If you’ve just picked up the new Fujifilm X-E5, you’ll know that its retro styling and high resolution deserve equally capable lenses. The beauty of Fujifilm’s X-mount system is the sheer variety on offer: from compact primes that match the X-E5’s discreet, street-friendly form factor, to versatile zooms that unlock its potential for travel, landscapes, portraits, and more.
In this guide, I’ve rounded up the best lenses to pair with the X-E5, balancing image quality, portability, and value for money. I’ll highlight fast primes for low-light shooting, sharp zooms for all-round versatility, and specialist options for macro or ultra-wide work.
No matter if you’re a beginner eager to explore creative possibilities or a seasoned shooter refining your kit, this buying guide will help you find the perfect lens to get the most from Fujifilm’s latest compact powerhouse.
Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World and the person in charge of approving all the latest camera-related tech – including the Fujifilm X-E5. And he knows exactly what lenses he'd pair with Fuji's compact rangefinder.
Best lenses for the Fujifilm X-E5
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Best travel lens for the Fujifilm X-E5
You've likely seen the X-E5 bundled with this lens, and it's a bundle you should absolutely go for. The XF 23mm f/2 R WR is the standout companion for the Fujifilm X-E5, striking an excellent balance between portability and performance. Offering a 35mm-equivalent field of view, it’s the classic choice for street, reportage, and everyday photography.
At just 180g, this lens complements the X-E5’s compact body perfectly, making it a discreet, pocketable pairing that won’t weigh you down during long days or travel. The f/2.8 aperture is bright enough for low-light conditions and some subject separation for environmental portraits. Autofocus is quick, quiet, and reliable, which makes it a strong performer for both stills but also some video.
While it doesn’t deliver the ultimate sharpness or creamy bokeh of the pricier XF 23mm f/1.4, this f/2.8 version offers excellent value and a more balanced match for the X-E5’s form factor. For shooters who want a fast, sharp, and discreet lens that looks perfect on the X-E5, this is my top pick.
Best standard zoom for the Fujifilm X-E5
The Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 R LM, launched alongside the X-T50, might be the best first-party zoom for the X-E5. But, I’d argue that the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary makes for a much more compelling alternative. You lose a touch of width at the wide end, but gain a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture across the zoom range – a big advantage for low-light shooting and consistent exposure.
The Sigma also scores highly on portability. It’s impressively compact and lightweight, making it an ideal partner for the X-E5’s small, rangefinder-style body. Despite its modest size, the lens feels well-built, with smooth handling that encourages everyday use. The only real omission is the lack of a dedicated aperture ring.
If you want a versatile, travel-friendly zoom that won’t break the bank but still delivers excellent sharpness and speed, the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 deserves serious consideration.
Read our full Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary review
Best fast prime for Fujifilm X-E5
For X-E5 owners who want a fast, high-quality standard prime, the XF 33mm f/1.4 R WR is one of the best lenses in Fujifilm’s lineup. Delivering a 50mm equivalent field of view, it’s the classic “normal” focal length – natural, versatile, and ideal for everything from portraits and street shooting to everyday documentary work.
The standout feature here is, of course, the f/1.4 maximum aperture. It allows for superb low-light performance and beautifully shallow depth of field, giving your images a professional look with smooth background blur. Autofocus is quick, quiet, and precise thanks to a modern linear motor, making it equally reliable for stills and video.
Build quality is excellent, with full weather-sealing and a robust metal construction that matches the premium positioning. The tactile aperture ring is a nice touch, especially for photographers who enjoy Fujifilm’s traditional controls. While the 33mm is larger and heavier than Fujifilm’s smaller f/2 primes, the extra speed and sharpness make it worth the added bulk for those who want the very best image quality.
Read our full Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR review
Best lens for macro and close up photography
For many photographers, a dedicated macro lens is just as essential as a wide-angle or telephoto zoom. Being able to focus much closer than usual opens up whole new creative possibilities, making it perfect for capturing insects, flowers, and other fine natural details. The Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro is a great option for X-E5 users, offering a 45mm equivalent focal length. The lens also adds Fujifilm’s solid build quality, weather resistance, and smooth linear motor autofocus.
This does mean you’ll be working closer to your subject than with longer macro lenses like the 60mm or 90mm, but that’s not necessarily a drawback – and the trade-off is an impressively compact and lightweight design that pairs beautifully with the X-E5.
Beyond close-up work, the XF 30mm f/2.8 doubles up nicely as a versatile everyday lens. Its “standard” field of view makes it a handy walkaround choice for general photography, while the f/2.8 maximum aperture still delivers good low-light performance and subject separation, even if it’s not as fast as an f/2 or f/1.4 prime.
Read our Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro review
Best lens for video
The X-E5 might not be the best camera for video, but if you want to shoot some clips, then the Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ is still well worth considering as an affordable add-on. While it does feel lightweight and plasticky – in line with its entry-level pricing – it delivers more than you might expect in terms of features and performance.
One of its standout qualities is the unusually wide 22.5-67.5mm equivalent zoom range, giving you extra flexibility at the wide end for landscapes, interiors, and travel shots. The built-in optical stabilization is another big plus, making handheld shooting more reliable in lower light.
The power zoom design, which uses an electronic rather than mechanical zoom control, can take some getting used to for stills photography, but it shines when shooting video, offering smooth and consistent zooming that’s difficult to achieve manually. As for image quality, while corner sharpness leaves something to be desired, central sharpness is impressively strong for a lens in this class.
Read our full Fujifilm XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ review
Best wide angle lens for the X-E5
It usually doesn’t take long before you find yourself wanting something wider than the standard zoom or kit lens can deliver. Fujifilm’s own XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR is an excellent option, but it’s also relatively large, heavy, and pricey. For X-E5 users looking for a more compact and affordable alternative, the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is a fantastic choice.
This lens trades a bit of range compared to the Fujifilm 10-24mm, meaning there’s slightly less overlap with your standard zoom. The payoff, however, is a remarkably small and lightweight design that balances beautifully with the X-E5. Add in the constant f/2.8 aperture, and you’ve got a super-wide zoom that’s not only easier to carry, but also more versatile for low-light shooting and creative depth-of-field control.
While it lacks a physical aperture ring, the X-E5’s compact form factor pairs so well with this lens that those omissions are easy to forgive. Optically, it performs superbly, delivering sharp, clean images across the frame.
Read our full Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary review
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