Fujifilm XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR vs Fujifilm XF 150-600mm F5.6-8 R LM OIS WR

The XF 500mm is a fixed super-telephoto at f/5.6, the XF 150-600 a super-zoom at f/5.6-8. Both are weather resistant, stabilized and come with a tripod foot. The 500 appeared in October 2024, the zoom in May 2022. At 500 mm (762 mm in 35mm terms) the prime is the more compact way to a long focal length: 1,335 g and 255 mm long against 1,605 g and 315 mm.

The 150-600 makes up for that with flexibility. It reaches 600 mm (914 mm equivalent), and Fujifilm lists it as compatible with the XF 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. At 600 mm it is at f/8, whereas the 500 stays at f/5.6 throughout.

Which one suits whom?

• XF 500: You mostly shoot at 500 mm anyway, for example birds, and want less weight and more light.
• XF 150-600: You need the zoom range for subjects at varying distances and the reserve up to 600 mm.