Fuji XF 18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR lens review

A super interesting new zoom lens from Fuji, seemingly specially designed for video work.

Find it here (Amazon affiliate link - I earn a commission on purchases. Be sure to buy the right lens for your system):

All pictures taken by me on a Fuji X-T3 camera.

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Music:
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[_trismegistus]

0:26 ....except you do get exposure changes when you zoom. It's mild in this case, but you can see what looks like maybe an ISO adjustment, or some aperture control issue, happening multiple times.

[bardofhighrenown]

It's really weird to me that a power zoom lens, which I assume is mostly targeted at video users, doesn't also have image stabilization.

[NJM]

Thanks for this excellent review. As I will upgrading from my X-T3 to the X-T5 with the 40mp sensor, I was looking closely at this lens to replace my 16-80mm which is not on Fuji's list of lenses that will fully resolve the new sensor. However, as an out and out stills photographer, I am thinking that this is not the lens for me...thanks to your review. It definitely looks like a videocentric lens. Have you had chance to compare this to the 16-80mm as I am now considering hanging on to mine until they release a more stills friendly similar lens

[mickaeldelcanto]

Thank you ! I was looking for a zoom for photography, I was hesitating between this one and the tamron 17-70mm and now thanks to you I know this new 18-120mm isn't the best choice for me.

[zupperm]

Hey did you do the zoom pulls in the beginning with full manual exposure because there’s still some minor exposure changes?

[Princeton_James]

Thanks for the honest review. Not for me as a photographer. I thought this would be good for travel but I think the image quality on the 16-80 is better. For wildlife super zoom I'll go with the 70-300.

[regulation-comment-leaver]

will you be reviewing the laowa 12-24mm f/5.6

[gregorythomashugel]

Fuji does have an 8k shooter out, oddly enough.

[svetlanagrobman]

Thank u for the review! I'm trying to get a middle-range lens for shooting landscape. It's this lens better than 16-80?

[camerondavis]

This looks like the perfect church service streaming lens! Way cheeper than a broadcast lens with AF and power zoom. On a tripod, the lack of IS is not an issue at all. Definitely grabbing this one.

[big_potate]

Reminds of the Full frame Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6. It's not a constant aperture lens, but bear in mind that f4.0 on an APSC lens is equivalent to f6 on full frame, so you could set the tamron to f5.6 and it would be faster than the fuji in equivalent terms. The Tamron isn't a powerzoom either, but whether that's a pro or con depends on the user. Tamron is pretty comparable sharpness wise for most of the zoom range as far as I could see in this video, but it's way sharper at the long end. And finally the tamron is a bit less expensive at 729usd. For someone looking to buy into a camera system for a walkaround photo camera and lens, I know which one I'd recommend.

[eddiespectral]

When Fuji release the same lens with OIS, I'll buy it

[pixelgermane]

I have the 18-120 brand new, but something rattles when I shake it. Question to the professional: Is there a lens loose (because OIS has's not)? Should I send the lens back to Amazon within the deadline? - Thanks for your help!

[erlieflorbernardo]

Hi! I just bought the lens. Im not a professional. I just wanted it for the zoom range for my upcoming travel. I just noticed that something wiggles inside whenever I move it upside down. Is this ok? I tried using it and it works out fine though. Thank you.

[Jones]

watching this makes me hope sony re-do their pretty good 18-105 f4 power zoom lens

[remektekmedia]

Great review. I was interested in this lens, but no more. It doesn't look like it's par-focal, and the exposure was jumping during zooming. Add to that the lack of an iris ring, which for video should be stepless and going to all black, and no IOS, not to mention the subpar resolution. Clearly aimed at the novice video shooter and not something that I would now consider. :(

[ngonzale]

Such an impressive lens, but, the fact that it has no Optical Image Stabilization seems like a bit of a mistake. . One's hands- even with an IBIS camera will always have some movement when the rocker is used. Still, I'd like to try it.

[ahmadp]

That distortion correction isnt good for video, and there is no way to turn it off 👎🏻

[GoProGnome]

Let's be fair to our Olympus friends - the 12-100 f/4 beats out this Fuji with a constant aperture 24-200 equivalent zoom range.

[indago]

The line about "No 8k cameras for Fuji cameras yet" didnt age well :)))