^ This. Also, I usually grab the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR when I want reliability. I carried it through Kyoto during a massive rainstorm last year and the weather sealing was a lifesaver. Its not as tiny as a pancake, but it fits fine in a coat pocket. You can find used copies for around $350, which fits your budget perfectly. Focus is snappy too.

I've gotta be real, I had some pretty big issues using the older glass on the X-T5. I took the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm f2 R on a trip recently and unfortunately it was a massive letdown. That 40mp sensor is just too demanding for it. The results were not as good as expected, with a lot of purple fringing and corner softness that made the high-res body feel like a waste of money. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f2.8 R WR is better, but the autofocus is noisy and honestly pretty slow for fast-paced street photography. Since you need to buy today and stay under $400, I would look at these more practical alternatives instead:

• TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 AF: Pro is the insane price and compact size. Con is heavy vignetting, but for $150 it actually handles the resolution better than I thought it would.
• Viltrox AF 23mm f1.4 XF: Pro is the low light performance which is vital for Tokyo nights. Con is the size, as it's definitely not a pancake lens.
• Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary: Pro is the incredible sharpness that actually keeps up with the X-T5 sensor. Con is the lack of an aperture ring which feels a bit weird on a Fuji body. I was pretty disappointed with the 18mm after seeing the chromatic aberration in my temple photos. It just didn't have the resolving power I needed. If you're dead set on a pancake, go with the TTArtisan and save your money for the trip.

> Which compact lens should I grab for my X-T5 before I fly to Japan next Tuesday? Im torn between the 27mm f2.8 pancake and the 18mm f2. I went through this exact same struggle last year before a big trip. Honestly, I am super happy I ended up picking the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR for my kit. Its so small it basically turns the camera into a tiny point-and-shoot, which is exactly what you want when you are walking 20k steps a day in Shinjuku. People worry about it being too narrow, but the 40mm equivalent view is actually perfect for street shots and food pics. It doesnt give that weird wide-angle distortion on people's faces which is nice. I looked at the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R too, but I have no complaints about sticking with the 27mm. The 18mm is a bit noisy when it focuses and it honestly struggles to keep up with that 40mp sensor on the X-T5... everything looks a bit soft on it. The 27mm is sharp enough that you can crop in quite a bit and still have a great photo. Plus the weather resistance on the R WR version is a life saver if you get caught in a sudden rain shower. You can usually find them for around $350 to $395 if you shop around used gear sites today. It works well for almost every travel situation. If you need any help finding a shop that ships fast let me know. You are gonna have a blast in Japan tho!