Beach2024 Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Action Camera Flashlight
Are you interested in an action camera flashlight? Then this buying guide is tailored for you.
We’ll dive into what to check when acquiring an action camera flashlight and have some recommendations to consider.
This guide is ideal for both seasoned adventurers and first-time action camera users when choosing the best action camera flashlight for their needs
What Is an Action Camera Flashlight?
It is a flashlight that is attached to an action camera to provide supplementary light in low-lit filming conditions.
Do Action Cameras Have a Flashlight When Buying?
Yes, several action cameras come with an in-built flashlight. However, this flashlight is not ideal for filming because its light is inadequate. It is therefore recommended, that one buys an action camera flashlight if they plan on filming in low light conditions.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Action Camera Flashlight
Advantages
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An action camera flashlight has improved visibility which provides additional light to brighten up scenes and make it easier to see in dark conditions.
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The visibility benefit also helps one to improve their footage’s quality by reducing noise and graininess in videos. Improved footage quality guarantees clearer and sharper footage.
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A good number of action camera flashlights have been built with features such as shock-resistant and weatherproof casing which makes them durable and rugged. These features are ideal when filming outdoors in harsh weather conditions.
Photo by Akhil Yerabati on Unsplash
Disadvantages
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Flashlights do add weight to cameras making them less portable and cumbersome to operate. This is very problematic in situations where the cameraman must move a lot and carry multiple accessories.
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Despite providing good lighting in dark conditions, flashlights are limited to a certain range which makes it difficult to create footage of objects far away or in a large space.
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Some action camera flashlights have been known to generate a lot of heat which can damage a camera mounted close to the flashlight.
How to Choose an Action Camera Flashlight?
1. Camera Compatibility
Not all cameras and flashlights are compatible with each other, it is important to do thorough research on the device before making any purchase. You must consider the type of camera you want to use to buy the right flashlight. There are some camera flashlights such as DSLRs, mirrorless, and GoPro are designed for specific cameras.
2. Size and Weight
The size and weight of a flashlight should be able to be carried around conveniently and fit in a pocket or a bag while on the go. However, to achieve a soft light effect, one might have to consider a larger light source because the compact-sized light source may not be suitable enough.
3. Color Temperature
Color temperature in photography refers to the color of the light the flashlight emits and is measured in Kelvin (K). The color accuracy of footage captured with an action camera depends on the color temperature of the flashlight. Flashlights emitting bluish light produce cold and unnatural footage while those that emit yellowish or orangish light often distort the true color of the subjects.
Photo by Habib Dadkhah on Unsplash
It is important to consider a flashlight with multiple LEDs and various diffusers to ensure optimal lighting conditions when filming with an action camera. These features often create natural-looking conditions avoiding the harsh shadows and depth issues that arise when using natural or single light source.
4. Battery Life
A flashlight’s battery life determines its performance and runtime. As such, it is advisable to go for long-battery life flashlights because they are useful during extended outdoor shootings and other emergency situations.
Long battery life is determined by its type, capacity, durability, and power output. It is recommended to go for a lithium-ion battery-powered flashlight because they have high capacity, less weight, and a long shelf life. Rechargeable batteries are ideal because they are less costly and environmentally friendly.
5. Lumens
Lumens are the total volume of light a flashlight can emit. Higher lumens produce brighter light which is ideal for shooting in dark conditions. Shooting in bright conditions will require a lower-lumen flashlight. Depending on the background features of the shooting environment, it is important to select a flashlight with the right lumen for the footage to be effective.
6. Weatherproof
Weatherproof flashlights are ideal in harsh weather conditions like snow, extreme temperatures, and rain. However, it is important to check the flashlight’s IP rating to know what level of extreme conditions the flashlight can withstand. Flashlights with high IP ratings like 68 are designed to withstand water and dust which are common during outdoor filming.
How to Make the Most Out of an Action Camera Flashlight?
- Aperture: Setting your aperture at the lowest setting allows an action camera flashlight to take photos with a shallow depth field. The subject becomes the focus of the footage with the background blurred.
- Diffusers: The bright nature of action camera flashlights can cause a lens flare. Diffusers are used to soften the light.
- Shutter Speed: Faster settings on shutter speeds produce sharper images because you will be able to freeze the action and avoid blur.
- ISO: The ISO setting determines the sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO settings mean you will capture more light but may result in grainy images.
- White Balance: The action camera flashlight usually shifts colors towards the blue end of the spectrum because of the white color temperature. Setting the white balance to warmer settings avoids color distortion.
Top 10 Action Camera Flashlight
1. Suptig Waterproof Action Camera Dive Lights
Source: amazon.com
Suptig waterproof action camera dive lights are compatible with many cameras and are used for providing high-quality lighting during underwater filming. They are made with powerful LED lights with the capability to illuminate dark corners of the ocean for a perfect foot underwater. It is mostly used in deep-sea explorations because of its water waterproof levels of up to 147 ft (45m).
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro, Pentax Panasonic SLR, Sony DSLR, Canon DSLR, Nikon DSLR, Samsung DSLR
- Material: Stainless steel
- Lumens: 5000
- Battery life: 2600Mha built-in lithium battery
- Lighting modes: White, red, pink, blue, golden
- Dimension: 4.33x 3.93x2.16 inch
- Weight: 0.43lb
Pros
- Compatible with many camera types
- Waterproof light
- Different lighting modes are available
- Long battery life.
- Durable
Cons
- Waterproof up to only 147ft
2. ULANZI VL120 RGB Video Light
Source: amazon.com
The ULANZI VL 120 RGB Video Light is designed for vlogging and photography. It is a compact on-camera LED light with high versatility and a 3100mAh in-built rechargeable battery. The flashlight is excellent in color accuracy and consistent in high color rendering index and temperature ranging between 2500K to 9000K
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro, Nikon DSLR
- Battery life: 15hrs (3100Ah battery)
- Lighting modes: 120 RGB colors
- Color temperature: 2500-9000K
Pros
- Contains both warm and cold colors
- Fully adjustable lights
- Small sized
- Long battery life
Cons
- Shorter battery life compared to other models.
3. VIJIM VL100C
Source: amazon.com
VIJIM VL 100C is considered a top-quality camera light having three color modes (warm, natural, and cold) that are adjustable. Its 2000mAh in-built rechargeable battery supports a Type-C charging port, a universal hot shoe adapter and a multi-mount design with four cold shoe mounts. The hot shoe adapter can be attached to a tripod, light stand, microphone mount or camera.
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 3-10, GoPro Max, GoPro Fusion, Sony DSLR, Canon DSLR, Nikon DSLR, and Panasonic SLR.
- Lumens: 2000
- Battery life: 3 hrs ( 2000mAh)
- Lighting modes: Warm, nature, and cold light
- Color temperature: 2500K-6500K
- Power: 5w
Pros
- USB Type-C charging
Cons
- The charging cable is short.
4. ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights
Source: amazon.com
The ULANZI VL 49 RGB light is known for its 360-degree full-color spectrum. This feature allows one to work with a wide range of hues to achieve the perfect lighting for footage. The light is ideal for on-the-go shooting because its three cold shoe mounts make it compatible with not only your camera but also tripods and other equipment. The magnetic aspect of the light means it can be attached to any metallic suffer making it more versatile.
Specification
- Compatibility: Canon DSLR, Panasonic DSLR, Sony DSLR, Nikon DSLR, Pentax
- Lumens: 800 LUX
- Battery life: Min brightness- 10hrs, Max brightness 2 hrs on average (2000 mAh)
- Lighting modes: Warm, natural, cool
- Led Beads: 60 high-color rendering led beads
- Color temperature: 2500K-9000K
- Lighting angle - 120 degrees
Pros
- Considered ideal for vlogging.
- The three different color temperatures make it able to adjust the light to match your shooting conditions.
- Its high color rendering index makes your video look accurate and natural.
- The wide-angle 120-degree beam ensures the illumination of your subject.
Cons
- The VL49 is a bit expensive.
5. VL-81 LED Video Light
Source: amazon.com
VL-81 LED video light comes with a softbox used for diffusing light to provide even illumination for portrait vlogging and photography. Its size, weight, and cold shoe mount make it ideal for portability and mounting on DSLR cameras, camcorders, or action cameras. VL-81 provides versatility in various shooting settings.
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 3-10, GoPro Max, GoPro Fusion, Sony DSLR, Canon DSLR, Nikon DSLR, and Panasonic SLR.
- Lumens: Up to 850
- Battery life: Appx 3hrs (3000mAh)
- Lighting modes: Bi-color ( Warm light and White Light)
- Color temperature: 3200K-5600K
Pros
- The bright nature of the light means it can be used in low-light conditions.
- Long battery life
- The color temperature is adjustable for perfect color needs.
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- It is not waterproof.
- It lacks a casing, one must be careful to avoid damage.
6. VIJIM VL120 LED
Source: amazon.com
The VIJIM VL 120 LED light contains six color filters which gives room for more creativity in lighting effects. With a 3200K – 6500K LED panel, its light can be adjusted depending on the shooting conditions and styles. This on-camera video light is ideal for enhancing the videography and photography experience because of its lightweight which makes it more portable.
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 3-10, GoPro Max, GoPro Fusion, Sony DSLR, Canon DSLR, Nikon DSLR, and Panasonic SLR.
- Lumens: 1200
- Battery life: 2.5 hrs (3100mAh)
- Lighting modes: Bi-color (Warm light, cool light.)
- Input voltage: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz
- Output voltage: 12V DC, 2A
- Power consumption: 24W
- Color temperature: 3200-6500K
- CRI: >95 Luminous flux: 1200lm
- Dimensions: 120x120x200mm
- Weight: 1.2kg
Pros
- Its high color rendering index (CRI) of 95, means it can accurately reproduce the colors in the shooting setting.
- The wide color temperature range of 3200-6500K enables one to easily choose their perfect light.
- A high luminous flux of 1200lm makes it bright enough to light up a wide-angle low-light area.
- It is very lightweight and easy to carry around and store.
- The VIJIM VL120 LED light comes with a one-year warranty.
Cons
- It is not waterproof.
7. VILTROX LED
Source: amazon.com
VILTROX LED video light is ideal for video conferencing and broadcasting because of its top performance capabilities. It has adjustable brightness, color temperature settings, a rechargeable in-built lithium battery and a USB charging port. VILTROX is also very compact and lightweight making it easy to carry around and store.
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 3-10, GoPro Max, GoPro Fusion, Sony DSLR, Canon DSLR, Nikon DSLR, and Panasonic SLR.
- Lumens: 720
- Battery life: 1.2 hrs (3000mAh)
- Lighting modes:
- Color temperature: 2500K-8500K
- Size: 110 x 68 x 14 mm
- Weight: 108g
- Power: 8w
Pros
- Comes with a diffuser
- Built-in battery
- Color temperature dial
- Multiple lighting modes
Cons
- Battery life could be advanced
- It is a bit expensive
8. Simorr LED Video Light
Source: amazon.com
The Simorr LED light is considered a high-quality flashlight providing bright light consistently in low-light environments. This flashlight has a powerful CRI 96+ LED bead with a 120-degree wide beam producing vibrant and natural color tones for excellent filming.
Specification
- Compatibility: Nikon DSLR, Sony DSLR, Canon DSLR
- Lumens: 300
- Battery life: Appx 2hrs (2200mAh)
- Lighting modes: Full RGB
- Color temperature: 2700k - 6500K
Pros
- Lightweight and slim
- Fully adjustable color temperature
- It has a battery life indicator
- Comes with a hot shoe mount
Cons
- Shorter battery life compared to other models.
9. Suptig High Power Dimmable
Source: amazon.com
Suptig High Power Dimmable flashlight is a highly reliable lighting solution that is compatible with many action cameras such as GoPro. The flashlight is versatile with a battery capacity of 1050mAh which provides up to 6 hours of runtime. Suptig High Power has a waterproofing rating of 147 ft (45m) which makes it ideal for underwater filming.
Specification
- Compatibility: GoPro Hero 3-10, GoPro Max, GoPro Fusion, Sony DSLR Canon, Nikon, and Panasonic SLR.
- Lumens: 300
- Battery life: 1.5 hrs (1050mAh)
- Lighting modes: HI, LOW, SOS
- Color temperature: 5600K-6000K
Pros
- Very bright
- Dimmable
- Long battery life
- Compatible with cameras
Cons
- Shorter battery life compared to other models.
10. VILTROX VL-162T
Source: amazon.com
The VILTROX VL-162 LED flashlight comes with an in-built LCD which makes it easier to adjust the light settings. This flashlight has a white filter that softens the light resulting in a more natural lighting effect. It has a rechargeable battery making it a convenient power source.
Specification
- Compatibility: Camcorders and DSLR
- Lumens: 1070
- Battery life: 3 hrs
- Lighting modes: White, Red, Green, Blue
- Color temperature: 3300K- 5600K
- Power: 12w
Pros
- Variable color temperature
- Lightweight and portable
- Rechargeable battery
- Multiple lighting modes
Cons
- The battery AC adapter is not included.
11. LitraTorch 2.0 Action Camera Flashlight
Source: amazon.com
Litra Troch 2.0 flashlight is built for harsh environments and underwater filming with a waterproof capability of up to 60 ft. It also includes a mount and an in-built magnet making it easily attached to surfaces and mounting positions.
Specifications
- Lumens: 800
- Battery life: 4 hrs
- Color temperature: 5700k
- Size: 1.5in x 1.5in x 1.65in
- Weight: 90 Grams
- Connectivity: USB
Pros
- High mounting Capabilities
- Uses standard chargers
- Excellent construction
- Portable
Cons
- Short battery life.
- Expensive
Conclusion
We sure hope that this guide has significantly contributed towards your choice of action camera flashlight that suits your needs. We also have more interesting articles on action cameras, such as action camera microphone attachment, you can have a look. We wish you a Happy Recording.
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