Zhiyun Fiveray M20/M20C Review: Best Pocket Filming Lights?

Introducing the Zhiyun Fiveray M20/M20C: Compact, powerful, and versatile. In this detailed review, we delve into this innovative lighting solution’s features, accessories, and performance. With options ranging from bi-color to full RGB, and with or without accessories, there’s a variant to suit every need. Join us as we explore the Fiveray M20/M20C adjustable color temperature, impressive luminous flux, and additional RGB capabilities. From its compact design to its modular accessories, this light offers flexibility and convenience. Stay tuned as we assess its performance against other lights on the market and explore its app-controlled features. Despite its exceptional performance, one drawback stands out: the variable fan noise. However, if you can overlook this, the Fiveray M20/M20C is a highly recommended lighting solution, especially for those seeking versatility and portability.

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Unboxing and Accessories

The unboxing experience reveals sleek and lightweight lights, weighing just 200 grams each. With accessories included, it totals around 370 grams. The kit comprises a carrying pouch, USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, and the following accessories:

Diffusion Panel: Softens the light output and attaches magnetically for ease of use.
Honeycomb Grid: Focuses the light to a 45-degree angle, enhancing control over the lighting direction.
The 4-Leaf Barn Doors: Come with a handy numbered notation to show which order to fold them in.

Design

I got interested in this new lighting gear called the Zhiyun Fiveray M20/M20C lights. They’re small but strong lights that can make my photos and videos look amazing. When I held one, I was surprised at how light it was, just 200 grams. Even with all the extra stuff, it was still easy to carry at 370 grams.

These lights are designed well. They’re small, only 3×3 inches, but packed with features. I can power them up in different ways because they have USB Type-C connections. They also have a battery and some knobs to control brightness and color.

What’s cool is all the stuff that comes with these lights. There’s a cage with three spots to attach other gear easily. So, I can customize my setup exactly how I want. If I want softer light, there’s a panel to make it gentler. And if I need precise lighting, there’s a grid to focus the light exactly where I want it. Plus, there are metal doors to shape the light just right. With these lights, my creativity shines.

They’re small but powerful, and with all the extras, every shoot feels like an adventure. Whether I’m capturing bright city scenes or moody moments, these lights are always there to help me make the perfect shot.

Controls

The Zhiyun Fiveray M20/M20C’s light effects are managed through two rear buttons/dials, a familiar setup for those accustomed to LED lighting controls. The right-hand button/dial cycles through settings or lighting modes, while the left dial adjusts settings like brightness with precision, in one-percent increments, or can be pressed to cycle through presets (e.g., 0%-50%-100%) swiftly.

This control scheme is intuitive and user-friendly. The dials offer resistance, minimize accidental adjustments, and require deliberate turning to effect significant changes. An inadvertent twist typically results in only a slight adjustment, mitigating errors. However, transitioning from HSI color mode back to normal CCT requires cycling through all modes, including the settings menu, which can be a minor inconvenience.

Light Quality and Effects

The Fiveray M20 light is like a little wizard in your hands, offering a range of colors that make your subjects look their best. With options from warm to cool, it’s like having the perfect sunlight anytime, anywhere. The M20C version even has some extra tricks up its sleeve with funky RGB colors.

The kit comes with handy add-ons like a diffuser and barn doors, which snap on easily thanks to magnets. It’s like putting together a puzzle without the frustration. These add-ons help you control the light just the way you want, whether you’re shooting a portrait or capturing your latest culinary masterpiece.

Even without all the bells and whistles, the light is still soft and consistent, making everything look just right. And when you add the diffuser, it’s like stepping into a soft, dreamy world where every shot is perfect.

For such a small package, the Fiveray M20 packs a punch. It’s bright and accurate, giving you professional-quality results without the hassle. And if you opt for the M20C, you can dive into a whole world of colorful creativity.

Performance

The Zhiyun Fiveray M20/M20C LED panel offers brightness suitable for vlogging or background lighting in videos. While not as powerful as some COB options like the Molus X100 or Molus G60, it compensates with built-in battery convenience and versatile HSI colors and effects. Choosing between power and convenience depends on your needs.

The light quality is good, with a reliable CRI color rating. Minor color adjustments can be made for better accuracy, and independent RGB balance control is available for specific tones, requiring some expertise.

The M20/M20C offers a wide HSI color spectrum, with controls for brightness and saturation, catering to diverse creative needs. While color transitions are generally smooth, occasional jumps between major hues may occur.

A variety of lighting effects are included, from classic ones like broken bulbs and TVs to color-based ones like police cars and discos. Controls allow customization of cycle speeds, color numbers, and overall appearance, providing ample creative flexibility.

The M20C brings a cool upgrade with its colorful RGB lighting. You get a bunch of different colors to play with, and you can tweak them just right with the dimming feature. There’s even a Green-Magenta control for balancing colors in photos and videos.

Plus, there are 16 different lighting modes to experiment with. You can choose from cool effects and set the mood with immersive RGB vibes. It’s like having a whole bunch of lighting options at your fingertips to jazz up any scene.

App Connectivity

The FIVERAY M20/M20C light used the ZY Vega app from Zhiyun to control it. You can download this app for free on your phone. It was easy to set up, especially on my Android phone. Once I allowed it to access everything it needed, connecting to the light was quick.

I had used an older version of this app before, and it had a lot of problems. But it seems like Zhiyun fixed them because the new version works much better. I had no trouble using the app to control the M20/M20C light.

What amazed me was how the ZY Vega app can control the M20/M20C light using Bluetooth. It lets you adjust lots of settings without even touching the light itself. It’s like having a remote control for your lights right on your phone.

Battery

The Fiveray M20C incorporates the Mark II iteration of Zhiyun’s DynaVort cooling system, a combination of a fan and heat sink designed to maintain the light’s temperature at a manageable level. This feature proves invaluable during prolonged use, ensuring the light remains comfortably warm without overheating. Notably, the system operates with minimal noise, with only a faint whir audible at full capacity, virtually imperceptible during filming sessions.

Power management proves efficient with the Zhiyun Fiveray M20C, particularly when utilizing a sufficiently powerful USB-C PD plug. This setup allows for continuous operation at maximum output while simultaneously recharging the battery. In my testing, I found the battery life to exceed initial expectations, delivering several hours of usage at lower settings and approximately 45 minutes at full power. Additionally, the option to power the M20C via USB-C PD provides added flexibility, enabling users to draw power from various sources, including wall outlets and high-output power banks.

Despite its commendable performance, I encountered a peculiar issue with certain USB-C chargers and cables. While some effectively powered the light during operation, they failed to charge the battery when the light was off, resulting in an unusual high-pitched beeping sound and flashing battery indicator. However, this issue was easily resolved by using a lower-powered charger, though I found this behavior somewhat perplexing.

The manufacturer’s specified 40-minute runtime at maximum brightness aligns with my initial testing at home, but real-world conditions may yield different results, which I aim to evaluate in field scenarios. Nonetheless, my experience thus far has been satisfactory, with the battery consistently meeting the demands of typical shooting sessions. Given the inability to swap batteries on the fly, reliance on a single charge is paramount, making the M20C’s ability to charge while in use a valuable asset for on-the-go photographers. With the included USB-C cable, users can conveniently replenish power from portable battery packs, ensuring uninterrupted shooting sessions even in remote locations.

Verdict

The ZHIYUN Fiveray M20/M20C shines bright with its compact design and powerful lighting capabilities, making it a go-to choice for both photographers and videographers alike. The M20C takes it up a notch with its RGB and wireless features, offering a plethora of creative lighting effects in a small package. Despite its slightly higher cost, the added functionalities make it a worthwhile investment for those looking to elevate their lighting setups.

The 20W power rating of the M20C proves to be just right for its size and versatility. Its ability to accommodate lighting modifiers and precisely adjust color and brightness allows users to experiment and explore various lighting scenarios with ease. However, it’s important to note that at full power, the M20C has a relatively short battery life of around 40 minutes. Fortunately, the option for PD power provides an extended runtime, ensuring uninterrupted shooting sessions, especially during outdoor shoots or extended studio sessions.

During rigorous outdoor shoots spanning over two hours in chilly temperatures, the M20C, coupled with a SmallRig VB99 Pro for additional power, performed flawlessly. The efficient cooling system kept the temperature in check, ensuring consistent performance throughout the shoot. In studio settings, where power consumption is reduced, the M20C continued to impress without any issues, further solidifying its reliability across various shooting environments.

The intuitive control offered by the accompanying app makes operating the M20C a breeze, enhancing its user-friendly design. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a novice, the M20C’s compactness and versatility, combined with its advanced control capabilities, make it a standout choice for all your lighting needs. From on-the-go shoots to intricate studio setups, the ZHIYUN Fiveray M20C proves to be a versatile lighting companion that’s worth every penny.