Depending on the mm of a lens, it will have a different Field of View. The chart below shows that a 24mm lens gives you an 84-degree view of the scene, whereas a 50mm lens only gives you a 46-degree view. Zoom lens, of course, allows you to vary the field of view. As the field of view widens, you may begin to see distortion, and it is narrowed you may see compression.
Fujifilm has an informative site that allows you to experiment with different lenses while looking at the same scenic view. You can access this by clicking on the following link.
http://fujifilmxmount.com/comparison/en/test-our-lenses/.
The chart below gives you a quick look at the different fields of view.
The following Charts give you an idea of how compression is experienced. Here the photographer has moved forwards and backwards to keep the main subject the same size and proportion in the frame. You will notice in the 90mm lens how much closer the cars are in the background, this is compression. Often photographers will talk about how flattering compression can be when taking a portrait. Wide angle distortion, on the other hand, tends to have the opposite effect when taking portraits.
Mike Mander on Wide Angle Lenses
In this article written in the fall of 2023, Mike Mander outlines what things you need to consider when contemplating lenses wider than 24mm.
Zoom Lenses
The primary quality difference between prime and zoom lenses is that the former tends to be simpler in construction and usually has a lower f-stop. So there can be a reduction in image quality, especially if the zoom lens has a complex internal structure. Over the years, however, the optics of zoom lenses have improved significantly, and with a good zoom lens, the quality difference might be difficult to see. A two-times zoom lens, meaning the focal length is doubled by the lens, such as a 75-150mm or a 100-200mm, is the most straightforward design and will likely have a lower f-stop and better quality. A more complex lens, such as an 18-200, would have 11 x change in focal length (200/18 = 11.1). This complexity required to maintain sharpness throughout the lens range often means compromises in the f-stop and corners of the frame. So, when considering a zoom lens, I would consider a two-time lens first unless finances or weight become problematic.