Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ

Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ User Reviews

• 9 out of 10 points and recommended by davidgarth (3 reviews)
  • Fun to shoot with • Good image quality • Extremely lightweight • Very compact • Fast and quiet autofocus • Very inexpensive • 15-45mm zoom range is very useful • OIS

  • Power zoom?

  I am an old, retired professional photographer still active in my mid-seventies. I switched to Fuji-X from a lifetime with Nikon SLRs because I got too old to lug heavy equipment around, especially since Im just shooting for my own pleasure. Im always looking for ways to cut my equipment weight load. But my quality standards are still quite high.
  
  I was intrigued by this lens because one of my Fujis is a small X-T20 and I thought this lens might make an excellent combo when I wanted to carry the very least weight. I havent been disappointed. This lens combines a lot of features into an amazingly light and compact package at a little low purchase price. The image qualitysharpness, contrast and coloris way better than youd expect, and very adequate for most uses, even some critical ones. The light weight is possible because everything except the optics is made of high quality plastics. (It is not going to take a lot of abuse.)
  
  I haveread several reviews complaining about the power zoom, specifically that the zoom does not remember where it is when you turn the camera off and back on, and that its difficult to control with the zoom ring. At least on my bodies (X-T2, X-T20 and X-S10) the zoom can be precisely controlled using the front focus ring if the AF-MF setting in the menu is set to off. It also goes back to the same focal length when turned back on and shows in the viewfinder where in the range it is set.
  
  Overall, this is an amazing value.

  reviewed February 3rd, 2021 (purchased for $175)
• 10 out of 10 points and recommended by Perry Rhodan (42 reviews)
  Very nice IQ. Extremely light. Rediculously cheap

  The feel is rather cheap.

  I only want to point out some minor differences I observed comparing the very fine and complete review from Benn. (He is a great inspiration).
  The built quality feels more like a 6 or 6.5 to me. That is just nitpicking.
  The image quality from 3 samples was GREAT! It seems there is hardly any sample variation. For this price that is absolutely a 10.
  For countering a bit of reflexions from straf light, I use a cheap JJC hood. Nicely fitting and made from aluminium. Does the job.

  reviewed June 14th, 2020 (purchased for $25)
• 9 out of 10 points and recommended by benherrmann (5 reviews)
  Small footprint Exceptionally sharp optics for the genre Distinctively wider field of view - equivalent to 22.5 MM

  Initially may throw users with the power zoom function which feels like it belongs on an enthusiast camera.

  Let's face it, each brand has a series of kit lenses designed to allow new photographers to get started rather quickly. These kit lenses run the gamut from $199 to $399 depending on brand and model. And with each brand there are winners - that is, lenses that seemingly punch far above their weight.
  
  The Fujifilm XC 15-45 is such a lens. I first ordered it because I was intrigued with the 22.5 equivalent wide angle field of view - which makes a huge difference with regards to capturing scenics, architectural, and large group portrait photography. When it arrived, I noticed that there wasn't much writing (or numbers) on the lens at all - it seemed rather generic (bare, if you will). OK, I thought, let's attach it to a camera and take it for spin. I placed it on the X-A3 because I like how Fuji does the Bayer sensor.
  
  I was not prepared to enjoy this lens as much as I anticipated. I always had good copies of Fuji kit lenses in the past (i.e. XC 16-50 and XF 18-55), but this new 15-45 is almost clinical without all of the negative connotations that this term implies. Images are sharp - from corner to corner (at least on my copy - that's key). Now as an aside, do keep in mind that with many kit lenses, copy-to-copy variations in optical qualities can be frustrating at best. If you get a good copy of a lens, you're smiling from ear to ear, however, if you get a bad copy, you'll spend a good deal of time trashing the lens on various forums.
  
  As for me, my copy has been stellar. As I mentioned, it is an optic that punches far above its weight. Another intriguing aspect about this lens is the fact that it broke the mold for wide angle perspectives on a kit lens. Most kit lenses are either 28 or 24 MM. With the 15-45, it's wide angle focal reach is the equivalent of 22.5 - which really puts it almost into a wide angle zoom lens category.
  
  When you first receive the lens, be advised that it will initially throw you for a loop due to the fact that when you turn on the camera, the lens pops out, and likewise, when you turn the camera off, the lens retracts - just like a zoom lens on an all-in-one enthusiast camera. Additionally, when you go to zoom, it feels the same way as if you were using an enthusiast camera - just what the Power Zoom (PZ) implies. Once you get accustomed to this (remember, it is a different baby), you can then focus on its IQ qualities, and this where the 15-45 shines.
  
  In shooting various scenarios - whether they be scenics, indoor architectural scenarios, and large group portrait photography, I have (at least up to this point) never desired for a wider angle zoom. This 15-45 had acquitted itself quite well.
  
  As for perspective distortions, they are easy to correct using the various tools available in Lightroom, ACR, DXO Viewpoint, etc. As for purple fringing, it's about average for a lens of this genre and it is easily removable in post processing.
  
  In fact, I can honestly recommend using this lens as a low cost, yet high quality general kit lens that you can put on any Fuji X camera and wind up being quite pleased with the results. I plan on getting another one real soon. I initially purchased the silver version to put on my X-A3. The next one will be a black one. However, since Fuji is getting ready to release the new X-T100 (which will have the 15-45 kit lens attached), I may just purchase that new camera/lens setup instead.
  
  Highly Recommended!!!
  
  Ben Herrmann
  Master Gunnery Sergeant
  US Marine Corps (Retired)
  Fuquay Varina, North Carolina
  Certified International Camera Slut and Avid Photographer

  reviewed May 22nd, 2018 (purchased for $299)