Fujinon 23mm Lens Comparison: f/1.4 vs f/2 vs f/2.8 — Sharpness Test & Real-World Results

Cris Estalayo
Sep 22
2 min read

When it comes to Fujifilm’s 23mm prime lenses, photographers are spoiled for choice. But which Fujinon 23mm is the sharpest? I tested all three—Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4, XF 23mm f/2, and XF 23mm f/2.8—using a 40-megapixel Fujifilm X-T50 and a detailed test chart to find out.

This in-depth review focuses purely on image sharpness, vignette control, and real-world usability, so you can choose the best Fuji 23mm for your needs.

Test Setup

Camera: Fujifilm X-T50 (40MP APS-C)
Method: Tripod-mounted test chart for consistent framing
Goal: Compare edge-to-edge sharpness and vignette performance at every aperture

Each lens was shot from wide open through f/16 so I could evaluate center and corner sharpness as well as contrast and chromatic aberrations.

Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4: The All-Rounder

The Fujinon 23mm f/1.4 surprised me with its slightly tighter field of view compared to the other two lenses, almost like a mild crop.

Vignette: Noticeable at f/1.4, disappears by f/4.
Sharpness: Excellent even wide open; sweet spot is f/4–f/5.6.
Drawback: Loses a bit of sharpness beyond f/8 due to diffraction.

Verdict: A stellar all-around prime. If you need low-light capability or creamy bokeh and don’t mind a larger size or higher price, the f/1.4 is worth every penny.

Fujinon XF 23mm f/2: Fast but Soft

The Fujinon 23mm f/2 is compact and focuses quickly, but its image quality is disappointing.

Edge Sharpness: Soft at f/2, f/2.8, and even f/4.
Best Performance: Only reasonably sharp at f/5.6, and even then it never matches the f/1.4 or f/2.8.
Chromatic Aberrations: Noticeable in high-contrast areas.

Verdict: The only reasons to choose the f/2 are budget constraints or the need for silent autofocus. Purely for image quality, it’s the weakest of the three.

Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8: The Hidden Gem

The newest lens, the Fujinon 23mm f/2.8, turned out to be the biggest surprise.

Sharpness: Impressively sharp from wide open at f/2.8, almost matching its best performance at f/5.6.
Vignette: Slight at f/2.8, minimal by f/4.
Diffraction: Softens noticeably beyond f/8.

Verdict: If you don’t need the wide aperture of the f/1.4, this is the best price-to-quality ratio lens: compact, lightweight, and razor-sharp.

Which Fujinon 23mm Should You Buy?

Need light and bokeh? → f/1.4
Need tiny and quiet? → f/2
Best price-to-performance? → f/2.8

For street photography, travel, or everyday use, the f/2.8 is my top recommendation if you can live without an ultra-wide aperture.

Final Thoughts

After extensive testing, the Fujinon XF 23mm f/1.4 remains a pro-level choice for those who need maximum light and creamy background blur.The f/2.8, however, delivers the best sharpness-to-cost ratio and surprised me with its consistency and portability.The f/2 simply can’t keep up optically unless you absolutely need the smallest, quietest lens on a budget.

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