LED lighting is moving forward at a fast pace, giving photographers new options all the time. I’m glad to have the opportunity to check out the Zhiyun Molus X100 COB LED Light as I am always looking for a portable with enough power to light a scene.

The Molus X100 Bi-Color Pocket COB light meets a lot of my criteria in an LED light. It’s not perfect for everything but I can see this light working in a number of scenarios. As an FYI, the Molus X100 is now the main light on my video set.

Pros

  • Cordless light with 100 Watts of power
  • Color rendering index of 95
  • Small package light weight of xxxx
  • DC Power adapter for long shooting situations
  • Quiet fan

Cons

  • Bulb generates accessible heat (treat with caution)
  • Not weather proof
  • 30 minutes of light at full power on battery (time is extended at lower power output)
  • Suggested 28 Watt USB-C charger for 2 1/2 hour charge of battery. To get faster PD charging you need to buy a charger and cord

Zhiyun Molus X100 COB Specifications

  • Output Power: 100W
  • Cooling Method: Active Cooling
  • Power Adapter: Operation Voltage AC100V~240V（50/60HZ)
  • Operation Voltage: DC 24V，PD ≥9V
  • PD Input Power ≥18W
  • Color Temperature: 2700K~6500K
  • Brightness Adjustment Range: 0~100%
  • CRI (RA) ≥95 TLCI ≥97
  • Illuminance 4300K/100% Brightness (1 meter) 3881 Lux 25℃ temperature，indoor illuminance lower than 0.1lux，1m test distance.
  • APP Control Method: Bluetooth
  • Power Supply Method: PD adapter, power adapter, grip battery
  • Operation Temperature: -10℃～40℃
  • Extension: 1/4 General Threaded Hole2 X100 Size (WDH) — 144.594*36.1mm
  • Net Weight 385g
  • X100 Grip Battery
  • X100 Grip Battery Voltage: 22.2V
  • X100 Grip Battery Capacity: 2600mAh 57.72Wh
  • X100 Grip Battery PD Charging Time: 2H33MIN (19.6V/1.4A 28W)
  • X100 Grip Battery QC Charging Time: 2H24MIN (9.7V/3.1A 30W)
  • Condition: 25℃ temperature, X100 is charging when powered off.
  • X100 Grip Battery Type-C Power Supply Power MAX 30W
  • Condition: Powered on with fully-charged X100 grip battery
  1. Set X100 at 100% brightness
  2. Set X100 at 6500K color temperature
  3. Record the time when powered on and record the time when the battery drained
    X100 Grip Battery Runtime (maximum power) 30 min
    X100 Grip Battery Charging Temperature — 0℃～40℃
    X100 Grip Battery Size — 52.89461mm

Zhiyun Molus X100 COB LED Light — COB LED

Chip on board. The COB lights are smaller and more powerful due to the design. Hard to beat. With COB LED technology, the number of LEDs that can be placed in any given area of a display is way higher than with other LED packaging approaches. I’ll let you research more if it interests you. Just know that technology is pushing the limits and making working with lighting easier all the time.

Zhiyun bills this as a ‘pocket light.’ My pockets aren’t big enough to hold the light and battery. But, I agree that the light output from this light in this size package is a winner.

I’m now using the Molus X100 COB LED as the main light on my video set.

Zhiyun Molus X100 COB LED Light — X100 controls

Red button needs to be held down for a moment to activate the light.
When I first started to work with this light I felt that the volume control took forever to get from 0 to 100% lighting. Then, I read the directions! It does move slowly as you turn but that is so you can dial in exactly the power you need. There’s a speed trick. By pushing in the power button it will cycle to 50% power on the first click. Then 100% and back to zero. From those points you can then dial more specific power setting quickly. The same setup works for the color temperature. It cycles through 2700K, 5500K and 6500K. Conveniently the light does remember the last used settings.

Zhiyun Molus X100 COB LED Light — Workarounds

Zhiyun have a ZY Mount Ecosystem line of modifiers for varied light shaping. I haven’t used them, so I can’t comment, other than to say they have them and look like they are designed well. If you already have modifiers using a Bowens mount the Pro kit comes with a nice Bowens mount adapter.

Using the Molus X100 without a modifier in the left image. Showing many different lighting patterns using either a 33 inch shoot through umbrella (great for location work!) or my 43 inch shoot through in different positions. If you would prefer a little harder light you can add the included reflector to tighten up the light pattern through the umbrella.

If you don’t have Bowens mount kit there is a solid workaround. For about 10 bucks you can get an umbrella holder. (for around $15, get two!) Then add a small shoot-through umbrella and you can create some marvellous lighting patterns and look using the X100. A 33 inch shoot through umbrella can be found for around $10 dollars. A 43 inch shoot through umbrella is under $15. I am a fan of shoot through umbrellas because you can get the light source very close to your subject to create flattering light patterns.

Yours in Creative Photography, Bob