The first thing that you will notice is that it looks like a soda can. It’s small, compact with a cylindrical body, and a round flash head. The flash body looks like a scaled-down version of the AD300 Pro, but it comes with a round Fresnel flash head similar to the Godox V1. Unlike this Speedlight, the AD100 Pro has been designed as an off-camera flash. This new strobe has been considered to fix directly to a light-stand using a bracket (AD-E2 included).
Highly portable, you can throw it in your pocket or bag, making your photography journey a breeze. Why not go for a 6 pack and make it a party!
Pros & Cons:
For:
- Convenient small size
- Performance & compatibility
- Battery life
Against:
- No Master compatibility, only Slave Mode
- Perhaps the tag-price is high compared to the power it supplies
Whom is this strobe for?
Probably not for studio photographers, but content creators that are constantly working in different locations. The newly announced Godox AD100Pro seems to blur the lines between strobes and speedlights. With its small form factor and lightweight design, Godox has seemed to focus on ensuring that this strobe was as portable as possible for photographers constantly on the move.
[Related Reading: Godox V1 Review | A Speedlight Disguised as a Studio Strobe]
Part of the Ecosystem
It has been almost one year since Godox released its last strobe, the Godox AD300 Pro. It seems that Godox has put much of its focus on LED lights in the last months. So far, they have released five different types of lighting devices, the most popular ones like the Godox VL series and Godox SL II series.
Three key aspects
- Size
A can-shaped design and weighs about 18.5 oz. (524g), including its battery. Many would assume this light would be about half as powerful as the AD 200 but that’s not the case.
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- Dimensions: 120*76*76mm
- Net Weight: 524g (battery included)
- Power
-
- Power output: 9 Steps, 1/256~1/1. I have tested it personally for about two weeks and found that the Godox AD100 Pro is similar to the Godox V1 and the AD200 Pro in power output.
- Battery life:
-
- Godox AD100 Pro – 2600mAh
- Godox AD200 Pro – 2900mAh
- Godox V1 – 2600mAh
- Price
Good to Know
A 2.4GHz Godox X-system radio receiver is built-in, and the unit uses a removable 2600mAh lithium battery that claims to support 360 full-power pops from a single charge (it is the same battery used by the Godox V1). Recycle time is 1.5 seconds. Power control is from full to 1/256 output in manual mode in (1/3 or 1/10 stop increments), but you can also use the lamp in TTL mode and with high-speed sync. Full power is 100Ws. There is a 1.8-watt LED modeling lamp.
On the side of the flash are 1/4″-20 tripod sockets for mounting to light stand adapters. The front of the Fresnel is the same as that used by the V1 and AD200 round-head adapters, so it works with the AK-R1 accessory kit and with the Godox S2 adapter for Bowens softboxes. There is a 28–85mm manual zoom to adjust the beam. The device weighs 524 grams including the battery.
Connectivity
It works with major camera brands by connecting the X1, X2 or XPRO trigger to your camera. Godox flashes, including the AD100Pro, are compatible with cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, and Sony. Utilizing Godox X wireless technology, the AD100Pro can be used across 32 wireless channels in up to 5 groups. The wireless range is just under 330′ (100m).
- Maximum range approximately: approx. 100m
- No. of groups: 5 groups (A, B, C, D & E)
- No. of channels: 32 channels with 99 IDs
- Master/Slave: Slave only unit. Cannot act as a Master.
High-speed Sync
In terms of sync speed, via high-speed sync (HSS), you can shoot with shutter speeds as fast as 1/8,000s. Additional flash modes include first-curtain sync and second curtain sync. Recycle time ranges from 0.01-1.5 second, depending upon flash power.
Power
100Ws output at full power. Godox has not released Guide Number data for this model. A typical speed light has a maximum output of 60-75Ws so the AD100 Pro is approximately 30-40% more powerful. The Godox AD100 Pro is half as powerful as the Godox AD200 / 200 Pro (1 stop less) and a third of the power of the Godox AD300 Pro.
Battery
As we mentioned before, the lithium battery that ships with the AD100 Pro will get you 360 full-power flashes on a single charge, and recycles full-power flashes in just 1.5 seconds. Godox V1 users will be happy to know that the AD100 Pro and V1 use the same battery!
Accessories
Godox has an extensive ecosystem built around the AK-R1 Accessory Kit. Like the V1 and AD200 Round Head, the AD100 Pro can use these clever, stackable magnetic accessories as well. Wish this little flash was a bare-bulb-style strobe? Attach the dome diffuser. Need a small pop of color? Gels click in place elegantly with no gaffer tape required. Add an AK-R1 kit to your strobe using the dropdown menu above!
Small lens-sized Portable Flash
The small, circular body of the AD100 Pro allows it to place nicely into most photography bags alongside lenses and other camera accessories. This allows for easy portability and the ability to carry a very powerful flash! The size is simply 120x76x76mm.
Strong Build Quality
The AD100 Pro is built for the professional in mind with a strong and sturdy build, such as the included reinforced stand mount. The stand mount features an umbrella socket and 2 metallic threads that slot into the undercarriage of the AD100 Pro.
S2 Bracket Compatibility
All of your existing Strobepro or Bowens-mount modifiers will work with the AD100 Pro using the optional S2 Bracket. Toss the bracket in the bag with your modifier, and keep the strobe in its tiny form in your camera bag.
TTL and HSS
The Godox AD100 Pro supports TTL (automatic flash power) and high-speed sync when an appropriate controller is connected to your camera. It’s game-ready for your next fast-paced photo adventure.
[Related Reading: What Can You Do With the AD200 Pro from Godox?]
Technical Specifications
| Maximum Watt-Seconds | 100 |
| Flash Modes | TTL, Manual, Multi |
| High-Speed Sync (HSS) | Yes, up to 1/8000s |
| Recycle Time | 0.01–1.5s |
| Number of Flashes at Full Power | 360 |
| Output Power | 9 stops (1/256 to 1/1) in 1/3 or 1/10 increments |
| Exposure Compensation | ±3 stops in 1/3 increments |
| Colour Temperature | 5800K (±200K) |
| Wireless Modes | 2.4 GHz radio (32 channels/5 groups), S1 and S2 optical slave modes |
| Radio Range | 100 m / 328 ft |
| Display | LCD dot-matrix panel |
| Modeling Light | 1.8W LED modelling light with 10 brightness levels |
| Ports | 3.5mm PC Sync |
| Accessory Mount Type | Proprietary magnetic mount (S2 Bracket recommended) |
| Fan Cooled | Yes |
| Power Source | 1 x rechargeable lithium-ion battery (7.2V, 2600mAh) |
| Battery Indicator | On strobe display |
| Dimensions (main body) | 120 x 76 x 76 mm / 4.7″ x 3.0″ x 3.0″ |
| Weight | 524 g / 1.2 lbs (battery included) |
What´s in the Box?
- 1 x AD100 Pro Strobe
- 1 x Battery
- 1 x Charger
- 1 x USB Cable
- 1 x Pivot Bracket with Umbrella Socket
- 1 x Carrying Case
Verdict
This new strobe is very small, comparing in size to a can of soda. Godox has a track record of manufacturing great flash heads at a relatively inexpensive price (compared to the competition) and their AD lineup (AD200, AD400, AD600, and Pros) have saturated the photography market across the world and the newest addition will benefit a lot of photographers, especially newbies who are just getting into flash photography and looking to experiment.
Of course, it is fair to mention that it leaves crossed feelings as the power that it generates, might not justify the price or the reasoning of not using a Speedlight instead, such as the V1. However, the portability and versatility of this new addition might also be the point of interest for visual content creators who were looking forward to having this entry point to Godox´s AD lineup.
[Related Reading: Godox Officially Reveals the AD1200 Pro – Its Most Powerful Strobe Yet]
What can you do with this strobe?
Professional photographers show through their workflow the creative possibilities for this little device.
Luke Edmonson had a project in mind and explains that “the idea was to test out the AD100 Pro by shooting kids on location using simple storytelling concepts. Two of the shots we created used only the AK-R1 attachments for our modifiers. For the other two, we used Bowens mount modifiers. That way we covered the versatility of what this light can do. We found that we enjoyed its small size, lightweight, and flat bottom which made it easy to sit on top of a piece of furniture or handhold if needed.”
Here is a “behind the scenes”
You can check here his website and Instagram.
Henry Söderlund highlights “I appreciate the size of this flash. It’s minuscule yet it packs quite a punch when it comes to flash photography. It’s so easy to hide even straight into the shot itself as a pocket of light which makes it capable of on-location indoor photography. To truly get the potential of this flash I recommend getting the Godox AK-R1 modifier kit because it adds flexibility for various situations”
You can follow his work through his portfolio or Instagram.
Francisco Hernández explains “I’m currently using the 100 Pro for my portrait work. It has surprised me in how much power it offers during the day as a main light, but I will primarily be using it for rim light. Since this light doesn’t have a Godox or Bowens mount it’s best used bare or with the Godox Ak-R1 accessory kit.”
Check out his images on his Instagram or YouTube channel.
Pricing & Availability
5 Comments
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This article says it is both half as powerful as the AD200 and Not half as powerful as the AD200 – not that helpful!
In power section –
The Godox AD100 Pro is half as powerful as the Godox AD200
In the size section:
A can-shaped design and weighs about 18.5 oz. (524g), including its battery. Many would assume this light would be about half as powerful as the AD 200 but that’s not the case.
Throw us a bone!
most people don’t understand what a stop is. one stop is literally double the light, but to the non technical, it’s just “one stop”. my guess is it is half the power.
I wish people would try these lights side by side, to see how the colour temperatures are with each flash. i have a few godox products and they all shoot at different temperatures. it’s really, really annoying. the broncolor 800 is as powerful as a godox ad600 pro + 1 extra stop, so it’s effectively 1200 in a godox rating. if you buy a godox 1200 flash, you’re obviously paying more, plus the broncolor shoots warmer, and if you warm up the godox, you lose even more power. so the broncolor starts to look more appealing once you get it like for like.
the nice thing about godox is that they do many small flashes, unlike broncolor. however, since they shoot at different temperatures and are useless for me on that basis (perhaps this model is different… I don’t know), I’m back to having to buy bigger flashes.
profoto seems to have a set of flashes that’re all the same temperature, and different sizes, but they don’t do any barebulb units. in short, I hate all these companies.
I might just buy a set of godox ad300 pros. it would be nice if they colour matched with a godox ad400 pro, but i don’t know if they do
Rim light, hair light and yes even main light into a small or medium softbox no larger than 36″ and it will be fine. No modern camera would have a problem operating at ISO 400.
raise iso and you raise ambient.
While the review says it won’t be ideal for studio work, it seems like this would be a great choice for a rim/kick/backlight. Thoughts?