If you’re into adventure photography, you know how important it is to have the right equipment. Imagine the thrill of taking images of the shadows and the fresh sunrise or capturing the breathtaking experience of scuba diving, exciting right? And suddenly, the low-light setting becomes an obstacle between your perfect shot, chaotic! Now, even the best cameras can provide this poor quality because their sensors and lenses may not meet the lighting requirements. In such cases, having a good Action Camera Flashlight can be your go-to equipment and provide a constant light source for your low-light shooting schedule.
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What is an Action Camera Flashlight?
An Action Camera Flashlight is a small attachable light source designed for action cameras. It works as an additional light source during low-light filming conditions. It not only improves lighting but also the image or video quality in dark settings as well.
Types of Action Camera Flashlight
Before understanding how to choose the best Action Camera Flashlight?, you need to understand what types of Action Camera Flashlight are available. The three main types are listed below:
1. Detachable Action Camera Flashlights:
This type of flashlight can be easily attached and detached from your action camera. It is usually attached through a mounting system for securing the flashlight on the camera. Being a removable option the detachable flashlights offer flexibility and beam distance while shooting. But it makes the camera bulkier in addition to carrying the attachment settings.
2. Inbuilt Action Camera Flashlights:
As the name suggests, this flashlight is a part of the action camera itself. Being an inbuilt flashlight, there is no need to carry any attachment tool, so it is pretty convenient to carry and use. But this advantage can also be an obstacle, as this flashlight has a restricted beam distance and brightness.
3. External Action Camera Flashlights:
These flashlights come as a separate unit and are not concerned with the camera. These are the most flexible options if that is what you are looking for.
How to Choose The Best Action Camera Flashlight?
Now that you have an idea about what types of flashlights are available for your action camera, it’s time to know which factors you need to consider while choosing the Best Action Camera Flashlight for yourself. Carefully consider the listed factors before purchasing your ideal camera flashlight.
1. Camera Compatibility
The structure and design of different cameras vary from model to model. So it’s not possible to fit in any flashlight with any camera. The design of your camera should match with the mounting system of the flashlight.
2. Battery Life
If you are an adventure photographer, chances are you love to shoot outdoors. While shooting in low-light settings for long periods the battery of your flashlight should not be a problem. To make sure your flashlight supports you during your adventures, it must have a large battery capacity. Lithium-ion batteries can be a good choice for high-capacity batteries.
3. Brightness
Flashlight being an equipment light source, it becomes to consider its brightness values. If your requirement is for dark settings, consider having a flashlight with higher lumens. Lumens means the amount of visible light generated by the flashlight. Next, you need to understand the Color Temperature. Different flashlights emit different light colors, and this impacts the color accuracy of your output.
4. Weatherproof Qualities
No doubt that the camera does wonders in studios and indoors. But the thrill of capturing moments in open areas, and natural habitats is unmatched. If you are someone who loves to film on a rainy day or in interesting weather, consider having a weatherproof flashlight. Those flashlights are designed to handle harsh weather conditions without compromising quality. Checking the IP rating of the flashlight can be a good way to know its level of protection against water and dust.
5. Durability
When it comes to carrying your flashlight for outdoor adventures, you need to make sure it has a strong and durable body. Stainless steel or aluminum bodies can be a good choice as they can handle a rough environment.
6. Size and Weight
Flashlights being portable equipment should be lightweight and small enough to carry. Though these compact flashlights can be convenient to carry, remember they may emit harsh light.
Now these are some major factors to consider while purchasing an Action Camera Flashlight, it’s up to you and your shooting needs. So make sure the flashlight you choose meets your shooting and camera needs.
Top 4 Action Camera Flashlight
1. Suptig Video Lighting Dive Light Underwater Lights
If you are an underwater enthusiast and you love to capture the beauty of oceans, this underwater LED flashlight is for you! This Action Camera Flashlight illuminates high-quality light for perfect underwater shots. With 72 lamps and 5 different color lighting modes, it is even better.
Specific Features:
Compatibility – GoPro, Canon SLR, Nikon SLR, Sony SLR, Panasonic SLR, Pentax SLR
Range – 147 feet (45 m) underwater.
Battery life – Built-in Lithium battery with 2600Mha with a battery life ranging between 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours (depending upon different lights)
Material – Stainless steel
Brightness – it ranges between 500 lux (for red lights) to 3800 lux (for white light) for different lights.
Dimension and weight – 4.33 inch x 3.93 inch x 2.16 inch and 0.43lb
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Features 5 different light modes and colors
- This is compatible with various cameras.
Cons:
- Limited range underwater
This product is available here.
2. GoPro Light Mod
This is one of the high battery capacity flashlights with a small and compact design which comes in handy while carrying. The head and body of the Light Mod are adjustable, so you can aim the light any way you want.
Specific Features:
Compatibility – Can be connected to HERO 8, 9, 10 Black using media mod
Range – 10m underwater.
Battery life – One Lithium-lon battery with a battery life of 6 hours.
Brightness – 4 levels up to 200 lumens
Dimension and weight – 2 x 4 x 3 cm; 62 Grams (5.3 ounces).
Pros:
- Light-weight and small, for easy portability.
- Its waterproof features come in handy while shooting underwater.
- It has a high battery life!
Cons:
- It has a very limited light range of about 10 meters(33 ft).
This product is available here.
3. VIJIM VL-81 LED Video Light
VL-81 LED Video Light is a go-to solution for videographers and photographers. The light is accompanied by a softbox that diffuses the light and provides more even lighting, ideal for portraits and vlogs. Its shoe mount can be attached to an action camera, DSLR, and camcorder as well.
Specific Features:
Compatibility – Compatible with HERO 5-8, Sony DSLR, Nikon DSLR, Panasonic DSLR and Canon DSLR.
Battery life – Built-in Lithium battery with 3000Mha with a battery life of between 150 to 480 minutes.
Brightness – 850 lumens
Color Temperature – 3200K-5600K
Pros:
- Long battery life.
- Color temperature adjustments
- Compatible and lightweight
Cons:
- This is not waterproof.
This product is available here.
4. Canon Speedlite 430EX III-RT Flash
This is an external camera flashlight designed for Canon EOS cameras. This flashlight supports various photography genres like portraits or any event photography. The flash can produce an output of 43 (m; ISO 100) with a guide number. It also has a rear LCD panel that displays details like zoom, head position, etc.
Dimensions and weight – 4.1 x 4.2 x 2.9 inches and 10.4 ounces
Pros:
- It supports manual flash and multi-flash.
- with a recycle time of 0.1 to 3 seconds, you can take multiple shots consecutively.
Cons:
- It is not accompanied by a built-in diffuser.
This product is available here.
That’s it! We hope you have got all the answers to your questions. Take these factors into consideration while choosing your Action Camera Flashlight. But the final call should always be your shooting needs. So, which one have you decided to buy let us know!
FAQ
What is the purpose of the action camera?
An action camera is a small, rugged, waterproof digital camera designed for capturing immersive action shots. They allow you to jump right in and become part of the adventure to capture photos and videos in a way that traditional cameras or smartphones just can’t.
Do action cameras have flash?
Unlike most DSLRs, action cameras don’t have flash. However, what you’re looking for is a continuous light source – an ‘on-camera’ light.
Can action cameras take pictures?
An action camera or action camera is a digital camera designed for recording action while being immersed in it. They typically can take photos in burst mode and time-lapse mode as well as record high-definition video.
What are the advantages of action cameras?
A critical advantage of a 4K action camera is its great goal. Its 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution offers more detail than standard high-definition cameras. This allows for sharp and clear film when zoomed in or cropped in at any event.
