Conclusion

The XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II is an easy recommendation as the best premium standard zoom lens for Fujifilm X-series camera owners, improving on the original version in almost every way without any significant increase in price.

It makes a great partner for almost every camera body in the Fuji APS-C range, from the X-H2 to the X-M5, which is especially true if it has one of the newer, more demanding 40 megapixel sensors.

Everything about the 2015 original has been souped-up, from the smaller size and lower weight to the faster auto-focusing and richer feature-set, now including an de-click aperture switch for the first time ever on an XF lens.

It delivers better bokeh thanks to the upgraded 11 aperture blades, can focus at 30cm throughout the zoom range with greater magnification, and is consistently sharp throughout the zoom range and throughout the frame.

It does still lack the optical image stabilisation of the well-regarded Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 R LM OIS kit lens, but the faster constant maximum aperture, improved image quality, better build quality and full weather-sealing makes this lens better suited to a lot of users.

In short, if you want the best fast standard zoom for your X-series body, pretty much regardless of how big/expensive it is, then the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II is definitively the one to buy.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	5
Features	5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	5
Value for money	4.5