Encyclopedia
Flash comparison
A list of flash guns, for easy comparison of strobes, from different manufactures. The list is intended to supplement the list of photographic equipment makers.
01List of current models
| Name | Guide number | Sync connection | Angle of coverage | Variable power (manual) | TTL | Bounce | Swivel | Interval | Optical slave | Other notes | HSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cactus RF60 | 56m at 105mm | Yes, 3.5mm | 24-105mm | 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) | no | yes | yes | 5s (3s with NiMH) | yes | Built-in radio receiver | yes |
| Canon Speedlite 270EX II | 27m | No | 28/50mm | ? | E-TTL II | yes (0/60/75/90) | no | 3.9 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Yes | |
| Canon Speedlite 320EX | 32m | No | 24/50mm | ? | E-TTL II | yes (0/60/75/90) | yes (+90, -180) | 2.3 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Yes | |
| Canon Speedlite 430EX II | 43m/141 ft at 105mm zoom-head position | No | 24/28/35/50/70/80/105mm (plus 14mm diffusor) | 1/1-1/64 (1/3 steps) [1/1-1/128 when used as slave] | E-TTL II | yes | yes (+90, -180) | 3.7 sec (AA-Alkaline), 2 sec (AA-NiMH) | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Yes | |
| Canon Speedlite 580EX II | 58m/190 ft at 105mm zoom-head position | Yes | 24-105mm (14mm diffusor) | 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) | E-TTL II | yes | yes (360) | 3.5 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Can be used as wireless (optical) controller for other Canon flashes | Yes |
| Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT | 60m/ 196.9 ft at 200mm zoom-head position | Yes | 20-200mm (14mm diffusor) | 1/1-1/128 (1/3 steps) | E-TTL II | yes | yes (360) | 3.3 sec | Yes (only when using Canon master) | Can be used as wireless (optical) controller for other Canon flashes | Yes |
| Lumopro LP160 | 42m/140 ft | Miniphone+PC | 24, 28, 35, 50, 70, 85, 105mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 | no | yes | yes | 4 sec (AA-NiMH) | Yes | ||
| Metz mecablitz 36 AF-4 digital | 36m/118 ft | no | 28-85mm (manual) | TTL | yes | yes | 5 | Yes | Metz service Firmware update | ||
| Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital | 48m/158 ft | no | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 25 levels | E-TTL II | yes | yes | 3.5 | Yes (only E-TTL/i-TTL slave) | Can update firmware over USB,
High Speed Sync |
Yes |
| Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital | 58m/190 ft | no | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 25 levels | TTL | yes | yes | 3.5 | Yes (only E-TTL/i-TTL slave) | Can operate as E-TTL/i-TTL master
Can update firmware over USB Has secondary reflector High Speed Sync |
Yes |
| Nikon SB-600 AF Speedlight | 30m/98 ft | No | 24-85mm, 18mm with flip down diffuser | 1/1-1/64 | i-TTL/CLS | yes | yes | 3.5 sec | Yes (only when using Nikon master) | Yes | |
| Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight | 34m/111.5 ft | Screwlock PC | 14-200mm | 1/1-1/128 | TTL/i-TTL/CLS | yes | yes | 4sec | yes | Yes | |
| Nissin Di622 | 44m/145 ft @105mm | PC | 24-105 mm | 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 | i-TTL (Nikon)
E-TTL/E-TTL II (Canon) |
yes | yes | 5sec | yes, both i-TTL and basic slave | Nikon and Canon versions
Can update firmware over USB | |
| Nissin Di622 MARK II | 44m/145 ft @105mm | PC | 24-105 mm | 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 | i-TTL (Nikon)
E-TTL/E-TTL II (Canon) |
yes | yes | 5sec | yes, both i-TTL and basic slave | Nikon and Canon and Sony versions
Can update firmware over USB | |
| Nissin Di866 | 60m/198 ft @105mm (overrated) | PC | 18, 24-105mm | 1/1-1/128, 1/3 EV | i-TTL/CLS (Nikon)
E-TTL/E-TTL II (Canon) |
yes | yes | 5.5sec | yes, both i-TTL and basic slave | Nikon and Canon versions
Can update firmware over USB Has sub-flash | |
| Pentax AF-200FG | 20m | No | 28mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4 | TTL | no | no | 4sec | no | ||
| Pentax AF-360FGZ II | 36m | X-Sync | 24-85mm | 1/1-1/64 | PTTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | ||
| Pentax AF-540FGZ | 54m | X-Sync | 24-85mm | 1/1-1/64 | PTTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | Headsize: 70x45mm/2.75x1.77" | |
| Sigma EF 500 DG ST | 50m/165 ft | No | 28-105mm | 1/1,1/16 | TTL | yes | yes | 6sec | no | ||
| Sigma EF 500 DG Super | 50m/165 ft | No | 28-105mm | 8 levels | TTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | ||
| Sigma EF 530 DG ST | 53m/175 ft | No | 24-105mm | 1/1,1/16 | TTL | yes | yes | 6sec | no | ||
| Sigma EF 530 DG Super | 53m/175 ft | No | 24-105mm (17mm diffuser) | 1/1-1/64 (Sigma/Canon 1/1-1/128) | TTL | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | ||
| Sony HVL-F58AM | 58 at 105 mm | Yes (proprietary for external HVL-F56AM or HVL-F58AM only) | 24-105mm (16mm diffuser) | Yes (1/1-1/32) | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | Yes | 3-5 | Yes (Body only/Or HVL-F58AM/HVL-F20AM on Sony A900 or HVL-F58AM on Sony A700) | HSS, Battery booster connector, Wireless Ratio Control | Yes |
| Sony HVL-F42AM | 42 at 105 mm | no | 24-105mm (16mm diffuser) | Yes (1/1-1/32) | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | Yes | 3-4 | Yes (Body only/Or HVL-F58AM on Sony A900 or on Sony A700) | HSS | Yes |
| Vivitar 285HV | 42m/140 ft | Yes, proprietary jack | 28-105mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 | no | yes | no | 10sec | no | ||
| Yongnuo YN460 | 25m/85 ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 | no | yes | yes | 5sec | yes | no | |
| Yongnuo YN460 II | 36m/120 ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 | no | yes | yes | 5sec | yes | no | |
| Yongnuo YN462 | 24m/80 ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1 - 1/64 (analog) | no | yes | yes | 5sec | no | Same as YN460, but with analog power selector and no optical slave sensor | no |
| Yongnuo YN465 | 24m/80 ft (50mm ISO100) | No | fixed | 1/1 - 1/64 (analog) | E-TTL II (Canon) / i-TTL (Nikon) | yes (-10 to +90) | yes (-180 to +90) | 2sec (1.2 with NiMH) | no | no | |
| Yongnuo YN468 II | 21.1m/ ft (50mm ISO100, as measured; official is 33m at 35mm) | PC | 24-85mm (18mm diffuser) | 1/1 - 1/128 | E-TTL II (Canon) / i-TTL (Nikon) | yes (-10 to +90) | yes (-90 to +180) | 1.8sec (1.0 with NiMH) | yes | no | |
| Yongnuo YN560 | 58m (at 105mm) | PC | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 1/1 - 1/128 (with 1/3 steps) | no | yes (-7 to +90) | yes (0 to 270) | 3.0sec | Yes (S1, S2) | no | |
| Yongnuo YN560 II | 58m (at 105mm) | PC | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 1/1 - 1/128 (with 1/3 steps) | no | yes (-7 to +90) | yes (0 to 270) | 3.0sec | Yes (S1, S2) | = YN560 + LCD | no |
| Yongnuo YN560 III | 58m (at 105mm) | PC | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 1/1 - 1/128 (with 1/3 steps) | no | yes (-7 to +90) | yes (0 to 270) | 3.0sec | Yes (S1, S2) | = YN560 II + RF603 built-in (2.4G radio receiver) | no |
| Yongnuo YN560 IV | 58m (at 105mm) | PC | 24-105mm (18mm diffuser) | 1/1 - 1/128 (with 1/3 steps) | no | yes (-7 to +90) | yes (0 to 270) | 3.0sec | Yes (S1, S2) | = YN560 II + YN560TX built-in (2.4G radio controller) | no |
| Yongnuo YN565 | 54m (at 105mm) | PC | 24-105mm | 1/1 - 1/128 (with 1/3 steps) | E-TTL II | yes | yes (360) | 3.5sec | Yes (only when using Canon/Nikon master) | no | |
| Yongnuo YN568 | 58m (at 105mm) | PC | 24-105mm | yes | yes (360) | 3sec | no | ||||
| Yongnuo YN585 EX | 58m (at 105mm) | PC | 20-105mm (14mm diffuser) | 1/1 - 1/128 (with 1/3 steps) | P-TTL (Pentax) | yes (-7 to +90) | yes (360) | 3.0sec | Yes (S1, S2, SP [Pentax]) | Rear-curtain sync, FEC, FEB, USB Port (firmware upgrade), Auto zoom, AF-assist beam | no |
02List of discontinued models
| Name | Guide number | Sync connection | Angle of coverage | Variable power (manual) | TTL | Bounce | Swivel | Interval | Optical slave | Discontinued | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cactus KF36 | ACTUAL DATA 30m/100 ft at 50mm (overrated as 37m/140 ft) | Yes, proprietary jack | 28-105mm | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/16 | no | yes | no | 10sec | no | Vivitar 285HV clone | |
| Canon Speedlite 580ex | 37m/140 ft (50mm ISO100)(or 58/190 ft at 105mm) | No | 17-105mm | 1/1-1/128 | eTTL and Canon's infrared system | yes | yes | 0.1 to 3 sec for normal flash, 0.1 to 3 sec for quick flash | no | The flash foot is easily modified to include a sync connection | |
| Lumopro LP120 | 30m/100 ft | Miniphone+PC | 28mm, 50mm, 85mm (manual) | 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 | no | yes | yes | 6.5 sec (AA-NiMH) | Yes | ||
| Sony HVL-F56AM | 56 at 85 mm | yes (proprietary for external HVL-F56AM or HVL-F58AM only) | 24-85mm (17mm diffuser) | Yes (1/1-1/32) | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | Yes | 5-6 | Yes (Body only/Or HVL-F58AM on Sony A900) | HSS, Battery booster connector | |
| Sony HVL-F36AM | 36 at 85 mm | no | 24-85mm (17mm diffuser) | No | TTL/ADI, Wireless TTL/ADI | Yes | No | 5-6 | Yes (Body only/Or HVL-F58AM on Sony A900) | HSS | |
| Nikon SB-26 AF Speedlight | 18m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 18 - 85mm | 1/1 - 1/64 | TTL | yes | yes | 3sec | yes | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. | |
| Nikon SB-28 AF Speedlight | 18m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 18 - 85mm | 1/1 - 1/64 | TTL | yes | yes | 3sec | no | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. | |
| Nikon SB-80DX AF Speedlight | 14m (at 18mm) / 50m (at 85mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 14 - 105mm | 1/1 - 1/128 | TTL | yes | yes | 3sec | yes | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. | |
| Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight | 38 (at 35mm) / 56m (at 105mm) at ISO100 | Screwlock PC | 24-105mm | 1/1-1/128 | i-TTL/CLS | yes | yes | 6sec | yes | October 2008 | Built in wide flash adapter and bounce card. |
| Vivitar 283 | 36m/120 ft at ISO100 (at 35mm) | Vivitar Connector | fixed (35mm) | 1/1 | no | yes | no | 11sec | no | Auto Thyristor. | |
| Vivitar 550FD | 4.5m at ISO100
24m at ISO100 |
No | fixed | 1/1 | TTL | yes | no | 7sec | no | Auto Thyristor. |
Sources and credits
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