The X100VI didn't just revive the camera — it also sparked renewed interest in Fujifilm's pancake lenses. That 23mm f/2.8 paired with the X-E5 makes for an incredibly portable combo that feels like a proper retro compact.
In fact, Fujifilm's recent camera strategy reflects the industry's renewed focus on compact cameras. While full-frame systems continue pushing toward bigger sensors and heavier lenses, the APS-C segment is rediscovering the appeal of small, lightweight gear that you actually want to carry every day. Pancake lenses sit at the heart of this movement.
The Pancake Lens Revival
Pancake lenses — ultra-compact primes barely thicker than a camera body cap — have become one of the most interesting trends in photography over the past two years. Canon brought back the PowerShot series. Sony's kept their E-mount 20mm and 16mm pancakes alive. Even Sigma's I-series primes, while not true pancakes, embrace the same philosophy of compact, stylish optics.
Fujifilm, however, has arguably the strongest pancake story right now. The company currently offers two true pancake lenses in its X-mount lineup: the XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR (updated in 2021 with an aperture ring and weather sealing) and the newer XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR (launched in 2025 alongside the X-E5). Both weigh under 100g, measure just a few centimeters in length, and share the same 39mm filter thread.
The 27mm delivers a 40.5mm equivalent field of view — close to the classic "nifty fifty" — while the 23mm gives a 35mm equivalent perspective that's become the default for street and documentary photography. They're not the fastest lenses in Fuji's lineup, but they're sharp, silent, and designed to disappear on your camera.
CP+ 2026: Fujifilm Confirms Expansion Plans
At CP+ 2026 in Yokohama, Fujifilm's product planning team dropped a hint that photographers have been waiting for. In an interview with Phototrend, Jun Watanabe (Product Planning Group Manager for the X Series) confirmed that both the 27mm and the new 23mm pancake lenses are selling well — and the company sees genuine potential for expanding the lineup further.
"The combination of the pancake lens and the camera body looks stylish. So we believe it has potential for a future lineup of pancake lenses."
— Jun Watanabe, Fujifilm Product Planning
When pressed about what focal lengths might make sense for future pancakes, Watanabe pointed toward wider angles:
"I believe that to maintain a compact size, a wider focal length is more suitable. Therefore, I think there is potential for us to develop a new lens in the wider-angle range."
This is significant. A wider pancake — think 16mm or 18mm — would open up entirely new use cases for Fujifilm's compact primes, from landscape and architecture to vlogging and environmental portraits. It would also differentiate Fuji's pancakes from the competition, most of which cluster around the 24-40mm equivalent range.
What Could Come Next?
Photographers and industry observers have been speculating about Fujifilm's pancake roadmap since the 23mm f/2.8 launched. The most requested additions include:
XF 16mm f/2.8 pancake — A 24mm equivalent ultra-wide that would pair beautifully with the X-E5 or a future X-Pro4 for landscape and travel work.
XF 18mm f/2.8 pancake — A 27mm equivalent "mild wide" that would slot neatly between the existing 23mm and the wider options, ideal for everyday shooting.
XF 35mm f/2.8 pancake — A 52mm equivalent "nifty fifty" that would complete a compact prime trio covering wide, standard, and short telephoto.
Fujifilm's emphasis on wider focal lengths suggests the 16mm and 18mm are more likely than a longer option. Physically, wide-angle lenses are easier to design in a flat profile — the rear element sits closer to the sensor, making the overall barrel shorter. That's why most pancake lenses across all manufacturers tend to be 24mm equivalent or wider.
The Competitive Landscape
Fujifilm isn't alone in chasing the compact prime market. Canon's RF-S 24mm f/3.5 STM and Sony's E 20mm f/2.8 both offer similar form factors, though neither matches Fuji's build quality or aperture ring design. Third-party manufacturers like TTArtisan (27mm f/2.8) and 7Artisans have also entered the space with budget-friendly alternatives.
Where Fujifilm holds an advantage is integration. The X-E5 was clearly designed with pancake lenses in mind — its flat top plate, minimal grip, and retro styling mirror the aesthetic of a compact prime mounted flush against the body. It's a deliberate product ecosystem play that Canon and Sony haven't fully replicated.
What This Means for X-Series Users
If Fujifilm does expand its pancake lineup, the biggest beneficiaries will be X-E and X100 series owners — photographers who prioritize portability and discretion over raw specification sheets. A three- or four-lens pancake kit covering 16mm to 35mm equivalent, all weighing under 400g combined, would be genuinely unique in the mirrorless market.
For now, the 23mm f/2.8 and 27mm f/2.8 remain excellent starting points. Neither is perfect — the autofocus motors aren't as fast as Fuji's linear motor primes, and neither lens offers the low-light capability of an f/1.4 or f/2 alternative — but both deliver image quality that punches well above their size and price.
Fujifilm users wanting lightweight lenses should have more options coming. The only question is when — and whether the next pancake will arrive before the X-Pro4 finally breaks cover.