Fujifilm XF 16537744 18-135mm
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
What Buyers Say
Fujifilm XF 16537744 18-135mm
The Fujinon XF 18-135mm lens is widely praised for its versatile focal range, sharp image quality, and lightweight design, making it an ideal everyday carry for travel and outdoor photography. Users appreciate the weather resistance and close focusing capabilities, though some note the zoom ring can be stiff and the lens is slightly heavy on smaller camera bodies. A few concerns about zoom smoothness and high-pitched noise are attributed to the weather sealing and complex internal mechanics, but overall sentiment is very positive.
Pros
- Versatile focal range (18-135mm)
- Sharp image quality
- Lightweight design
- Weather resistance
- Close focusing capability
Cons
- Stiff zoom ring
- Slightly heavy on small bodies
- No aperture ring
- Zoom smoothness concerns
- High-pitched noise when zooming
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
The Nikon 16-85mm VR is widely praised as an excellent all-around zoom for DX cameras, delivering sharp images across the focal range with effective VR. Users note it outperforms kit lenses like the 18-105mm and even rivals the pricier 17-55mm in sharpness, though it is heavy and somewhat slow (f/3.5-5.6). Build quality is solid with a metal barrel, and the 16mm wide end is a key advantage for landscapes. Some caution about vignetting with thick filters and barrel distortion at 16mm, but overall it is considered a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness across focal range
- Effective VR II image stabilization
- Solid build with metal barrel
- Useful 16-85mm zoom range
- Great for landscapes and travel
Cons
- Heavy weight (3.1 lb with D90)
- Slow aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
- Expensive for an f/3.5-5.6 lens
- Barrel distortion at 16mm
- Vignetting with thick filters at 16mm
Scores
Specifications
| Fujifilm XF 16537744 18-135mm | Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 16 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 16 | — |
| Groups | 12 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | HT-EBC Multi-Layer | Super Integrated Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Fujifilm X | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | — |
| Weight | 0.49 kg | 0.48 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | AF-S |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 5 stops★ | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 380 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.27x★ | — |
Pros & Cons
Fujifilm XF 16537744 18-135mm
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong optical (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
Nikon NIKKOR 2178 16-85mm
- Strong versatility (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 5 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 22 specs.