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X. It is amazing how much sharper it is than the Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS! The Sigma is way more compact for street photography and the constant f/2.8 aperture is a total game changer compared to the f/4 on the Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR. While the 16-80mm has fantastic range, it really struggles to resolve the fine details that the X-T5 is capable of. The Sigma just feels like it was built for these higher megapixel counts and it only costs around $500 new. Plus, the close-focusing capability is fantastic for detail shots while traveling. TL;DR: Skip the Fuji kit zooms and grab the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary. Its sharper, faster, and lighter for that high-res sensor.

^ This. Also, totally agree on the Sigma suggestion! It is a beast for the price and the f/2.8 is lovely. But jumping in here with another option... if you really want to maximize that 40MP sensor while keeping things weather-sealed for travel, you gotta check out the new kit lens Fuji designed specifically for the X-T5.

• Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR is honestly fantastic. It is way sharper than the old 18-55 and 16-80 across the frame, which is huge for those high-res files.
• The internal zoom is such a win for street photography since the barrel doesnt extend. Keeps you low profile!
• Its super lightweight, so it balances perfectly on the X-T5 body without feeling front-heavy. Its roughly $699 brand new. Definitely look at that one before making a final call! Youll love the extra width at 16mm too, ngl. Feel free to ask if you want more details on the AF speed or anything else!

^ This. Also, you really should check out the official list Fujifilm put out regarding which lenses are actually optimized for that high-res sensor. Not every X-mount lens can handle the pixel density of the X-T5 without looking a bit mushy. Personally, I have been very satisfied with the Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR for my professional work. It is a bit of a brick, but the resolving power is undeniable. If you want to see the actual math behind it, I recommend looking up technical reviews on sites like Dustin Abbott or Optical Limits. They do a great job explaining how diffraction kicks in earlier on 40MP compared to the older 26MP bodies. If weight is a major concern, the newer Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM WR is definitely the smartest move for compatibility. Its been designed from the ground up to match the X-Trans 5 sensor architecture. No complaints here, it works well and keeps the kit manageable for long travel days.

Yep, this is the way

Yo, I've been shooting Fuji for years but unfortunately, I was kinda disappointed with my latest daily driver. It wasn't as good as expected on the 40MP sensor and looked REALLY soft in the corners. I ended up going back to the one I got first cuz it just performs better overall. Lesson learned: more range isn't always better for high-res sensors, I think? gl!

For your situation, picking the right glass for that 40MP sensor is actually pretty tricky because it highkeys every little flaw, so I totally get the struggle. Honestly, it basically depends on your specific environment. Before I suggest which one to grab, I gotta ask a couple things because gear safety is huge when youre traveling. Are you planning on shooting in messy weather or dusty spots? One of the zooms you're looking at has weather sealing which is basically a life-saver for protecting your sensor from the elements, but it's definitely more of a tank to carry. Also, how much do you actually crop your street photos? If youre a heavy cropper, youre gonna notice soft corners way more on those older optics. Basically, it comes down to whether you prioritize that rugged reliability or just want something tiny and light. Lmk!

^ This. Also, you gotta be careful because that 40MP sensor is really unforgiving. I remember when I first upgraded my kit, I actually started DIYing my own lens calibrations because I was so frustrated with the lack of sharpness. It turned out most of my older glass just wasnt built for that level of detail and I wasted weeks trying to fix something that was just a hardware limitation.

• Make sure to check your lens mount for any play. I sometimes have to shim my own gear with tiny bits of foil just to get things perfectly aligned for high-res shooting.
• You might want to consider sticking with the newer prime lenses from Fuji. They are much more capable of resolving all those megapixels without getting soft in the corners.
• Be careful about weight distribution. I actually built my own custom grip extension for the body because some of the better lenses make the setup feel front-heavy during long street sessions. Just go with Fuji, you cant go wrong as long as you stay with the newer professional releases... been shooting them for a decade and the latest stuff is on another level.