In this guide we will introduce you to the best flashes for mirrorless and reflex cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others dedicated to those who want to start shooting and control the light with their own hands. Let’s start!
Light in photography is essential. In fact, “photography” literally means “writing with light”. So everything is based on our ability to manage the light in order to create the right atmosphere around the subject. Very often the natural light conditions are not satisfactory – think of a room with poor lighting or shots in the dark – or simply do not allow you to make the shot you have in mindand – the light may be too hard or too soft. With this guide to the best flashes for mirrorless and reflex cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others, we therefore want to show you the most suitable tools to explore the world of artificial lighting which is as fascinating as it is complex. obviously we keep ourselves on a simple line, suitable for beginners and enthusiasts, but which in any case constitutes a solid basis for future developments. All the products listed will therefore have prices and features in line with the needs of any amateur. Also most of the products listed are compatible with different models – of course always check yours in particular before purchasing, even if generally compatibility is required for automatisms such as TTL or HSS in other words a manual flash is compatible with all cameras. Let’s start with some general advice first. To jump to the list directly click here.
How to choose and orient yourself
A flash is used to take control – as far as possible – of the lighting of the scene, a fundamental action to impress one’s vision on the shot. We can use a flash to illuminate a subject as a primary light or to lighten shadows as a secondary light and as a fill light. In all three cases we can also use a continuous light of course. Why choose a flash then? First of all they are more compact and consume less: even very powerful models are battery powered and can be mounted on very light supports. There are actually very bulky flashes, but they still have a better weight / power ratio than continuous light. They also generally heat up very little. The cons? There is no perception of what will happen until you shoot, so if you have little experience fixing the set up can take longer. The synchro flash it is in the minimum exposure time with which a flash light can be used; it is due to the fact that for very short times the shutter curtains never fully expose the sensor, but chase each other exposing one “window” at a time. Since the flash is very fast, the scene is not shot correctly. Some HSS-like features can solve the problem that does not exist with continuous light. In general, for those at the beginning a flash is the best way because you can reach the powers suitable for all situations without problems.
Different types of flashes
There are different types of flashes. Those most suitable to be used at the beginning are the sled ones that can also be attached to the camera: simple, compact and easy to carry, I guarantee excellent performance and with a limited budget allow you to experiment a lot. They can be abbinati a trigger wireless o sistemi Master Slave to be used also off-camera. Then there are the flash torches that reach very high powers, but are bulky and more complex to manage. Finally, some flashes have very specialized applications such as the ring that produces very uniform lighting for portraits and macros.
The power
A fundamental parameter for the choice of the flash is the power. Generally for those with torch it is expressed in watt / s, so in an intuitive way: a higher power is preferable because it lights up more and because it lasts longer – usually does not often use it at maximum power. P.for those with sled instead we speak of guide number (GN or NG). The NG is a value that allows to obtain the correct aperture or distance of the subject to obtain a correct exposure, in formulas NG = OPENING x DISTANCE [m]. The NG is calculated at ISO 100, so if you use higher ISOs, remember a factor of 1.4 for each stop. Before you launch into astronomical calculations please stop, In reality the NG is not needed in practice to create the set up – of course it can be an indication, but you should go to the rule -, more than anything else it serves to distinguish a more powerful flash from a less powerful one. Same speech as before: a high NG is more advisable.
Other features
Finally many flashes today include various features such as TTL for automatic power setting – equivalent to automatic exposure mode, useful for those who take souvenir photos at parties for example – or HSS for very short exposures (useful outdoors), lo zoom which can concentrate or disperse the light beam more e integration of radio transmitters – if the trigger is not integrated, it must be purchased separately to use the off-camera flash. Remember that if you want to keep the automatisms like TTL, the flash must be compatible with a specific brand, but used in manual will do any camera. Depending on the use you propose you should give a different weight to the characteristics. We now come to the real list of the best flashes for mirrorless and reflex cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others): YongNuo YN560 IV and 560 III
These are two excellent manual flashes with a very low cost. Both have NG 58 and are equipped with integrated radio receiver and Slave slave mode. The only advantage of version IV is that it can also work as a transmitter or master to control other flashes.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others): YONGNUO YN685 E-TTL (TTL for Canon)
A very powerful flash with NG 60 and with practically all the main features integrated: TTL, HSS and integrated radio receiver. It does not function as a master to control other flashes.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others): YONGNUO YN968N II Speedlite (TTL for Nikon)
Powerful flash with NG 60 and all the automatisms for Nikon, it also works as a master. It can also vary the temperature of the light without jellies.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Yongnuo YN-14EX (TTL for Canon)
Ring flash with TTL functionality for Canon, but can also be used with other brands in manual.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Neewer 750II TTL Speedlite (TTL for Nikon)
Inexpensive, but functional flash with an NG 58 and TTL for Nikon. Also excellent in manual and controlled in slave mode.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Neewer NW565EX E-TTL (TTL for Canon)
Similar to the previous model, but for Canon. The package also includes a very useful radio trigger for off-camera shooting.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Neewer NW561
Very low budget and low power (NG 38), useful as a secondary flash perhaps to soften the shadows. Manual and works in slave mode. It can be combined with an external trigger.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Neewer Flash Strobo Vision 4
Flashlight not very powerful by standards (NG 60), but really cheap. It integrates a rechargeable battery and the trigger is supplied.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Neewer Flash Strobo S400N
A cheaper flashlight, similar to the previous one in several aspects, but can only be used indoors because it needs power.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Godox V860II-N (TTL for Nikon)
Excellent flash with GN 58 and TTL for Nikon. It works both as a Master and as a slave, but does not integrate radio controls. It has an AF assist function.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Godox TT685S (TTL for Sony)
Very similar to the previous one, but for Sony. Support Master and slave system.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Godox TT600
Completely manual flash which however can work as both Master and slave It does not integrate radio receivers.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Godox SK400 II
Flashlight of decent power (400 watt / s) and with advanced controls. For use in studios, even for professionals on a limited budget. It can be controlled with radio trigger.
Best flashes for mirrorless and SLR Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others: Godox SL 60W
A very simple flash to use and not really powerful, but still good as a secondary or amateur use.
Latest tips
First of all consider well if you need the TTL. Generally, if you do not have the need for “point and shoot” such as souvenir photos at events, it is useless to spend more on TTL. A manual flash is compatible with virtually all cameras and not that difficult to use. When you buy a flash you will also need to budget for the purchase of accessories. Before anyone else diffusers to soften the light of the flash which will obviously be very hard. Very cheap umbrella or softbox kits are on sale for both hotshoe flashes and those with Bowens attachment – also used in professional ambit. Finally, if you want to use the off-camera flash, as happens very often, you will have to buy radio triggers or make sure you can operate in Master Slave mode. Hoping that this guide to the best flashes for mirrorless and reflex cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic and others) has been of help to you, we also refer you to our other guides in the photography section for further advice, see you soon!