CameraReview

Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR

Fujifilm · 500 mm · f/5.6 · XF · Image Stabilization

Fujifilm XF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR

Score Breakdown

Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.

Physical 92
Optics 64
Features 99
Construction 41
74
SCORE /100
Buying Options
What We Like
+Exceptional sharpness from edge to edge at f/5.6, one of the best optical performances in its class
+Outstanding 5.5-stop optical image stabilization enables handheld shooting at slow shutter speeds
+Remarkably compact and lightweight (1335g) for a 500mm super-telephoto, making it highly portable for extended handheld use
+Fast and accurate autofocus with 0.33-second focus speed and effective subject tracking for wildlife and sports
+Premium build quality with weather sealing and white coating, professional-grade handling with smooth rings and rotary controls
+Excellent bokeh rendering and subject separation for dramatic, eye-catching compositions
Worth Knowing
−Fixed focal length reduces composition flexibility compared to zoom alternatives like the XF 150-600mm
−Relatively long 2.75m minimum focus distance limits macro-style compositions and magnification at close range
−Premium $2999 price point is a significant investment, though competitive with similar super-telephoto offerings
−Lens hood build quality feels slightly flimsy for the price; Arca-Swiss dovetail doesn't run the full length of the tripod foot

General

About This Lens
The Fujifilm XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is a professional super-telephoto prime lens for Fujifilm's X-series APS-C mirrorless cameras with a 762mm equivalent focal length and f/5.6 maximum aperture. Handling is excellent, autofocus is fast, optical stabilization is highly effective and image quality is drop-dead gorgeous. This lens is compact and lightweight enough for prolonged shooting sessions, unlike many 500mm primes. It's an exceptional choice for wildlife and sports photographers seeking reach without sacrificing portability or optical quality.
BrandFujifilm
Release Year2024
Production Status
ⓘ
Current status of lens manufacturing (e.g., in production, discontinued).
In Production
Pro Branding
ⓘ
Specific branding codes used for professional-tier lenses.
XF
Lens Mount
ⓘ
The lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras.
Fujifilm X
System
ⓘ
Indicates which camera system the lens is designed to attach to.
Fujifilm X
Maximum Format
ⓘ
Largest sensor size compatible with the lens.
APS-C

Physical

92/100
Lens Weight1335 g
Lens Diameter
ⓘ
Width of the lens at its widest point
104.5 mm
Lens Length
ⓘ
How long the lens is from front to back.
255.5 mm
Front Filter Compatible
ⓘ
Some lenses are compatible with front filters, some are compatible with back filters and some are compatible with both. Front filters are usually more convenient to add and remove.
Yes
Front Filter Size
ⓘ
Diameter of attachable filters.
95 mm

Optics

64/100
Focal Range
ⓘ
Shortest to longest focal length of the lens (zoom range start - end )
500 mm
Aperture Range
ⓘ
Largest aperture at the lens's shortest focal length to longest focal length (aperture range start - end)
5.6
Focal Length Angle of View3°–3.3°
Flange Focal Distance
ⓘ
Distance from lens mount to sensor.
17.7 mm
Diaphragm Type
ⓘ
Structure and design of the aperture
Automatic
Blades
ⓘ
Number of diaphragm blades in aperture
9020
Zoom Lens
ⓘ
Zoom allows you to vary the focal length, change between long shots and close-ups
No
Closest Focusing Distance
ⓘ
Minimum distance for a subject to be in focus.
275 cm01500
Maximum Magnification
ⓘ
Largest size a subject can be reproduced
0.2x
Autofocus ModeYes
Manual ModeYes
Manual Focusing RingYes

Features

99/100
Weather Sealing
ⓘ
Weather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions.
Yes
Fluorine Coating
ⓘ
Coating to repel water and oil from lens elements.
Yes
Built In Lens HoodNo
Lens Hood TypeRound
Teleconverter
ⓘ
A teleconverter (extender) is an extra piece of equipment that fits between the lens and the camera body to enhance magnification
Yes
Image StabilizationYes
IS Efficiency
ⓘ
IS efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the image stabilization system in compensating for the blurring effects of camera shake, quantified by the number of stops of stabilization it provides.
5.5 stops

Construction

41/100
Elements
ⓘ
Lens elements refer to individual pieces of glass within the lens.
21
Groups14
Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
The number of aspherical lens elements which can help correct aberrations such as spherical aberration.
0
Bi Aspherical Elements
ⓘ
Elements with two non-spherical surfaces
0
Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Elements that reduce chromatic aberration
5
Super Low Dispersion
ⓘ
Advanced elements further reducing chromatic aberration
2
CA Reduction
ⓘ
Built-in features to reduce chromatic aberration
0
Internal Focusing
ⓘ
Internal Focusing means that the lens does not change in size during focusing, and the front element does not rotate.
Yes