Fujifilm X Telephoto Lens Guides

I know it’s been a while since I last wrote about camera gear. As the year draws to a close, I’ve decided to get back to writing with this full guide to the Fujifilm X telephoto lenses. If you haven’t already heard, we’ve made some big changes to the photography section of our blog over the last few months! We’ve added all the key features to help you choose the right lens for you! So now you’ll find the weight, dimensions, minimum focusing distance, lens construction and so on. In short, a gigantic task that took months of team effort!

Speaking of lenses, I suggest you take a look at our page on all X-mount lenses. It will give you a good overview of what’s out there. Back to this new article, I’m going to talk mainly about the longest focal lengths for X-mount, both Fujifilm and third-party. I’ll be talking about both zooms and prime lenses (over 100mm).

On this page, I won’t talk about focal lengths between 56mm and 90mm, which are generally better suited for close-up portraits. But I’m planning a separate article on that subject. What I’m talking about here are all the other telephoto lenses that are better suited to wildlife photography, sports photography and any other situation where you need to zoom in further than the classic standard kit zooms such as 16-80mm and 16-55mm. Here is also a comprehensive article on Fujifilm zoom lenses.

Below is a summary table to help you visualise and compare the main characteristics of all the lenses I’ve mentioned in this article! You’ll also be able to see the price (which is often an important factor), dimensions, weight (if that matters to you) and minimum focusing distance. And to go even further, you can even sort the lenses according to the specifications that are most important to you by clicking on the title of the column of your choice! In any case, I hope this table helps you make your choice.

This is the current list of zoom telephoto lenses for the X-mount. As you’d expect, these are mainly Fuji lenses, but there are also a few third-party brands (such as Tamron and Sigma) that have come up with some very nice alternatives to the Fuji zoom. Here’s a detailed list of all the lenses:

• Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR X
• Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS
• Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR
• Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LR OIS WR
• Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR
• Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD X
• Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary X

The Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 OIS WR, released in 2014 (that was a long time ago, yes!), remains a staple in Fujifilm’s range of lenses for APS-C mirrorless cameras. It’s a more professional telephoto zoom with a wide f/2.8 aperture. It’s the equivalent of a 70-200mm full-frame lens. Given its size and weight, it’s a compact and practical telephoto.

In terms of construction, this is a top of the range lens with an aluminium body, even though it is tropicalised. Optically, there are 23 lenses in 16 groups. 5 of these are ultra-low dispersion lenses and one is a Super ED. The zoom and focus rings offer excellent ergonomics. The lens is stabilised, has a triple linear motor for high quality autofocus and a 72mm filter.

In terms of performance, the sharpness of the lens is very good from center to edge over the entire focal length. As for optical flaws, chromatic aberration and distortion are virtually non-existent. Vignetting is visible at full aperture, but can be easily corrected in post-production. If you’re looking for a telephoto lens for portraits or shots where the subject is highlighted (close-ups of wildlife, for example), this Fuji’s bokeh is said to be excellent.

In conclusion, the Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 OIS WR offers excellent image quality and top-quality construction. You will need to stretch your budget to afford it, but I still think this is a good investment and the price seems pretty good.

We also mention this lens in our article on the best Fujifilm X APS-C lenses for portrait photography.

The Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS was released in 2015 to complete Fujifilm’s range of mirrorless cameras. This lens offers a versatile zoom lens that is the perfect companion to the Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4. Its focal length range is equivalent to 85-300mm in full frame, which is well suited to wildlife or sports photography in good light conditions. The dimensions are very reasonable, weighing in at just 580g.

In terms of design and construction, this telephoto lens has an attractive metal finish. The barrel is comfortable to hold and the metal bayonet ensures a secure grip. The lens has a wide, rigid zoom ring. Optically, there are 14 elements in 10 groups, including one aspherical lens and two ED elements (to minimise chromatic aberration). The maximum aperture of f/3.5 to f/4.8 is not very bright, but in good light it should be fine. Note the minimum focusing distance of 110 cm and a filter diameter of 62 mm. The lens is stabilised, but not tropicalised.

The optical performance of the XF 55-200mm is very good for a lens in this range. Sharpness is excellent, even at full aperture, and remains fairly even from the centre to the edges. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled. Distortion and vignetting are negligible and can be adjusted in post-production if necessary. Vignetting, on the other hand, is moderate and can be easily eliminated by simply closing the aperture. It should be noted that the lens is coated with SUPER EBC, which is essential for limiting flare and reflections.

All in all, this is a very good telephoto lens for a low price, with a decent maximum aperture and good optical performance. If you’re looking for a good telephoto lens without breaking the bank, the Fujinon XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS could be just what you’re looking for.

Introduced in January 2021, the Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a versatile lens with a full-frame equivalent focal length of approximately 110-460mm, perfect for wildlife, sports and even everyday travel photography. With more than adequate weight and dimensions, this telephoto lens is a very good, more compact and less expensive alternative to the 100-400mm.

In terms of construction, this telephoto lens has a rather plastic body, but it’s still sturdy and comfortable to hold! It is also water and dust resistant thanks to its waterproof seals. The lens has a non click-stop aperture ring, which could be a problem for videographers. The lens contains 17 elements in 12 groups, including one aspherical and two ED elements, ideal for limiting chromatic aberrations and distortion! The optical stabiliser is powerful and compatible with Fujifilm XF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, offering a range of up to 600mm.

In terms of performance, sharpness is excellent, especially in the middle of the frame at full aperture. It tends to fade towards the edges, especially at 300mm, but only slightly. By closing the aperture to f/7.1 or f/8, you can easily achieve a more even sharpness. Vignetting is well controlled at 70mm, but remains pronounced at 300mm (but can be corrected in post-production). Distortion is well controlled.

In conclusion, the Fujinon XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR is a versatile, high-performance telephoto lens that, in my opinion, offers the best value for money. Although its sliding aperture may limit its use in low light, it offers good stabilisation and more than decent image quality. For the price and weight difference with the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS, I prefer this 70-300mm, which also allows you to zoom in further.

Since its release in February 2016, the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR has established itself as the benchmark telephoto lens for this X-mount. With a full frame equivalent of 600mm, it’s ideal for sports and wildlife photography! In terms of size and weight, it is obviously heavier and more imposing than the 70-300mm, but this is still reasonable for its category.

The construction of this Fuji lens is very good, thanks to its metal and plastic body, although the designs of newer lenses are more elaborate and careful. It also has 13 gaskets. The lens is equipped with 21 elements in 14 groups, including 5 ED elements and 1 Super ED element, which is excellent for minimising chromatic aberrations. The lens has a fast and silent autofocus thanks to its two linear motors (LM). Finally, the optical image stabilisation (OIS) is rated at 5 stops, which is still good for long focal lengths.

In terms of optical performance, the Fujinon XF 100-400mm offers excellent centre-to-centre sharpness from full aperture. There is good uniformity throughout the focal length range, although at 400mm there is a slight loss of sharpness at the edges. As for vignetting, it is visible at full zoom but can be easily corrected in post-production. Reflections and flare are kept to a minimum thanks to the effective lens coating. Chromatic aberrations are practically non-existent. Overall, the bokeh is described as very good, rather creamy at close range and a little more nervous at longer distances.

All in all, the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is an excellent choice for the X-mount, even after the release of the newer XF 150-600mm, which costs a lot more and is even more impressive. For a price that will certainly break the €1,000 barrier, it remains a very good lens if you’re looking for a long focal length.

Introduced in January 2023, the Fujinon XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR is the longest telephoto lens in the X-mount range, with an equivalent focal length of 900mm on a full frame body. Its focal length can even be extended to 1,350mm equivalent with the 1.4x teleconverter and 1,828mm equivalent with the 2x teleconverter. This telephoto lens complements the XF 100-400mm, offering a modern design with internal zoom for improved ergonomics and a much longer focal length.

The lens (tropicalised) has a magnesium alloy barrel, 19 seals and a fluorine coating on the front element. There are 24 elements in 17 groups, including 3 ED elements and 4 Super ED elements to minimise chromatic aberrations. The lens also features a click-stop aperture ring, a reactive zoom ring and a focus preset system. The lens is equipped with a fast and silent autofocus. Finally, optical stabilisation is claimed to be 5 stops.

In terms of optical performance, the Fujinon XF 150-600mm offers very consistent image quality, even at full aperture. Sharpness in the centre is excellent at f/5.6, but the edges are a little less sharp. As for vignetting, it is present but hardly noticeable and can be easily corrected if necessary. Chromatic aberrations are practically non-existent and distortion is perfectly controlled.

In short, the Fujinon XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR is an excellent choice for any wildlife or sports photographer looking for a modern telephoto lens with a very long focal length. Feedback on this model has been excellent, even though it remains Fuji’s most expensive zoom.

Fujifilm has only recently opened up its mount, so very few third party manufacturers offer very long focal length lenses (zoom or fixed focal length). As I said at the beginning of this article, only Tamron and Sigma offer good alternatives to Fuji.

The Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD for Fujifilm X is a good first alternative to Fuji telephoto lenses (especially the Fujinon XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 and XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8). I even bought it as a Sony FE mount for my Sony A7 III, and I can tell you that I’m really pleased with it! This lens was originally designed for Sony full-frame cameras only. It offers a focal length equivalent of 225-750mm in full frame, making it an excellent choice for wildlife and sports photography. In terms of weight (1,710g) and dimensions, it sits between the two Fuji tele-zooms. What’s more, its price remains relatively affordable.

The build construction of this Tamron is of good quality, with the use of composite materials and a magnesium alloy body. It is equipped with 25 lenses in 16 groups, including 5 LD lenses and 1 XLD lens to reduce chromatic aberrations as much as possible. As for the optical image stabiliser (OIS), there are three different modes: classic stabilisation, panning mode and framing priority mode. Autofocus is quiet and fast thanks to a VXD linear motor. The minimum focusing distance varies depending on the focal length: 0.6m at 150mm and 1.8m at 500mm, giving a good 0.32x magnification ratio. I often use it to capture details of flora in the forest, for example.

In terms of performance, the Tamron 150-500mm does very well against the Fuji! At 150mm, sharpness is good in the centre and fades slightly towards the edges. The lens should be stopped down a little to get the best image quality. At 500mm, there is a slight drop in contrast and sharpness, especially at the edges, but this is still perfectly acceptable. Vignetting and distortion are practically non-existent. Flare is also well controlled thanks to the BBAR-G2 coatings. In addition to all these elements, the bokeh is soft and allows you to isolate your subjects in any environment. When light is scarce, however, you’ll need to turn up the ISO a little!

In conclusion, this lens is an excellent alternative to the Fuji, even if it is a little less sharp. However, it’s still a lot cheaper than the Fuji 150-600mm. In my opinion, it’s of very good quality and is perfect for wildlife, sports and even long distance landscape photography. It’s still excellent value for money, as is often the case with Tamron lenses.

Introduced in 2023, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary is positioned as a more affordable and portable alternative to other X-mount telephoto lenses. Its focal length is equivalent to a full-frame 150-600mm. Its weight and length make it the lightest and most compact telephoto lens in its category. Priced under €1,000, it is a strong competitor to the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm (in particular) and the Tamron 150-500mm, while offering solid performance.

The construction of the Sigma 100-400 mm is quite neat. The lens is equipped with an external zoom with a smooth mechanism. There are a number of buttons, including a focus range limiter, two optical stabilisation (OS) modes and an AF-L button for locking the autofocus. The optics comprise 22 elements in 16 groups, with a maximum aperture of f/5 to f/6.3 and a minimum focusing distance of 1.12 m, giving a magnification of 0.24x. The lens is also tropicalised.

In terms of performance, the Sigma boasts excellent sharpness, even on 40 MP sensors such as the Fujifilm X-H2. At its shortest focal length (100/200mm), this telephoto zoom rivals the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm. It should be noted, however, that the Fujifilm offers better image quality overall at 400mm. But the Sigma more than makes up for this with its more accurate autofocus. The Sigma’s bokeh is very satisfactory, even if it remains a little more nervous than the Fujifilm’s. As for optical flaws, they are perfectly controlled: vignetting is almost non-existent, chromatic aberrations are minimal and pincushion distortion remains low.

Finally, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a long focal length, good autofocus and sharpness, all at a more affordable price than the Fuji. It’s also an excellent alternative to the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR (albeit a little more expensive), while offering the ability to zoom in further.

If you’d like to know more about Sigma’s X-mount lenses, check out our article on the subject.

For smaller budgets

Beginners looking for affordable, lightweight lenses should look at Fujifilm’s XC range. In general, they offer a compact design and good image quality for the price. These are clearly good lenses if you want to take your first steps into photography without breaking the bank.

The Fujifilm XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II is an affordable telephoto lens for the Fujifilm X-mount. It offers a long focal length equivalent to 75-355mm in full frame. Compact and lightweight, it weighs just 375g and is only 111mm long. With a price tag of around €400, it’s the most affordable option if you want to try a longer focal length.

Unsurprisingly, it’s made entirely of plastic. Although you may find the grip less than ideal, the advantage is its lightness. Note that, unlike the XF models, there is no aperture ring. Once in use, the zoom doubles in size, but this does not affect the fluidity of the mechanism. The lens is stabilised (OIS), which compensates well for the limited apertures (f/4.5 to f/6.7). The lens is made up of 10 elements in 7 groups, with an EBC anti-reflective coating that effectively reduces flare. The minimum focusing distance is 1.10m, giving a maximum magnification of 0.2x.

In terms of optical performance, the sharpness is decent for this price range. At 100mm and 200mm, the centre of the image is acceptably sharp, but the edges are much less so, especially at full aperture. At 230mm, the quality deteriorates: sharpness is less precise and contrasts are less pronounced. In terms of optical flaws, vignetting is minimal, chromatic aberrations are well managed and pincushion distortion remains low.

In short, the Fujifilm XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II is clearly an affordable lens for beginners or those on a budget. Although its optical performance is not as good as that of the XF range, it is still a good option to take with you on a trip, for example.

Apart from the shorter focal lengths such as 85mm and 90mm (there is a very good 90mm macro lens for the X-mount – see our Macro article), there are currently only two prime telephoto lenses for the X-mount. These two telephoto lenses come at a very high price and are intended for wealthy amateurs, professionals or even you, if you want to treat yourself and can afford it!

As usual, here’s a summary table showing all the lens characteristics.

Here are the two lenses in detail:

• Fujifilm XF 200mm f/2 OIS WR
• Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR

Released in December 2018, the Fujinon XF 200mm f/2 R LM OIS WR is Fujifilm’s first X-mount telephoto lens with a fixed focal length. With a full-frame equivalent focal length of 305mm and a wide f/2 aperture, it’s perfect for wildlife, sports and even long-distance portraits. Weighing in at just 2,265g, the body is made from a solid magnesium alloy. Despite its weight, it remains ergonomic and well thought-out, with a classic aperture ring, focus range selector and all the necessary AF buttons. Stabilisation is up to 5 stops.

The optical quality of this telephoto lens is exceptional. Sharpness is excellent from f/2, chromatic aberrations are perfectly controlled and bokeh is soft and creamy. To go one step further, even with the 1.4x converter, the performance is really up to scratch. Autofocus is fast, quiet and accurate, ideal for capturing moving subjects. The price may be high, but it’s still justified.

The Fujinon XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR is the longest prime lens in the Fujifilm X lineup. With a full-frame equivalent focal length of 760mm, it features 21 elements in 12 groups, including 2 ED lenses and 5 Super ED lenses. Its rugged, tropicalised design with 20 waterproof seals makes it the perfect ally for shooting in the harshest conditions. Weighing just 1,335g, it is very attractive and light for a 500mm lens. The lens is stabilised (5.5 stops) and its autofocus is said to be very fast.

The lens is also compatible with Fuji’s teleconverters, giving an equivalent of 1,520mm (f/11). The optical performance of the Fujinon XF 500mm is remarkable. Sharpness is excellent at the centre from f/5.6, with excellent uniformity all the way to the edges. Optical aberrations are perfectly controlled, with virtually no chromatic aberrations, very minimal vignetting and hardly any visible flare. Bokeh is smooth and harmonious thanks to the 9-blade circular aperture. In short, the Fujinon XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR is aimed primarily at professionals or those seeking exceptional image quality. This telephoto lens offers impressive optical performance. Admittedly, the price isn’t cheap, but if you’re a professional photographer or enjoy sports and wildlife photography, you’ll be delighted!

As you’d expect, choosing a telephoto lens for your Fujifilm camera depends on a number of factors, not least your budget. There is no universal answer to the question “Which X telephoto lens should I choose?”, but here are some recommendations to guide you:

• First of all, I’m going to exclude the two prime lens, 200mm and 500mm, because they’re out of budget for 99.9% of users. What’s more, they’re far too specific and are primarily aimed at wealthy enthusiasts or professionals specialising in sports or wildlife photography.
• There are several options when it comes to zoom lenses. If your budget is comfortable, I recommend the Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR or the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (an excellent choice, which I own in E-mount). For a medium budget, I think the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR is the best option, offering a good compromise between quality, focal length and price.
• Finally, for those on a tighter budget who want to try their hand at long focal lengths, I would recommend the Fujifilm XC 50-230mm f/4.5-6.7 OIS II.
• For users looking for a versatile lens that can also take portraits and, thanks to its large aperture, isolate subjects perfectly, the Fujifilm XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR is ideal. The large aperture of f/2.8 allows for excellent background blur while maintaining excellent image quality.

That’s the end of my guide to Fujifilm X telephoto lenses. I hope it helps you make your choice! Once again, don’t hesitate to use the tables to rank the lenses according to the features that are most important to you. And don’t hesitate to give me feedback in the comments!

If you’d like to know more about the Fujifilm X mount, I suggest you read our article on the best Fuji X wide-angle lenses.

See you soon!

Written by Sylvain PONS

I've been passionate about photography since 2010, learning as I went along. Today, I dedicate myself to guiding others in their choice of camera gear and sharing a variety of tips to improve their photography skills.

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