We all love compact lenses that punch above their weight. The 27mm pancake range is one of those that promises portability, style, and decent optical performance.
In this comparison I go over four lenses with 27mm focal length for Fujifilm cameras:
- TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 (review here) – I used it on Fujifilm X-T5 and X-PRO3
- Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2 (review here) – I used it on Fujifilm X-T3, X-T30II, X-T50 and X-T5
- 7artisans 27mm f/2.8 (review here) – I used it on X-T3 and X-T50
- Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR (review here) – I used it on all my ILC from Fujifilm
I’ll tell you how I use each, what I like and don’t like, pros and cons — then I’ll give you my final opinion. I’ll conclude with which one I think is the best all‑rounder, and for whom.
Why A 27mm Pancake Lens For Fujifilm?
Using a Fujifilm mirrorless camera, I’m always searching for the sweet spot between compact size lenses, usable aperture, and that image quality that makes me want to pick up the camera rather than leave it at home.
The 27mm (≈40mm full‑frame equivalent) range is great for street, environmental portraits, travel and everyday photography.
But not all pancakes are created equal. Some focus fast, some give you beautiful rendering, some are sharp, others struggle.
Over the years I’ve tested all the 27mm pancakes and compact lenses that are out here for Fujifilm cameras:
- Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR (pancake, weather resistant)
- Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2 (manual focus, premium)
- TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 (autofocus, budget‑friendly)
- 7artisans 27mm f/2.8 (another budget option)
I’ve shot in studio, real‑world, night, close‑ups and lots of street photography.
I’ll share what I found for each 27mm lens for Fujifilm cameras.
Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR Mark II
Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 WR is Fujifilm’s own pancake lens — the WR stands for weather-resistant, and that’s one of the big selling points.
It’s a tiny, lightweight autofocus lens that fits gret with cameras like the X-E5 and X-Pro3, making it ideal for discreet shooting or travel. It works great on any Fujifilm camera regarding size and handling.
It was released with a lot of hype, especially since it upgraded the original 27mm by adding an aperture ring.
The greatest advantage is that it focuses ok, it’s small, sharp and stays perfect on any Fujifilm body.
But the question is — does it deliver more than just convenience?
How I used Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 MK II
- I used it most as a walkaround lens: everyday shooting, daylight, casual shoots.
- I bought it with my Fujifilm X‑E4 in a kit, so lots of street, environmental photos, documentary photography, family photography
What I like about Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 MK II
- It’s weather‑sealed (WR).
- Very compact, lightweight.
- Aperture ring with clicks and a lock to A position (helpful if you switch between ring and rear dials).
- Autofocus is solid.
What I don’t like about Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 MK II
- f/2.8 is limiting in darker environments — night, winter, low light.
- Minimum focus distance and close‑up performance are weaker compared to some of the others.
- Doesn’t stand out in character: good, but not exciting or “premium” feeling in rendering or build (in my experience).
Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 MK II Pros
- Weather‑resistance
- Compact / portable
- Good autofocus and usability out of the box
- Reliable generalist lens
Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 MK II Cons
- Limited in low light due to f/2.8
- Close focus and sharpness at minimum distance inferior to lenses like the Ultron
- Less character, less “pop” or rendering flair
Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2
The Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2 is a lens that stands out in this lineup — not just for its manual focus operation, but for its character.
It brings a vintage feel with modern optical performance, and even though it doesn’t autofocus or offer weather sealing, it makes up for it in rendering, sharpness, and the overall experience of shooting with it.
This is the lens I grab when I want something with soul.
How I use Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2
- I treat it as a character lens — for when I want something special.
- Good for portraits, evening work, times where I want more light and more rendering of mood.
What I like about Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2
- f/2 aperture gives more light, helps in dim environments.
- Gorgeous rendering: nice 3D pop, good micro‐contrast, great colours, pleasing bokeh.
- Build quality feels premium: smooth focusing ring, tiger‑claw tab, good lens hood, tactile elements.
- Even at minimum focus distance (≈25 cm), it holds up well.
What I don’t like about Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2
- No weather sealing.
- You have to use manual focus. For some shots or action that can be slower.
- Minor firmware issue on Fujifilm: exif data doesn’t show correctly on new Fujifilm cameras: X-T5, X-M5, X-T50, X-E5 (f2 can appear as f22)
- Lens hood is screw‑on; if using larger hoods for flare control you might lose some compactness.
Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f2 PROS
- Excellent image quality and rendering
- Strong performance in low light thanks to f/2
- Good close‑focus performance
- Premium feel
Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f2 CONS
- Manual focus only
- No weather sealing
- Firmware / usability small annoyances on Fujifilm bodies – you can’t update the firmware
- Probably more expensive, maybe less accessible
TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8
The TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 is one of those lenses that surprises you — it’s budget-friendly, has autofocus, and is actually sharper than the Fujifilm 27mm especially in center with visible 3D POP of the subject..
If you want a compact autofocus pancake lens but don’t want to spend Fujifilm money, this one deserves a serious look. It’s not perfect, but it offers a lot for the price.
How I use TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8
- When I want autofocus but don’t want to carry a premium price tag.
- Good for street, travel, casual portraits, mixed‑lighting situations.
What I like about TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8
- Sharper than the Fujifilm 27mm in many situations (especially with subject‑background separation).
- Autofocus is ok om latest Fujifilm bodies like X-T5, X-T50, X-M5, which is a big plus for fast shooting.
- Has a lens hood included.
What I don’t like about TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8
- Vignetting is strong: noticeable at f/2.8, still present at f/4, alleviated gradually by f/8.
- Not less premium in build but also not cheap
TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 PROS
- Autofocus
- Good sharpness, 3D POP, good contrast relative to its price
- Excellent separation / rendering for subject/background
TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 CONS
- Heavy vignetting unless stopped down significantly
- Might lose some optical quality or “premium feel” vs top‑end manual lenses
- Slightly larger than Fujifilm in some respects (size/weight)
7artisans 27mm f/2.8
If you’re just getting into Fujifilm or looking for a budget compact lens with great image quality to experiment with, the 7artisans 27mm f/2.8 is an option.
It’s similar in concept to the TTArtisan — compact, affordable, and relatively simple — but without an aperture ring.
It will give you the “best” optics for this range of 27mm f/2.8 lenses.
How I use 7artisans 27mm f/2.8
- As another budget option in the 27mm pancake category.
- For street photography and everyday photography
What I like about 7artisans 27mm f/2.8
- Price is attractive.
- Very good resolution (it resolves the 40MP sensor)
- Very good sharpess and you have 3D POP
- Compact form factor.
- Serves well in daylight conditions where extreme low‑light performance isn’t required.
What I don’t like about 7artisans 27mm f/2.8
- It can flare if you don’t pay attention (but the other lenses flare too)
7artisans 27mm f/2.8 PROS
- Affordable
- Fast AF
- Best image quality (in a way) from all these pancake lenses
- Lightweight / small
- Good for daylight and even low light casual work
7artisans 27mm f/2.8 CONS
- it’s the “biggest” from all this lineup
Conclusion
After using all four lenses, here’s what I believe:
- If you want one lens that gives you the most satisfying image quality, character, and performance, and you don’t mind manual focus, go with the Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2. It wins in low light, in rendering, and in making photography feel special. It’s not the most practical all‑rounder, but it’s the one I reach for when I want images that excite me.
- If you want autofocus and a solid lens without spending Voigtlander money, 7Artisan 27mm f/2.8 is the best compromise. Yes, it has flare, but it delivers better sharpness and subject separation than Fujifilm in many contexts, and for me that matters a lot.
- Fujifilm’s 27mm f/2.8 WR is still a fine lens. If you prioritize weather sealing, compact size, and convenience (especially autofocus), this is a great choice. But don’t expect it to outperform the Ultron or surprise you at night. It works well in its niche.
- The TTartisans 27mm f/2.8 option is good if your budget demands it, or you’re okay with some compromises for a lens that has strong character with excellent 3D POP in the center. It can be a backup, or a travel lens when you don’t want to risk more expensive glass.
Fujifilm 27mm Alternative Lenses
If you want another field of view close to these lenses, take a look to the following options:
- Viltrox 25mm f/1.7
- Viltrox 28mm f/4.5
- Fujifilm XF WR 30mm f/2.8
- Pergear 25mm f/1.7
- And here are my best lenses for Fujifilm for every day carry.
Where To Buy This Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8 Compact Lenses
Get this lenses using my affiliate links:
- TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8: Get in on AMAZON | BHPHOTO | TTArtisan Official Shop
- 7Artisan 27mm f/2.8: Get in on AMAZON | BHPHOTO
- Voigtlander Ultron 27mm f/2: Get in on AMAZON | BHPHOTO
- Fujifilm 27mm f/2.8: Get in on AMAZON | BHPHOTO
Fujifilm Cameras With A Tilt Screen Are A Great Pair For 27mm Compact Lenses
- Fujifilm X-T5 – Best all-rounder with top color science, IBIS, and EVF
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO - Fujifilm X-T30 III – Affordable, compact, and fast
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO - Fujifilm X-T50 – My number one Fujifilm camera
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO - Fujifilm X-E5 – Great stylish and powerfull small camera.
– Get it from Amazon aff link | BHPHOTO