I went through this exact same struggle when I was prepping for my first trip to Seattle. I was so worried about my gear failing or getting ruined in the rain, so I spent ages looking for something reliable. If youre going to London, you really have to consider the weather. I wanted a lens that wouldnt die if it got a little damp. I ended up with the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR and it was a solid choice for a few reasons:

• Weather sealing is a lifesaver for peace of mind.
• The autofocus is basically silent and very fast.
• It feels more durable than a pancake lens. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR is thinner, but it can be a bit noisier and feels more delicate. Tbh, for a big trip, the 23mm just feels like the safer bet.

Late to the party but @Reply #3 - good point! Honestly though, I was super disappointed with the 27mm when I tried it out. I had issues with the autofocus hunting whenever the light dropped, which is basically half the time in London. Unfortunately, it just didnt feel as reliable as I needed for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I actually disagree with the pancake idea if youre worried about missing quick shots. I ended up getting the Fujifilm XF 35mm f2 R WR and while its a tiny bit longer, the peace of mind is huge. Its built way better and the AF is basically silent. If you’re starting out, having gear that just works every single time you press the shutter is way better than saving a few grams. Just be careful with the X-T30 in the rain since the body isnt sealed like the lens is!

Oh man, I feel this so much! I used to be so shy with my big lens and felt like everyone was staring at me. I finally got a tiny prime and honestly I love it! I think someone told me the pancake version has a noisier motor but im not 100% sure... I went with the f2 version instead and it has been amazing for quick shots! Definitely worth the money for your London trip!

Just saw this thread and wanted to chime in since I went through something similar last year. London weather is no joke and you really have to be careful about gear getting wet. Before I suggest anything tho, are you strictly looking for official glass or are you open to third-party brands? I used to use a really cheap plastic lens from a different brand because it was tiny, but I had a pretty bad experience compared to the build quality of my usual gear:

• The autofocus kept hunting in the gray London light
• I felt like I was gonna break it every time I bumped it in a crowd
• It didnt have any seals so I was terrified of every little drizzle Honestly, some of those off-brand lenses just dont feel as reliable as the stuff made by the camera manufacturer. I eventually switched because I needed something that felt more solid. Just be careful with those super cheap options because you might end up regretting it if it fails during your trip. I would suggest making sure whatever you pick feels sturdy enough for travel and can handle a bit of moisture.

To add to the point above: I actually had a bit of a different experience when I tried to go as small as possible for a trip to Chicago last year. While I was really satisfied with how discrete the setup looked, the physical handling was a bit of a struggle. My hands are kinda large and the tiniest lens I used felt almost too flush against the camera body... Since switching to a slightly more substantial prime, I havent had any complaints. It just feels more reliable in my hand and works well for my style.

• the focus speed was way more consistent during fast movement
• i felt more confident that it wouldnt slip through my fingers
• the balance felt better on the smaller body It was a good lesson for me because I thought smaller was always better for street work, but being comfortable with the gear matters way more for actually getting the shot. Plus, having a proper ring to grab makes a huge difference when things are moving fast.