For the longest time, I haven't been this thrilled about a new product launch, especially when it comes to something as seemingly simple as a pocket light. However, Zhiyun has truly impressed me with their latest innovation, a pocket-sized lighting solution that seamlessly integrates into my workflow. It's important to note that I'm not being prompted or compensated for this article; I genuinely want to share my excitement about this pocket light, believing it could greatly benefit many of you.
Let's dive into the specifics of the M20C and whether it's the perfect addition to your setup. The M20C is a compact pocket light, comparable in size to half a Rubik's Cube. Its lightweight design allows you to carry it effortlessly wherever you go, making it an indispensable accessory. Available in two versions – the M20, featuring adjustable brightness and temperature, and the M20C, a premium model equipped with full RGB and HSI settings – both lamps boast robust performance and the ability to create unique lighting effects.
Beyond the sleek industrial design and intelligent features, my focus lies on fundamental aspects such as brightness, weight, colour accuracy, user experience, and battery life. Let's explore these essential features in more details.
During our week-long testing period, utilising the lights daily for various creative photography styles, the M20C pleasantly surprised me with its impressive battery life. The manufacturer claims over 40 minutes at full power, a remarkable feat considering its strength. Shooting videos and capturing photographs during the blue hour, even at the brightest settings for most of the time, we effortlessly completed an hour-long photoshoot without worrying about battery life.
This extended battery performance may be attributed to the implementation of a new cooling system, although the technical details remain beyond my scope. What I can confirm is that the M20C, despite being small and lightweight – Zhiyun compares its size to a sticky note, though it's slightly thicker – undeniably earns its title as a perfect pocket light, easily fitting into any pocket.
The M20C offers a full spectrum of RGB colors, allowing you to adjust brightness and saturation. Surprisingly, the saturation feature proved more useful than expected, becoming currently a must-have for me in LED lights. All these settings are conveniently controllable through a dedicated app on your smartphone.
Included in the standard package is a magnetic cage, enabling you to attach the lamp to various stands, or simply stick it to any magnetic surface. The Combo package, however, takes it a step further, providing a grid, diffuser, and four barn doors for improved light control. While I may not personally opt for barn doors on such a compact light, the magnetic grid in the Combo package is a game-changer. Although the plastic diffuser doesn't soften the light as much as I'd like it to, and shadows remain somewhat pronounced, these are minor grievances considering the M20C's overall superiority. Considering its market price, it effortlessly outshines its competition.
You check the M20C yourself here: https://eu.zhiyun-tech.com/r_J7sls6UTnbi7
(This is an affiliate link. That means that if you purchase a product recommended by us, we receive a small cut of that sale. This don't cost you anything extra, but it can compensate my free work.)
