Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR vs XF 27mm F2.8 R WR: full comparison

The XF 23mm F2.8 R WR leads on more of the measurable specs, but the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR counters on a lighter 84 g body.

The short version

The Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR and Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR are two XF primes at different focal lengths — the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR (35mm equivalent) and the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR (41mm equivalent). The XF 23mm F2.8 R WR is the newer design, from 2025.

On the spec sheet the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR pulls ahead with closer 0.20 m focusing, higher 0.15× magnification, and an 11-blade diaphragm.

The XF 27mm F2.8 R WR answers with a lighter 84 g body.

So which one? Start with the focal length you actually want to shoot: the 35mm-equivalent XF 23mm F2.8 R WR or the 41mm-equivalent XF 27mm F2.8 R WR. Once that's settled, XF 23mm F2.8 R WR has the edge on the specs above.

Where the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR wins

  • +closer 0.20 m focusing
  • +higher 0.15× magnification
  • +an 11-blade diaphragm

Where the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR wins

  • +a lighter 84 g body

Who should buy the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR or XF 27mm F2.8 R WR?

Buy the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR if…

Pick the XF 23mm F2.8 R WR if closer 0.20 m focusing and higher 0.15× magnification matter to you. Photographers who shoot mostly in daylight at a 35 mm-equivalent field of view and want the smallest possible native X-mount combination. Read the full XF 23mm F2.8 R WR review for the details.

Buy the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR if…

Pick the XF 27mm F2.8 R WR if a lighter 84 g body matters to you. Photographers for whom size is the deciding feature — the lightest Fuji kit, a jacket-pocket travel setup, or a discreet street camera that behaves like an X100. Read the full XF 27mm F2.8 R WR review for the details.

XF 23mm F2.8 R WR vs XF 27mm F2.8 R WR: pros and cons

Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WRFujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR
  • 90 g and 23 mm long — true pancake dimensions on every X body.
  • Aperture ring, focus ring, and weather resistance at this size are unusual.
  • 0.20 m close focus and 0.15× magnification beat the older XF 27mm F2.8 pancake.
  • 11-blade rounded diaphragm keeps highlights relatively round stopped down.
  • Designed to resolve for Fujifilm's 40.2 MP X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor.
  • Smallest autofocus lens Fujifilm makes — 84 g, turns a small body into an X100-sized rig.
  • Very sharp with rich colour and strong micro-contrast; excellent SOOC JPEGs.
  • R WR update adds weather sealing and an aperture ring over the 2013 original.
  • Beats the cheaper TTArtisan 27mm on corners, vignetting, and build.
  • f/2.8 is one stop slower than the XF 23mm F2 R WR.
  • No optical image stabilization — leans on the body's IBIS when present.
  • DC motor AF is not marketed as a linear-motor design.
  • Pancake rings are small and close together; not ideal with gloves.
  • Hood adds bulk and slightly reduces the pancake character.
  • Autofocus is slow-ish and audible — the focus noise carries into in-camera video audio.
  • f/2.8 is a stop slower than the Fujicron primes; 0.34 m minimum focus is the longest of them.
  • 41 mm-equivalent is a divisive "no man's land" — optically fine, stylistically flat for some.
  • Roughly 2.5× the price of the TTArtisan 27mm for a modest optical edge.

Pros and cons mirror the in-house XF 23mm F2.8 R WR review and XF 27mm F2.8 R WR review.

XF 23mm F2.8 R WR vs XF 27mm F2.8 R WR: full specs

SpecXF 23mm F2.8 R WR
23 mm · f/2.8 · 90 g
XF 27mm F2.8 R WR
27 mm · f/2.8 · 84 g
Optical
Focal length23 mm27 mm
35mm equivalent35 mm41 mm
Maximum aperturef/2.8f/2.8
Minimum aperturef/16f/16
Optical construction8 elements in 6 groups7 elements in 5 groups
Special elements2 aspherical elements1 aspherical element
Aperture blades117
Focus & Stabilization
Min. focus distance0.20 m0.34 m
Max. magnification0.15×0.1×
Autofocus motorDC motorDC coreless motor
Optical stabilizationNoNo
Physical
Filter thread39 mm39 mm
Diameter × length61.8 × 23 mm61.2 × 23 mm
Weight90 g84 g
Weather sealingYesYes
Min. operating temp-10 °C-10 °C
General
Announced2025-06-122021-01-27

Highlighted cells are best in class between these two. Specs sourced from public Fujifilm product pages.

In-depth reviews

For the full long-form review of each lens, see the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.8 R WR review and the Fujifilm XF 27mm F2.8 R WR review. Each carries the full spec breakdown, pros and cons, and where the lens sits in the XF lineup.