I’ve been a big fan of the Zhiyun lighting for a little while now, I adore the Molus G200 as a studio light and the Molus X100 for product lighting. But what if you are looking for something that can literally fit in your pocket? The fabulous people at Zhiyun have you covered for that too, with the Fiveray M20C.
Out of the box, it’s pretty simple to use. It comes with a few cool accessories and they are all magnetic…yes magnetic. It’s only 20W, but when you can pop it in your pocket, on your camera hotshoe and more, this little light can be VEERY versatile. Let’s have a closer look!
Note: Zhiyun sent the Fiveray M20C kit to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this light are my own.
It is worth noting that there is a Fiveray M20 and a Fiveray M20C version…I am reviewing the Fiveray M20C version. You can find a comparison chart here
Pros
- Runs on batteries and is very small
- Variable controls for power and color temp (2700K — 6500K)
- Minimalist design, Small and lightweight, easily to clip to light stands, your camera and more
- Intelligent cooling with heat sink and fan
- The fan is whisper quiet, great for video
- Easy to turn dials for power and temperature, and simple on/off switch
- All accessories, the diffuser, the grid, and barn doors are all magnetic.
Cons
- The battery is built-in, would be handy to swap batteries in and out
- Battery (on full power) only last 40mins, which can be a pain on a day trip and you can’t swap out the batteries
Zhiyun Riveray M20C — Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications are from their website/marketing material.
- Output Power (Max): 20W
- Color Temperature Range: 2500K~10,000K
- Peak Illuminance: 1950 Lux
- RGB/HSI : Yes (M20C model only)
- Lighting effects: 16 (M20 has 10)
- Magnetic Property: Yes
- Cooling Method: Fan
- Expansion Accessories: Yes (on the M20C model only)
- App Control: Yes (on the M20C model only)
- Battery run time: 40 mins on full power
- Dimensions: 110x110x40 (WxHxD) mm (without accessories)
- Net Weight: 220grams (without accessories)
Zhiyun Riveray M20C — Versatility
You can adjust the light intensity and the color, I like it set to 5600k. But that is really just a personal choice. You can change the colour temperature, so it’s effectively adding gels, which could be handy in certain circumstances.
Ergonomics are great. It does have a fan, which is fairly quiet. The diffuser and grid work quite well to soften and direct the light, espeically when placed on top of the camera.
Build quality
Small and sturdy, dials are firm and stable but easily turned. The accessories are all magnetic, making it a breeze to add and remove.
Out of the box
It comes in a handy carry pouch with the light and adapter, power cable (USB C-type), diffuser, grid, barn doors and Quick Start guide.
Zhiyun Riveray M20C — Power in your pocket
Thanks to some innovative technology this little light might just change the way you see LED lights (if my other reviews haven’t already). Small and compact but powerful enough for macro, a fill light for video and for so many other uses – like watercolor painting. Versatile and adaptable to whatever you want to use it for. And the best part, simple to use.
Mounting
I mounted mine on a (mini) light stand, for general lighting, or even just on my desk. For macro and product photography (with small objects) I mounted it on the camera. There is an adapter which has multiple mounting options. And don’t forget it’s magnetic.
Setup
It’s so simple to use. However, first use I pressed the power button and a little message appeared. To turn the M20C on one quick press and then a longer one. This is handy so you’re not wasting the battery accidentally pressing the power on in your pocket. Adjust the dials for power and color temp. Add the diffuser, grid or barn doors and you’re ready to shoot. It’s that simple. I used it for some macro in the backyard on an extrememly overcast day, early evening. It gave beautiful soft and natural-looking light.
Zhiyun Riveray M20C — A terrific lighting addition to your kit
I actually use this in the studio for my painting (I bet you didn’t know I paint too, right?), as well as popping on the camera for macro photography. It’s a terrific little light and very handy. The fact that it is so small, lightweight and easy to use is a big plus for me. Especially when it’s dark and gloomy, late in the afternoon or during stormy weather, this little light really does do the trick.
Available from Zhiyun or Amazon.
I see lots of headline claims by lighting manufacturers but they never put meat on the bone. Claims of CRI greater than 95 is meaningless unless they specify over how many tones, For photography skin tones are important to lots of us so if they only measure over 7 only tones (7 is often used) normal global skin tones are not accounted for. Also where is the colour spectrum measured? On the BBL? If not all colour rendition claims are useless .What is the life of the LEDs and what happens to the output and rendition over time? There are… Read more »
Well Jeff, some of those may be questions for the manufacturer as I don’t have all the answers. BBL? not sure what you mean there. I honestly haven’t tried it with portraits so I can’t give you all the answers there either. In saying that I am more of a creative portrait photographer so I don’t strive for the ‘perfect’ skin tone. As to the life of the LED…no idea, I doubt anyone really does. I would expect it to diminish over time, like anything else. Nothing in this world last for ever these days. I just played with it… Read more »
This is where I must come clean, I have been in lighting for more than 50 years now and working with LEDs for more than 20 years and yes the standard in quality from LED lighting suppliers goes from absolutely awful to incredibly good. The BBL is a line in the colour gamut where colour temperature is measured. You can state an LED is for example 3000k but if it doesn’t sit on the BBL when measured the light will be tinted. Some manufacturers are way from the BBL. Again there is no reason why LEDs should not have an… Read more »
fair enough, that doesn’t mean all are bad
Absolutely, they are not all bad – maybe including this model. If the manufacturer gave out relevant information you can make your decision based on full knowledge.