I have both as well, my thoughts after a lot of use with them over the years is that the 18-55mm is sharper in the corners at and around 18mm, a tiny bit sharper in the center around 23-35mm too, it's 1 stop faster, it's lighter and more compact, and has better auto focus in video. While the 18-135mm is sharper in the corners at 55mm, has notably better colour saturation and contrast (at least on my copies which I bought new) and has better ergonomics. Oh and if anyone shoots infrared, fuji has also somehow managed to make the 18-135 work flawlessly without a hotspot throughout it's entire aperture range, whereas the the 18-55 has a Hotspot that is present at all apertures, and it's particularly bad if stopping down. But none of what I said so far matters, because the 18-135 zoom range is as close to perfection for a crop sensor as you will ever likely to find. If you always have this lens with you it will save your ass more than anything else made by fuji, or anyone else for that matter.Usually superzooms are awful, you trade so much in optical quality, for convience, but it ends up being an inconvenience, with soft, flat, desaturated images. The fact fuji managed to make a suoerzoom lens that is so good throughout it's entire range makes it pretty unique. It really just makes this the ultimate second lens/backup lens to take with you anywhere you go. Plus corner sharpness is an overrated quality for a lens if you ask me. Im shooting on x-trans1, 2 and 4 sensors. If you have the X-H2, maybe the corner sharpness won't cut it for the higher res, but for me it's fine.
An interesting comparison. I have the 16-55 and now the 18-135 and weighing up the pros and cons. While the 16-55mm results are stunning I find I don’t want to take it out as much because it cost so much and I treat it like a New born baby. So I have an expanses lens I don’t take out ? The 18-135 produces decent enough images for most people and like you said the stabilisation is great
Definitely. I found that sometimes I can see it isn't the sharpest of the Fuji lineup, but I think really for me the versatility of the lens makes it such a great one to have on the end of the camera. In the end, it's about having lenses that make you want to get out and shoot, and for me this guy definitely does it. I found with other lenses, like the 10-24 for example, that it is so specialized in my mind for landscapes, that it is tough to use it in the day-to-day walk around photography setting. The 18-135 is perfect here, and I am able to take anyway some nice shots with it. Most recent keeper is here --> 500px.com/photo/1006273887/The-Path-by-Eric-James-McDermott?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=1002905252 Thanks for your comment!
ericinthewild I hope to see more photos and videos from you. I had a look on 500 pix but to be honest. I rarely use flickr or 500 pix any more. Although they’re great platform to show work in higher definition. I’m on Instagram under Alan Cains. I’ll come and look for you also
True! But check out the used market :). Also, you can see two of my other videos if you are interested in less expensive zooms: 1) Tamron SP 500mm F8 Mirror Lens 2) Contex Zeiss 100-300mm
The 18-135 doesn't get much love and the lens is quite underrated. It's my most used lens by far due to its versatility. Pictures are quite sharpt, but it remains a superzoom and is built on some compromises. If I compare shots at 100mm with the 100-400mm (also on 100mm obviously) the latter is clearly sharper.
Totally, I agree. I think you undoubtedly will have some compromises with the 18-135, especially if you want to compare it to the huge and expensive 100-400. I think overall though, it is a great lens and a great versatile lens suited best for travel and vacations, in my opinion. Thanks for watching!
I had the 18-135 and sold it. It was softer across the 18-55 range and I didn’t have a lot of use for the extra reach. The 18-135 is also noticeably heavier
Yes, the 18-55 does have the size and weight advantage. But then again, the 18-135 has weather sealing. I guess there will always be some copy-to-copy variation. I'm glad you found the one that worked for you in the end!
Eric, I currently own both the Fuji 16-55 2.8 and the 50-140 2.8 lenses, but as I start to shift to primes, I'm hoping to just have one single zoom lens to cover this range. However, IQ is important to me. I shoot mostly candid shots of people at indoor and outdoor events. Did you ever manage to do a comparison between 16-55 and the 18-135? I'd be curious to hear how you feel the IQ compares in the focal ranges where there's overlap. Is the extra weight and more limited focal range worth it with the 16-55?
Hey there, honestly, it is always personal preference about the balance between IQ vs the ease of taking photos. I did not do a direct comparison with the lenses you mentioned, but I did do one with the XF 10-24mm. On that video you could find at least the 18mm and 24mm comparisons with the 18-135mm. All that said, if you are mostly taking photos of people, my choice would be the 18-135mm paired with a good prime portrait lens.
@@ericinthewild, yeah it certainly is a balance. So hard to have it all in one lens! I'll likely replace at least my 50-140mm 2.8 with the 18-135mm because I find it a bit impractical at times b/c it's so large and is limited to the longer focal lengths. I may hang onto the 16-55 for a bit but eventually drop that one too. Thank you!
I use the XF 18-135mm and it isn't the sharpest lens in the Fujinon lineup, but I kept it anyway. For the most part, it is a very nice super zoom lens. I like the versatility of the zoom range, the OIS is amazing and I also enjoy just having one lens with me when I'm making pictures outside. That being said, when compared with other Fujinon lenses you'll see how soft the XF 18-135mm is, especially on the 26mpx sensors and when checking the images on a 4K monitor. I do understand that it is not easy to manufacture a perfect super zoom lens and I took that into consideration when buying the XF -18-135mm. If stopped down to f/9-f/11 and if kept between like 30mm and 100mm it can be sharp, especially in the middle of the images, but you can still tell it's not ideal. I call it the ''XF 18-135mm look''. It is however much sharper and faster focusing than the other super zoom lens for the Fuji X mount, the Tamron 18-300 mm. But that's besides the point, I like the XF 18-135mm, but it's not for those who seek pixel sharp images on modern Fujifilm cameras. Even my very cheap XC 15-45mm lens, that came with my camera, does much better job with pixel sharp images from corner to corner at any focal lenght.
In fully manual mode, no autofocus, does the 18-135mm stay focused while zooming? I want a zoom lens for video. If I focus at a subject at 135mm and slowly zoom out to 24mm will the subject still stay in focus?
Hey, ok please tell me one more thing that is fuji xt 30has really great colors in jpeg as compared to sony a6400 . Is the difference is just a lil bit or is the difference is really big . Coz if the doff is big then i will buy fuji else i am going for sony . Pl suggest
Hi Tushar, I haven't really worked with the XT30 or the a6400, so it is tough for me to say! I'd suggest going into a camera store and trying them both and seeing what feels better for you.
It is a great one! As I mentioned to you on the other video, I just picked up the 16-55 2.8 and will do a comparison between it and the 18-135 soon, so stay tuned ;)
Hi. I wanted to record indoor videos . Yoga and fitness. Pl suggest me which one has more sharper and more best bookeh effect ? 18-55 or 18-135 for fuji xt30 camera ?
Hi Tushar - go with the 18-55 for best bokeh. If you are indoor, you also won't really need the 55-135 part of the lens. With that all said, you could actually opt to get the 16-55 for a bit more money, and have an even wider angle and better bokeh. And with THAT said, if you do not need the zoom, look into the prime lenses! This means you will have a fixed viewing angle, but the lens also has a lower f-stop, for example the 18/2 or 16/2.8 can be found at a relatively good price.
How about comparing them at f3.5? Or f22? Or even comparing the 18-55's f2.8 quality against the 18-135's f3.5? 'Real world' shouldn't mean comparing them where they're comfortable at f5.6 and f8.0. Everyone can understand one is bigger and heavier but has extra reach...
I have both as well, my thoughts after a lot of use with them over the years is that the 18-55mm is sharper in the corners at and around 18mm, a tiny bit sharper in the center around 23-35mm too, it's 1 stop faster, it's lighter and more compact, and has better auto focus in video. While the 18-135mm is sharper in the corners at 55mm, has notably better colour saturation and contrast (at least on my copies which I bought new) and has better ergonomics. Oh and if anyone shoots infrared, fuji has also somehow managed to make the 18-135 work flawlessly without a hotspot throughout it's entire aperture range, whereas the the 18-55 has a Hotspot that is present at all apertures, and it's particularly bad if stopping down. But none of what I said so far matters, because the 18-135 zoom range is as close to perfection for a crop sensor as you will ever likely to find. If you always have this lens with you it will save your ass more than anything else made by fuji, or anyone else for that matter.Usually superzooms are awful, you trade so much in optical quality, for convience, but it ends up being an inconvenience, with soft, flat, desaturated images. The fact fuji managed to make a suoerzoom lens that is so good throughout it's entire range makes it pretty unique. It really just makes this the ultimate second lens/backup lens to take with you anywhere you go.
Plus corner sharpness is an overrated quality for a lens if you ask me. Im shooting on x-trans1, 2 and 4 sensors. If you have the X-H2, maybe the corner sharpness won't cut it for the higher res, but for me it's fine.
what did you shoot the first 30seconds on?
Hmm, I think this was a GoPro 4! Ha!
Thanks for your excellent review. This is exactly the question I was asking myself and you gave me the answer.
Hi Louis, thank you for the kind words. I am glad that the review helped you in your decision! All the best.
Just looking at the first 2 photos I can see that the 18-135mm adds a little more contrast and saturation.
Great review, Eric. I have the 18-135 and love it. It is on my camera 90% of the time.
It is a versatile lens!
An interesting comparison. I have the 16-55 and now the 18-135 and weighing up the pros and cons. While the 16-55mm results are stunning I find I don’t want to take it out as much because it cost so much and I treat it like a New born baby. So I have an expanses lens I don’t take out ? The 18-135 produces decent enough images for most people and like you said the stabilisation is great
Definitely. I found that sometimes I can see it isn't the sharpest of the Fuji lineup, but I think really for me the versatility of the lens makes it such a great one to have on the end of the camera. In the end, it's about having lenses that make you want to get out and shoot, and for me this guy definitely does it. I found with other lenses, like the 10-24 for example, that it is so specialized in my mind for landscapes, that it is tough to use it in the day-to-day walk around photography setting. The 18-135 is perfect here, and I am able to take anyway some nice shots with it. Most recent keeper is here --> 500px.com/photo/1006273887/The-Path-by-Eric-James-McDermott?ctx_page=1&from=user&user_id=1002905252
Thanks for your comment!
ericinthewild I hope to see more photos and videos from you. I had a look on 500 pix but to be honest. I rarely use flickr or 500 pix any more. Although they’re great platform to show work in higher definition. I’m on Instagram under Alan Cains. I’ll come and look for you also
How does the 16-55 compare?
i dont see compromises here, got my xf18-135 for a first spin today. i think i like it! thank you!
Many thanks for showing images side by side!!! By far the most helpful Fuji review I've seen on UA-cam
Hey John! Thank you! I am glad that you found the video helpful.
@@ericinthewild Hi Eric, after watching this I got the 18-135. I agree, it is all round the better lens. Definitely sharper. Many thanks for the tip!
very useful review
Thanks Dee Em!
18-135 have better color
The 18-135mm looks a little sharper to me.
if only it wasn't so damn expensive. really, crazy prise for a dark superzoom, even used.
True! But check out the used market :).
Also, you can see two of my other videos if you are interested in less expensive zooms:
1) Tamron SP 500mm F8 Mirror Lens
2) Contex Zeiss 100-300mm
The 18-135 doesn't get much love and the lens is quite underrated. It's my most used lens by far due to its versatility. Pictures are quite sharpt, but it remains a superzoom and is built on some compromises. If I compare shots at 100mm with the 100-400mm (also on 100mm obviously) the latter is clearly sharper.
Totally, I agree. I think you undoubtedly will have some compromises with the 18-135, especially if you want to compare it to the huge and expensive 100-400. I think overall though, it is a great lens and a great versatile lens suited best for travel and vacations, in my opinion. Thanks for watching!
I had the 18-135 and sold it. It was softer across the 18-55 range and I didn’t have a lot of use for the extra reach. The 18-135 is also noticeably heavier
Yes, the 18-55 does have the size and weight advantage. But then again, the 18-135 has weather sealing. I guess there will always be some copy-to-copy variation. I'm glad you found the one that worked for you in the end!
How much it will cost if I want to buy Fujifilm XT-4 with 18-135 lens ?
Depends where you are! Used or not, etc...
I have the 18-135 and love it👍👌
It's a keeper!
This desrves more up-votes. Excellent review
Stan! Thank you so much. That means a lot. Glad I could help in some way.
Eric, I currently own both the Fuji 16-55 2.8 and the 50-140 2.8 lenses, but as I start to shift to primes, I'm hoping to just have one single zoom lens to cover this range. However, IQ is important to me. I shoot mostly candid shots of people at indoor and outdoor events. Did you ever manage to do a comparison between 16-55 and the 18-135? I'd be curious to hear how you feel the IQ compares in the focal ranges where there's overlap. Is the extra weight and more limited focal range worth it with the 16-55?
Hey there, honestly, it is always personal preference about the balance between IQ vs the ease of taking photos. I did not do a direct comparison with the lenses you mentioned, but I did do one with the XF 10-24mm. On that video you could find at least the 18mm and 24mm comparisons with the 18-135mm. All that said, if you are mostly taking photos of people, my choice would be the 18-135mm paired with a good prime portrait lens.
@@ericinthewild, yeah it certainly is a balance. So hard to have it all in one lens! I'll likely replace at least my 50-140mm 2.8 with the 18-135mm because I find it a bit impractical at times b/c it's so large and is limited to the longer focal lengths. I may hang onto the 16-55 for a bit but eventually drop that one too. Thank you!
que pensez-vous de la nouvelle 16-80 de fuji, est le 18-135 mieux en termes de qualité d’image, j’hésite entre ces 2 lentilles qui sont au même prix
OMG how unsaturated is this video man.
I use the XF 18-135mm and it isn't the sharpest lens in the Fujinon lineup, but I kept it anyway. For the most part, it is a very nice super zoom lens. I like the versatility of the zoom range, the OIS is amazing and I also enjoy just having one lens with me when I'm making pictures outside. That being said, when compared with other Fujinon lenses you'll see how soft the XF 18-135mm is, especially on the 26mpx sensors and when checking the images on a 4K monitor. I do understand that it is not easy to manufacture a perfect super zoom lens and I took that into consideration when buying the XF -18-135mm. If stopped down to f/9-f/11 and if kept between like 30mm and 100mm it can be sharp, especially in the middle of the images, but you can still tell it's not ideal. I call it the ''XF 18-135mm look''. It is however much sharper and faster focusing than the other super zoom lens for the Fuji X mount, the Tamron 18-300 mm. But that's besides the point, I like the XF 18-135mm, but it's not for those who seek pixel sharp images on modern Fujifilm cameras. Even my very cheap XC 15-45mm lens, that came with my camera, does much better job with pixel sharp images from corner to corner at any focal lenght.
In fully manual mode, no autofocus, does the 18-135mm stay focused while zooming? I want a zoom lens for video. If I focus at a subject at 135mm and slowly zoom out to 24mm will the subject still stay in focus?
Not really.. sometimes if it’s well lit. This effect is also what I’m looking for. Maybe the 50-140 would be more reliable?
Zooming out works better than zooming in tho
Hey, ok please tell me one more thing that is fuji xt 30has really great colors in jpeg as compared to sony a6400 .
Is the difference is just a lil bit or is the difference is really big .
Coz if the doff is big then i will buy fuji else i am going for sony .
Pl suggest
Hi Tushar, I haven't really worked with the XT30 or the a6400, so it is tough for me to say! I'd suggest going into a camera store and trying them both and seeing what feels better for you.
@@ericinthewild thanks for your reply.
Btw i have just purchased xt 30 yesterday . 😊
Yes you're right 18-135mm is much sharper tested them both myself probably the best zoom lens ever made
It is a great one! As I mentioned to you on the other video, I just picked up the 16-55 2.8 and will do a comparison between it and the 18-135 soon, so stay tuned ;)
Surprise. Thank you!
You're welcome Norbert!
Hi. I wanted to record indoor videos . Yoga and fitness.
Pl suggest me which one has more sharper and more best bookeh effect ?
18-55 or 18-135 for fuji xt30 camera ?
Hi Tushar - go with the 18-55 for best bokeh.
If you are indoor, you also won't really need the 55-135 part of the lens.
With that all said, you could actually opt to get the 16-55 for a bit more money, and have an even wider angle and better bokeh. And with THAT said, if you do not need the zoom, look into the prime lenses! This means you will have a fixed viewing angle, but the lens also has a lower f-stop, for example the 18/2 or 16/2.8 can be found at a relatively good price.
You might want to try prime lens with f1.2
@@haydeephotos ok. Thanks
Are you going to review the 16-80?
If someone sends it to me! :D
Great review, man. Thanks! I've heard fuji lenses struggle while zooming in video. Can you verify if this is true for these two lenses?
How about comparing them at f3.5? Or f22? Or even comparing the 18-55's f2.8 quality against the 18-135's f3.5? 'Real world' shouldn't mean comparing them where they're comfortable at f5.6 and f8.0. Everyone can understand one is bigger and heavier but has extra reach...