I feel that the Fujifilm X-S10 and X-S20 marked a bit of a change for Fujifilm. With these cameras it moved away from its classic retro camera design and chose instead a more mainstream control layout designed to appeal to a broader market. They also brought in-body stabilization, a compact, ergonomic design and, with the X-S20 in particular, advanced video features.
These two cameras are amongst the best Fujfilm cameras and two of the best cameras for travel. They are also amongst the best cameras for vlogging, and the powerful video features in the Fujifilm X-S20 put it right up there amongst the best cameras for filmmakers.
But what are the best lenses to get for the Fujifilm X-S10 and X-S20? I’ve kept in mind these cameras’ affordable price points, so I’ve kept my list to realistically-priced mid-range lenses that still pack a punch. I’ve kept in mind that these cameras are well suited to traveling light, and we’ve chosen lenses accordingly. I’ve also included a couple of old-school pocket-sized prime lenses, of the type that Fujifilm does so well, and these can be especially effective for filmmakers and gimbal users – so I’m not forgetting video shooters, either.
Best lenses for the Fujifilm X-S10 and X-S20
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Best extended zoom for Fujifilm X-S10/X-S20
With a 5x zoom range (equivalent to 24-120mm), this offers a fantastic middle ground between the compact kit zooms and the heavy professional glass. It’s light enough at 440g to stay on a camera like an X-S10 or X-S20 all day, and the constant f/4 aperture made manual exposure and video shooting much more straightforward across the entire range.
The build quality is exceptional, featuring a metal barrel and a perfectly weighted aperture ring that I think every lens should emulate. I was particularly impressed by the optical stabilization, which delivered incredibly steady shots even at slow shutter speeds. While it isn't a dedicated macro lens, the 35cm minimum focus distance allowed me to capture some surprisingly tight detail shots.
I did notice a discrepancy between our lab tests and real-world performance. In the lab, the lens appeared softer at the telephoto end and at close ranges, but in my outdoor testing at normal distances, the images were consistently crisp and sharp. Thanks to built-in corrections, I saw no distracting distortion or color fringing. While f/4 is a stop slower than the pro-grade f/2.8 zoom, the combination of stabilization, weight, and reach makes this my top choice for a general-purpose walkaround lens for cameras like the X-S10 or X-S20.
See our full Fujifilm XF 16-80mmF4 R OIS WR review
Features ★★★★★ | Great features include a 5x zoom range, aperture ring and optical stabilization. |
Design ★★★★★ | Build quality feels rock-solid and handling is really nice. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Center-sharpness drops off at long zoom settings and edge-sharpness could be better all the way through. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s pretty good value for a 5x zoom lens with a constant f/4 aperture and exotic handling. |
Best wide-angle zoom for Fujifilm X-S10/X-S20
This ultra-wide zoom is a highly versatile tool for squeezing tall buildings and narrow streets into a single frame. With an effective focal length of 15-36mm, I found it hits the ultra-wide range perfectly while remaining portable enough for everyday use. As its zoom is fully internal, the barrel doesn't change length, making it stable and well-balanced on compact X-S10 and X-S20 bodies.
The build quality and handling are absolutely top-drawer. I was thrilled to see the addition of weather sealing and a dedicated aperture ring with firm click-stops, making it a much better match for Fujifilm’s external exposure controls. Autofocus is fast, quiet, and smooth, which is a major benefit for both architecture stills and interior video. Another huge plus is the flat front element, which allowed me to use regular 72mm filters without needing a bulky specialized holder.
While the center sharpness is excellent at 10mm, I found the edges grew noticeably softer when I zoomed in toward 24mm. Additionally, chromatic aberration became visible at the longer end of the zoom range in lab tests. However, at the widest setting – which is where I spend most of my time with a lens like this – the performance is impressive. It’s a little expensive for an f/4 lens, but the combination of weather sealing and refined handling makes it very nice to use.
See our full Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR review
Features ★★★★★ | Up-market features include an aperture control ring and optical image stabilization. |
Design ★★★★★ | Build quality feels very solid and handling is a delight. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | It’s good overall but sharpness drops off towards the long end of the zoom range. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s a pricey lens to buy for an ultra-wide-angle APS-C format zoom. |
Best telephoto zoom for Fujifilm X-S10/X-S20
This lens shatters the stereotype that 70-300mm zooms are just 'budget' lenses. I found it to be a high-end enthusiast optic that blends incredible reach with surprising portability. Weighing only 580g, it felt light and manageable during a full day of shooting, though it did feel a bit front-heavy when paired with a smaller body like the X-S10 and X-S20. For wildlife and sports, I found the 107-457mm equivalent range to be exceptionally versatile.
The image quality truly impressed me. Unlike many zooms that go soft at the long end, I found this lens maintained excellent center sharpness and contrast even at 300mm. At its minimum focus distance, it offers a 1:2 magnification ratio, making it a fantastic tool for capturing detailed nature shots. I also appreciated the 'WR' weather-sealing, which gave me the confidence to keep shooting in the elements.
I did experience occasional autofocus hunting in challenging conditions, but the Linear Motor (LM) is generally quick and whisper-quiet. While the variable f/4-5.6 aperture is a limitation in low light, the superb 5.5-stop OIS system allowed me to get sharp handheld shots at surprisingly slow speeds. Most importantly, I loved that it is fully compatible with Fujifilm’s teleconverters – a rare feature for this type of lens – giving it the potential to reach an incredible 914mm equivalent.
See our full Fujifilm XF 70-300mm F4-5.6 R LM OIS WR review
Features ★★★★★ | This lens has an ‘effective’ zoom range of 107-457mm, an aperture ring, fast autofocus and optical image stabilization. |
Design ★★★★★ | The design is much more compact and lightweight than a typical 100-400mm full-frame super-telephoto zoom, and features extensive weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | Sharpness is impressive throughout the zoom range but drops off a bit towards the extreme edges and corners of the frame. |
Value ★★★★☆ | Considering the long effective zoom range that really covers the distance, it’s a good buy for the money. |
Best wide prime for Fujifilm X-S10/X-S20
This 16mm prime balanced portability with professional build quality. Providing a 24mm-equivalent field of view, it is the perfect wide-angle 'storyteller' for street photography and landscapes. It weighs a mere 155g, and when I paired it with smaller X-series bodies, such as the Fujifilm X-S10 and X-S20, the setup felt incredibly discreet and balanced.
The 'R WR' designation isn't just for show; I found the metal construction and tactile aperture ring felt much more premium than its price suggests. The 10-element, 8-group design delivers impressive center sharpness right from f/2.8. While I noticed some slight resolution fall-off in the extreme corners, the overall images delivered are punchy and vibrant.
Thanks to the internal stepping motor, I found autofocus to be whisper-quiet and virtually instantaneous, which is a huge benefit for both quick street candids and video work. While the f/2.8 aperture isn’t the fastest for extreme low light, the compact size and reliable weather resistance make this gem of a lens an essential wide-angle for any Fujifilm user's kit.
Read our full Fujifilm XF 16mm f/2.8 R WR review
Features ★★★★☆ | This lens's maximum aperture of f/2.8 is on the low side, but its physical aperture ring and weather sealed construction are major plus points. |
Design ★★★★★ | The XF16mm F2.8's key attribute is its size. It's compact enough for any travel setup and balances well on any X-mount body. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | The optical performance is generally very good, but definition does fall away at the edges somewhat, and this is very noticeable on Fujifilm's newer 40MP cameras. |
Value ★★★★☆ | This is not an expensive lens, and yet the finish and the controls are first rate. The specs might be modest, but it's great value. |
Best street lens for Fujifilm X-S10/X-S20
Providing a 35mm-equivalent field of view, this lens hits that ideal sweet spot for capturing life around town. I found its compact, 180g design to be a massive benefit for shooting unobtrusively; it makes my camera feel far less intimidating to subjects than a bulky zoom would.
The build quality is truly excellent. I loved the tactile feel of the metal barrel and the manual aperture ring, which clicks at one-third stop intervals. In my experience, the autofocus is remarkably snappy and whisper-quiet. Despite its small size, I was impressed by the inclusion of a full set of weather seals.
I found the image quality to be very pleasing, with impressive sharpness and contrast. While the f/2 aperture is a bit more modest than some faster primes, the trade-off for such a lightweight and weather-resistant build is well worth it. There is no optical stabilizer, but the fast autofocus and sharp center performance more than make up for it for general shooting.
See our full Fujifilm XF 23mm F/2R WR review
Features ★★★★★ | The equivalent 35mm focal length is a favorite and the lens sports an aperture control ring but no optical stabilizer. |
Design ★★★★☆ | Build quality feels very solid, despite the compact and lightweight build, and includes weather-seals. |
Performance ★★★★★ | This lens is impressively sharp across the whole image frame, even wide-open at f/2. |
Value ★★★★☆ | It’s naturally not as ‘fast’ as the XF 23mm f/1.4 but is very good value at the price. |
Best travel prime for Fujifilm X-S10/X-S20
Weighing just 90g and measuring less than an inch thick, this lens makes even a mid-sized mirrorless body feel like a pocketable compact. It gives that classic 35mm-equivalent field of view – perfect for street and travel – while barely feeling heavier than a body cap.
I was particularly impressed by the build quality. Despite its size, I found the aperture ring clicks to be solid and satisfying. The addition of weather sealing gave me the confidence to keep shooting street candids in the rain. One standout feature is the 20cm close-focusing distance; I found it significantly better than the 27mm pancake, allowing for much more creative detail shots.
I did notice that the autofocus can occasionally hunt when working against strong backlighting, and the f/2.8 aperture isn't a low-light champion. However, for a daytime walkabout lens, the center sharpness is excellent wide open. If you’re looking for a 'stealth' setup, this is an outstanding choice.
Read more: Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR review
Features ★★★★★ | The lens packs a weather-resistant build, a dedicated aperture ring with an 'A' lock, and an impressive close-focusing distance into a body less than an inch long. |
Design ★★★★★ | Its ultra-compact pancake profile and lightweight 90g construction effectively transform a mirrorless body into a pocketable compact camera while maintaining a premium retro aesthetic. |
Performance ★★★★☆ | While it delivers excellent center sharpness and lovely color rendition, it suffers from occasional autofocus misses and lacks the wide-aperture bite found in larger prime alternatives. |
Value ★★★★☆ | At roughly half the price of the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, it offers an affordable and liberating travel solution, but the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR is a stop faster and a little cheaper, if a fair bit chunkier. |
Lab data and comparisons
The graphs below show the comparative performance of the lenses in this guide that we were able to test in our lab. There’s not a great amount of variance in terms of sharpness, but the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR prime lens draws slightly ahead of the others. Averaged out over the zoom range, the zoom lenses score well for overall distortion, and automatic in-camera correction is available anyway, as it is for color fringing.
Scores for sharpness and color fringing are averaged from data taken across the entire image frame, from the center to the edges and corners, throughout the aperture range. For zoom lenses, the scores are also averaged from data measured at all marked focal lengths, and the same applies to distortion. Bear in mind that these average values don't fully reflect specific areas of performance. For example, a zoom lens might have noticeable barrel and pincushion distortion at its shortest and longest focal lengths, respectively, which tends to average out when looking at the data overall. For more detailed graphs of each lens's performance, which give the full picture, check out the graphs in our full standalone lens reviews.
How we test lenses
The lens experts in our testing lab run a range of tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.
We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the centre of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths.
There's more to it than just the technical side, though! Beyond the lab, our reviewers test lenses in real-world environments – and sometimes on professional shoots! We work with lenses both indoors and outdoors, in studio conditions and in natural light, with as many different subjects as is possible (or appropriate – there's no point testing a landscape lens' ability to shoot a portrait!).
We take into account everything from handling and ease of use to speed of autofocus and the overall quality of the images produced.
Find out more about how we test and review on Digital Camera World
