So I finally pulled the trigger on the X-T5 but man choosing glass is giving me a headache. Everyone says the old 18-55 kit is a classic but then I read reviews saying it cant actually handle the 40 megapixel sensor and looks muddy. Then I looked at the 16-80mm f4 for the extra reach but half the people on reddit say it's soft and a waste of money.
I'm traveling to Colorado for a wedding in July and need something versatile but I dont want to drop $900 on something that makes my new camera look like a toy. Its so annoying how conflicting everything is online. What is actually the best all-around zoom that wont let me down?
I totally agree with the point about the 40 megapixel sensor being a totally different beast. Ive been shooting with Fuji since the X-Pro1 days and honestly, the X-T5 is the first time I really felt like I had to audit my lens collection! It is a fantastic camera but it really exposes any weaknesses in older glass. Since you are headed to a wedding in Colorado, you definitely want something that can resolve that high resolution properly. If you want to actually see the detail you paid for, here are the three I would look at:
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR: This is the gold standard, period. It is incredibly sharp across the frame and handles that 40MP sensor better than anything else. It is a bit heavy, but the image quality is just amazing for a wedding setting and the colors are stunning.
- Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X: I love this little lens! It is way sharper than the Fuji 18-55 kit and it is half the size of the 16-55. If you are traveling and want to stay light while hiking in Colorado, this is basically the perfect middle ground.
- Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 PZ LM WR: A lot of people sleep on this one because it is marketed for video, but it is actually very sharp and the internal zoom is great for keeping dust out during travel. Seriously, skip the 16-80mm if you are worried about softness. Grab the 16-55 if you want the best possible results... you wont regret it.
Building on the earlier suggestion, the 40MP sensor really changes the math for choosing glass. If you want something that actually holds up to the X-T5 resolving power without looking soft, you gotta look at the glass specifically designed for high res. Ngl, those older kit lenses were fine for 26MP, but they struggle to resolve fine detail now.
- The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR is basically the gold standard here. It is tack sharp across the frame and handles that sensor like a champ. It doesn't have OIS, but since your X-T5 has IBIS, its not a huge deal. It is a bit of a brick though, so your wrist might feel it after a long wedding day.
- For a more compact option that still punches way above its weight, look at the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary. It is surprisingly sharp and way more affordable than Fuji red badge glass.
- If you need versatility for Colorado landscapes, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is probably the safest bet. You get a constant f/2.8 for the wedding ceremony and enough reach to grab mountain shots without swapping lenses constantly. The 16-80mm isnt exactly garbage, but you will definitely notice the corners getting mushy on a 40MP body if you start cropping. Since you are worried about reliability and making the gear look worth the money, sticking to f/2.8 zooms is your best bet for keeping things crisp. Good luck with the wedding shots, Colorado is gonna be beautiful in July.
This ^
Following this thread
Exactly what I was thinking
