What's the difference between the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR and XF 35mm F2 R WR?

The XF 23mm F2 R WR leads on closer 0.22 m focusing. The XF 35mm F2 R WR leads on a lighter 170 g body, a more compact 45.9 mm barrel, higher 0.14× magnification.

Which is smaller, the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR or XF 35mm F2 R WR?

The XF 35mm F2 R WR is the smaller, lighter lens at 170 g and 45.9 mm long, versus 180 g for the XF 23mm F2 R WR.

Which is faster, the Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR or XF 35mm F2 R WR?

Both open to f/2, so they gather the same light and give the same depth-of-field control.

Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR vs XF 35mm F2 R WR: full comparison

The XF 35mm F2 R WR leads on more of the measurable specs, but the XF 23mm F2 R WR counters on closer 0.22 m focusing.

Read the full XF 23mm F2 R WR review →Read the full XF 35mm F2 R WR review →

The short version

The Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR and Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 R WR are two XF primes at different focal lengths — the XF 23mm F2 R WR (35mm equivalent) and the XF 35mm F2 R WR (53mm equivalent). The XF 23mm F2 R WR is the newer design, from 2016.

On the spec sheet the XF 23mm F2 R WR pulls ahead with closer 0.22 m focusing.

The XF 35mm F2 R WR answers with a lighter 170 g body, a more compact 45.9 mm barrel, and higher 0.14× magnification.

So which one? Start with the focal length you actually want to shoot: the 35mm-equivalent XF 23mm F2 R WR or the 53mm-equivalent XF 35mm F2 R WR. Once that's settled, XF 35mm F2 R WR has the edge on the specs above.

Where the XF 23mm F2 R WR wins

+closer 0.22 m focusing

Where the XF 35mm F2 R WR wins

+a lighter 170 g body
+a more compact 45.9 mm barrel
+higher 0.14× magnification

Who should buy the XF 23mm F2 R WR or XF 35mm F2 R WR?

Buy the XF 23mm F2 R WR if…

Pick the XF 23mm F2 R WR if closer 0.22 m focusing matters to you. Anyone who wants one dependable, fast-focusing 35 mm-equivalent prime for daylight and general-purpose work, and does not need f/1.4 for close portraits. Read the full XF 23mm F2 R WR review for the details.

Buy the XF 35mm F2 R WR if…

Pick the XF 35mm F2 R WR if a lighter 170 g body and a more compact 45.9 mm barrel matter to you. Photographers who want one sharp, reliable, weather-sealed 53 mm-equivalent standard prime and value consistency over a distinctive rendering. Read the full XF 35mm F2 R WR review for the details.

XF 23mm F2 R WR vs XF 35mm F2 R WR: pros and cons

Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR	Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 R WR
One of the best-value primes Fujifilm sells — Fujicron pricing, metal build. Fast, quiet, confident AF — the quickest-focusing of the small 23 mm options. Colour rendering owners rate the nicest of the f/2 trio. Weather sealed with an aperture ring; 43 mm filters shared with the 35/50 F2. Crisp across the frame once stopped down to f/2.8.	One of the sharpest lenses Fujifilm makes — and sharp from wide open. Fast, near-silent autofocus on modern bodies; quick enough for moving subjects. Weather sealed and 170 g — the prime owners trust in bad conditions. Fujicron value; pairs with the 23mm F2 for a cheap two-prime kit.
Soft wide open within ~1 m — the close-portrait weakness that sends owners to the F1.4. One stop slower than the XF 23mm F1.4 R LM WR, with older-generation AF. No optical image stabilization. A full barrel, not a pancake — the 27mm F2.8 is far smaller.	Rendering that a vocal group finds "clinical" — the reason some keep the F1.4. AF slows noticeably on older phase-detect bodies (X-Pro2, X-T1). Mild focus breathing and softer corners wide open. The tapered barrel shape is nobody's favourite.

Pros and cons mirror the in-house XF 23mm F2 R WR review and XF 35mm F2 R WR review.

XF 23mm F2 R WR vs XF 35mm F2 R WR: full specs

Spec	XF 23mm F2 R WR 23 mm · f/2 · 180 g	XF 35mm F2 R WR 35 mm · f/2 · 170 g
Optical
Focal length	23 mm	35 mm
35mm equivalent	35 mm	53 mm
Maximum aperture	f/2	f/2
Minimum aperture	f/16	f/16
Optical construction	10 elements in 6 groups	9 elements in 6 groups
Special elements	2 aspherical elements	2 aspherical elements
Aperture blades	9	9
Focus & Stabilization
Min. focus distance	0.22 m	0.35 m
Max. magnification	0.13×	0.14×
Autofocus motor	Stepping motor	Stepping motor
Optical stabilization	No	No
Physical
Filter thread	43 mm	43 mm
Diameter × length	60 × 51.9 mm	60 × 45.9 mm
Weight	180 g	170 g
Weather sealing	Yes	Yes
Min. operating temp	-10 °C	-10 °C
General
Announced	2016-08-25	2015-10-21

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 R WR review and the Fujifilm XF 35mm F2 R WR review. Each carries the full spec breakdown, pros and cons, and where the lens sits in the XF lineup.