Discount code(15%off):ZHIYUNCJ10
only at these two links:
Amazon
and the ZHIYUN Store
You can also pick up the Zhiyun X200RGB Kit at:
Amazon US
Amazon CA
Amazon DE
Amazon UK
B&H
Links to the items as seen in the video above:
Quick Softbox with grid:
Studio Titan Sidekick camera, light, mic and battery station multi-stand:
V-Mount battery with 100W USB-PC in/out:
DJI Pocket 4P
(timecode sync’d b-cam):
Check related posts below for even more links.
Now adays, all lights are great. But the X200 is better in several ways. We are spoiled with capable gear at affordable prices. Light quality is much the same across manufacturers, but real-world use varies considerably. Zhiyun has stepped up to the plate and made the X200 series the best portable professional travel light. Building upon its popular smaller siblings, with increased power, industry-standard V mount plates, and integrated bones mount, make the X 200 RGB my preferred light.
SPOILER FIRST:
More powerful, better built, and quieter in operation than previous compact lights, the X200 builds on Zhiyun’s portable lights in every way. But its genius is the integration of two industry standards: USBC PD and the V-Mount plate for flexible powering options, and integrated full-size Bowens mount for light modifier compatibility. This makes the X200 the leader of the pack of ultra-portable, professional lighting. Small light – pro results.
WHY CARE?
5x brighter than competitors the same size, and 3x brighter than competitors the same weight, Zhiyun’s X200RGB punches way above its size and weight. And if that wasn’t good enough for you, the included custom lens reflector increases the light output to match a 500W bare-bulb fixture. This is the little light that could.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST ME?
I’ve been a professional photographer and now videographer for over 20 years, and I’ve traveled the world shooting weddings, documentaries and corporate work. I’ve never been one to compromise quality even when traveling to remote locations. And the X200RGB has become the light that goes with me everywhere. Why? Because it’s equally useful as a key light indoors for both product and interviews, and outdoors for fill in harsh sun with the included custom lens reflector.
FULL DISCLOSURE:
There’s a clickable table of contents in the description below with links to everything you’ll see in this video. If I’ve missed anything, let me know in the comments. And I want to be transparent with you: I was sent this product without charge, but without strings attached too. No money has been paid, and I get to post this without any input from the company. So as always, I’ll be sharing my honest thoughts – good and bad – giving you the details so you can make your own informed decision.
PROS:
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Design: Compact and ultra-light (830g head-only), Zhiyun lights are easy to pack, and quick to set up
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Included custom lens reflect – small and compact, yet boosts output enough to fill shadows even in harsh sunlight. Zhiyun claims to increase output to the equivalent of a 500W light with near-bare light natural softness, and from my real-world results, though it won’t over-power the sun, it can lift the shadows in harsh lighting enough to make it useful on the brightest of sunny days.
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Integrated Bowens Mount – standardizing on the industry-standard Bowens mounts means I can use all my current light modifiers and not get trapped in a proprietary mounting system.
A MULTITUDE OF POWERING OPTIONS:
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Included AC Powering V-Mount plate: perfect for indoor corporate and studio shooting and full-powered operation
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Integrated V-Mount power plate on light fixture gives up to 75% power with one V-Mount battery
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USBC-PD input for up to 50% power
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Optional Battery Expansion Hub connects two V-Mount batteries to supply 100% power anywhere. Bonus: this hub also includes a USBC PD 100W output.
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Bluetooth control with ZY App – remote control of multiple fixtures makes setup and use faster and easier.
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Power Output = 200W power – enough to push through double diffusion for ultra-soft lighting
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Light Quality: Studio-grade colour accuracy with a CRI of 95+, SSI(D32) 85, and an RGB version covering a full color temperature range from 2500K to 10000K for precise, professional image reproduction.
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Build Quality: the plastic body seems well-made, but you likely won’t see it in rental houses where abuse is a given. But for owner-operators like myself, the build quality gives me confidence to make it my primary light in all but the harshest of conditions.
IN USE:
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I’ve been using the X200RGB for several months and it has proven to be a great key light indoors. Here I’m using it for a series of roving interviews where the client wanted a variety of backgrounds. When I was able to get it closer to my subject, I really liked the quality of light it gave me in such a small package.
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For another project, the X200RGB was also my key light for indoor interviews, and again, blew me away with the quality and power of light I was able to get out of such a tiny kit. I was a solo-shooter in both cases, and having such a powerful light in such a small package made setup and use a joy.
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I knew I wash pushing my luck but wanted to shoot the CEO outdoors with her business in the background. With sun and cloud overhead, I knew it was best to just blast the X200RGB as fill, using the included Lens Reflector. It can’t out-power the sun, but I was impressed by its ability to fill in the shadows even in truly harsh sunlight.
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Product Key Light: The X200RGB has replaced my previous 1×1 light for high-end food and product photography. I prefer to use grids when shooting tabletop, and the X200’s power allows me to add the inner diffusion and the grid while still pushing enough power to be useful. Strong enough to punch through double diffusion and a grid, the X200 produces beautifully soft, directional light.
BATTERY TEST:
Here are the results of my battery tests:
- 67min at 100% 4500K powered by 2x 140Wh V-mount batteries
- 28min at max 75% powered by 1x 99Wh V-Mount battery NOTE: OP (overpower) warning on Neewer V-Mount after 6min at max draw – but continues to work?
- 61min at max 50% powered via usbc-pd of the Neewer 99Wh v-mount battery (rated at 100W output). good to use the v-mount as a ballast, while also removing the OP warning since USBC-PD is regulated (also – no need to rotate dial when powering via USB port?) draw is 84W via PD
- 58min at max 50% powered via the 200W Battery Expansion Hub with One Neewer 99Wh V-mount battery (attached to 1st port),
- over 5hrs of intermittent use at 100% via DJI 1000 Mini Power Station
CONS:
- when using V-Mount batteries you have to press the power button, then rotate the MODE knob to power on. Prefer to have an instant on/off switch, as it’s easy to remove the battery in transport to prevent unwanted battery usage.
- Optional Battery Expansion Hub’s included cable is very short. While this makes it easy to stow and travel with, I would prefer to have a longer cable so I can use the dual battery station as a counter balance when mounting on a long boom.
- Power Efficiency – There’s a trade-off to making it so compact and portable and needing to cool such a powerful light fixture. Knowing its strengths and weaknesses means choosing this light when weight, size and power are a priority over larger options. Hopefully future units can better manage power consumption, but understandable as the fan is required to cool such a powerful, compact light.
- Not weather rated – only a fair-weather light (but personally – I never use lights in the rain!)
The Zhiyun X200RGB VS the Amaran RAY 120:
The Amaran’s build and light quality is wonderful, with a light fixture that is slimmer and more compact than the X200. But I’ve been sadly disappointed with several core design features, namely the use of their proprietary ACE E-Lock mount and its limited powering options.
While the Amaran Ray has a standard ¼-20 on the top of the unit, using it while powered via the USBC power means the cable is sticking straight up, creating strain on the cable while also leaving the DC port exposed to dust and the elements from above.
And sure it would be great to power the Amaran with their PEAK battery with integrated ACE E-lock. But it’s an expensive, proprietary battery that only gives 35minutes of runtime at full power. This makes battery management an issue, as I don’t want to invest in multiple proprietary Amaran PEAK batteries just to use the full power of the Amaran RAY 120. Even worse: when using the included ACE E-Lock mount, the small clips of the ACE E-Lock are the only thing holding your light AND softbox onto your stand, making it the weakest link.
The X200 is slighter larger, but is so much easier to mount and power, making the X200RGB the obvious winner for my daily kit.
WISHLIST
- longer cable from dual battery sled to head unit, to allow the batteries to be used as a counterweight when mounting overhead
- add umbrella mount hole and screw to otherwise excellent included baby pin mount
- remove need to press power then turn knob when powered via battery (not needed when powered via USBc or AC?) via firmware update?
WHO IS IT FOR?
Content Creators and professionals who want a powerful, compact and lightweight light, that is equally useful in the studio as in the field. If you already own V-Mount batteries, this is the light you want.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what’s the bottom line?
Zhiyun pioneered the compact, lightweight LED light market, and the evolution to the X200 line brings it to a new, professional level.
Conforming to industry standard V-Mount powering options, and giving us an integrated bowens mount, this is a professional piece of equipment that I can recommend to both beginners as their first light, and to professional cinematographers who want a great compact, powerful light. Included the lens reflector that gives an equivalent of 500W output makes it an incredible value, giving meaningful fill light even in bright sunlight.
As I’m often working on my own or in small teams, having gear that I trust and that works with my existing arsenal or light modifiers and V-Mount batteries means less hassle and future-proofing my setup. It’s also great to know I have so many options to power the unit when troubleshooting in the field.
The X200RGB has become my always-with-me light. With it’s plethora of powering options, integrated bowens mount, and included lens reflector, it’s truly a workhorse of a tiny, compact light that punches way above it’s price, size and weight. Highly highly recommended for all creators, new and old.
WRAPPING UP
That wraps up this video but before I let you go, I do have a thought of the day to share with you. And the thought of the day is this:
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
Thanks for watching, and if you’ve got something to share, don’t be shy and hit me up in the comments. God bless and I’ll see you in the next video 🙂
