Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 Review

I had trouble deciding whether to get the X-E1 with the 18-55mm f2.8-4 or the X-M1 with 16-50mm f3.5-5.6.

On one hand, I wanted the superb image quality of the 18-55 everyone is raving about. And on the other, I really like the wider lens on the 16-50. Also, I didn't like the idea of buying a "kit", especially the typical f3.5-5.6 type which every Tan, Din and Hari has. But the want for wider (and for the smaller X-M1) won.

I didn't expect much from this lens, but after using it, I know that Fujifilm puts serious thought into even their "cheapest" of lenses! It is better than any kit lens I've ever used, and even better at the same aperture as the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 lens. It is sharp through all my tests and there is no CA present. Bokeh is quite pleasant for a kit lens due to it's circular aperture. The lens is definitely better than the Tamron 10-24mm lens I had too. 

Since photos speak a thousand words, the rest of my review will be found in this photo walk I took to our local Planetarium in conduction with the launch of the movie Gravity! All photos just resized and are not edited unless specified.

The start of the walk. Entrance is free by the way. Taken with Velvia setting.

Stonehenge in KL??? Using multiple exposure feature, and contrast bumped up using Lightroom.

More replicas of ancient astronomical tools. Standard film simulation.

This one is from China. Standard film simulation.

Picnic area for the Flintstones. Taken with Black and White setting. 

Photo was realigned on Lightroom and some brightness/contrast adjustments done.

Sundial. No additional edits.

Look ma, space food. Says there, "Chicken Satay, 70g. Ready-to-eat. No heating required.". Yuck.

Whatcha looking at???

Menjadi Angkasawan... literally Becoming Angkasawan. Right.

This dude looks bored 

Power up the rockets! 

Faces of the first people in space. E.g. "#1 China in Space" and "#1 Korea in Space". Hahaha!
Multiple Exposure feature and contrast lifted in Lightroom.

A whole room dedicated to Neil Armstrong! Taken with built in flash tilted up.
Taken at 16mm f4.5.

School children having a field day.

WALL-E...
Taken with Advance settings -> Partial color (Blue)

Thing hanging down from WALL-E. Hmmm...
Taken with Advanced setting -> Miniature mode

The periodic table Wheel of Fortune! Can I buy a Vowelanium?
Shot at 16mm f3.5. Note the sharpness. Also distortion, though easily fixed on Lightroom. 

Free view birds eye view of KL. Just take a ride up the observatory.
Taken at 35mm f8 B&W mode.

Now at 16mm f8

Eye see you. Taken at 16mm f3.5.

Taken with Advanced mode -> Partial color. Guess what color?

Starship Enterprise? Taken with B&W mode.

 Summary: Best kit lens in the world.