Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR - "National Lens" For Fujifilm X-E5 Has Officially Revealed

Following the huge success of the Fujifilm X100 VI , a rangefinder-style compact camera loved by photographers and general users, Fujifilm continues to expand its product line with a potential new option: the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR lens.

Designed specifically for the Fujifilm X-series, this lens not only provides a familiar focal length equivalent to 35mm (on a full-frame sensor), but also possesses an ultra-compact body and an ultra-lightweight weight of only 90g. This makes the XF 23mm F2.8 an ideal “companion” for mobile photographers who love street photography, travel or capturing everyday moments with great flexibility.

The successor to the legendary Fujifilm X100 VI

If the X100 VI is a symbol of minimalism and efficiency in camera design with a fixed lens, the appearance of the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR opens a new door for those who love the classic 35mm focal length but want the flexibility of a detachable lens system.

Pairing this lens with the newly released Fujifilm X-E5 camera makes for an extremely attractive combo, not only in terms of its minimalistic, retro design but also in terms of its high level of customization in photography. This can be considered a worthy alternative for those who cannot afford the X100 VI or simply want more control over different types of lenses.

1. Minimalist design, impressive optical quality

In the era of mobile photography, when users increasingly prioritize mobility and lightness without sacrificing image quality, the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR appears as a perfect solution. The compact and minimalist design of this lens not only meets the aesthetic requirements but also effectively serves the practical needs of many photography genres such as streetlife, travel, documentary and even daily life photography.

1.1. Light as air

The first highlight is the super light weight of only 90 grams, equivalent to a chocolate bar. Along with that, the length of only 2.3 cm makes this lens when mounted on the X-E5 body almost a neat unified unit, creating an extremely easy-to-carry camera set. This is a great advantage for photographers who love the freedom of movement, need to work quickly without being limited by bulky equipment.

Thanks to this super small size, you can completely put the camera in a jacket pocket or a small crossbody bag without feeling heavy, something that not all detachable lenses can do.

1.2. The “golden” perspective

With a focal length of 23mm on an APS-C sensor (equivalent to 35mm on full-frame), the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR covers one of the most highly regarded focal lengths in photography. This is an angle of view that closely resembles that of the human eye, not too wide to distort the image, nor too narrow to make the frame cramped.

In other words, 35mm is the ideal “storytelling” focal length, suitable for all situations from street landscapes, environmental portraits to documentary photography, capturing everyday life moments. This is the reason why this lens is expected to be a flexible and “expandable” alternative for those who love the experience on Fujifilm X100 VI but want the freedom to change lenses.

1.3. F/2.8 aperture balances performance and portability

Some may wonder why Fujifilm didn’t keep the aperture as large as f/2.0 (like on the X100 VI). The answer lies in the strategy of optimizing size and portability. By using an aperture of f/2.8, Fujifilm was able to significantly reduce the size of the lens body while still maintaining the ability to perform well in a variety of lighting conditions.

The f/2.8 aperture is slightly smaller than the f/2.0, but still large enough for low-light shooting and soft bokeh at close range. This is especially suitable for users who need a compact lens but don't want to sacrifice too much in terms of depth and subject separation.

2. High quality optical structure

Not only focusing on the external appearance, Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is also invested in by Fujifilm in terms of optical structure, to bring the best image performance in the compact lens segment.

2.1. 8 lenses in 6 groups

The lens features a design of 8 lenses in 6 groups, including 2 aspherical lenses. The presence of aspherical lenses plays an important role in:

Reduce chromatic aberration
Reduce distortion
Increased sharpness from center to edge of frame
Despite being a “tiny” lens, these optical elements show that Fujifilm is absolutely serious about maintaining professional image quality, even on the most minimalistic equipment.

2.2. Contrast and sharpness beyond expectations

Many early tester reviews show that the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is very sharp even at its widest aperture, with consistent contrast and faithful colors, which is very important for those who follow the “out of camera” style of photography (photos that are not heavily edited after shooting).

The lens also shows excellent synchronization with Fujifilm's film simulations, creating images that are rich in emotion, nostalgic but still sharp and modern, a feature that many photographers love about the Fujifilm system.

2.3. Experience “Fujifilm-standard” manual control

Fujifilm has long been known for its manual aperture rings, part of the “modern analog” experience of the X series. And the great thing is that the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR retains a physical aperture ring, despite its compact size.

In addition, the focus ring is designed to be smooth and highly responsive, allowing users to quickly and accurately adjust the manual adjustment when necessary, such as shooting in complex lighting environments or wanting to actively control the focus point.

This is a big plus for those who love to be proactive in photography, or simply look for the "mechanical" feeling like when using classic film cameras.

3. Soft bokeh, good close focus

A truly versatile lens is one that goes beyond sharpness to convey depth, emotion, and the ability to tell a story with light. The Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR, despite its more modest aperture than the f/1.4 or f/2.0 models, offers smooth bokeh and close-focusing capabilities, making it an incredible tool for situations that require subtlety.

3.1. 11-leaf diaphragm

The first notable point is that this lens is equipped with an 11-blade aperture diaphragm, which is quite impressive for a mid-range compact lens. Thanks to this design, the blurred background (bokeh) becomes rounder, softer and more natural, even when you don't open the aperture to the maximum like f/1.4.

When shooting close-up portraits, the subject easily stands out against the blurred background, helping to convey the emotion and depth of the photo. No more sharp edges or distracting bokeh effects, instead there is a smooth, pleasant field of view, providing a subtle visual experience.

This is especially useful in shooting genres like:

Close-up or bust portrait
Still life art
Mini product photography, or frames that require good subject separation

3.2. Close focusing distance of only 20cm

Another plus point that cannot be ignored is the ability to focus as close as 20cm, an extremely ideal number for those who love close-up photography but do not want to carry a specialized macro lens.

This distance allows you to get close to your subject, capturing small details with high clarity such as:

Colorful food
Miniatures or everyday items
Textures of fabrics, leaves, books, very popular subjects in lifestyle photography
The combination of a 23mm focal length and close focusing capabilities allows for impressive depth of field without the need for bulky equipment. This opens up a lot of creative space for modern photographers, from bloggers, food stylists to travel content creators.

4. Weather resistance

Despite its refined and compact appearance, the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR still possesses a durable “adventure” spirit thanks to its professional weather resistance. This is what makes this lens ideal not only for studio photographers but also for outdoor, travel or field photographers.

4.1. Dustproof, light water resistant

Fujifilm has equipped this lens with dust and water resistance, helping the device operate safely in less-than-ideal conditions such as:

Wet city in rainy season
Road dust on long trips
Environment with constantly changing temperature
This means you can work with peace of mind anywhere without worrying about your lens being damaged by moisture or small dust particles getting into the optical system. This is especially useful for photographers who travel a lot, or who work in environments where humidity and dust are not controlled.

4.2. Works well in temperatures down to -10°C

Not every lens is built to withstand extreme conditions, but the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR can. According to the specs, it can still perform reliably at temperatures as low as -10°, proving that Fujifilm has thought it through so that users can confidently take it anywhere, from cold mountain ranges to foggy early mornings.

Combined with the Fujifilm X-E5 body (which is also weather-resistant), this will be an ideal duo for adventurous photographers, always ready to capture moments wherever their journey takes them.

5. Pricing and kit options

A good product is not enough, a reasonable price is the deciding factor in whether this lens can be "popularized" or not. And Fujifilm has done that very well.

Retail price only 499.95 USD (~12.7 million VND)

At under $500, the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR offers high optical performance, a beautiful design, durability, and weather resistance. This is a very accessible price for both beginners and semi-professionals.

Combo with X-E5: 1,899 USD (~48.3 million VND)

Fujifilm also introduced the X-E5 + XF 23mm F2.8 combo, creating a retro-styled, compact and powerful mirrorless camera set that is competitively priced with high-end compact models. This is a worthy choice for those looking for a high-quality, flexible yet highly portable photography solution.

6. Who should buy the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR?

If you are looking for a lens:

Compact design, not heavy when carrying far away
Provides flexible viewing angles for everyday, travel, and street photography
Weather resistant, durable for use in a variety of environments
High image quality but still within an accessible price range
Then the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is the lens you're looking for.

This is not only a replacement for the X100 VI, but also a way for Fujifilm users to rediscover the power of the classic 35mm focal length, versatile and always suitable in any shooting context.

The Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is more than just a new lens, it’s a statement about mobile photography, minimalism and versatility. When paired with the Fujifilm X-E5, you have not only a “light as air” duo, but also a powerful tool for visual storytelling anywhere, in any condition.

With its affordable price, powerful performance, compact design and high durability, the Fujinon XF 23mm F2.8 R WR deserves to be called a “holy grail lens” not because it can do everything, but because it helps you focus on what really matters: emotions, moments and stories.