Neewer Q120 Overview: Compact 120Ws TTL Flash for Portrait Photographers

A Pocket-Sized Flash with Big Ambitions

Over the previous couple of years, Neewer has quietly constructed a lighting ecosystem that has develop into genuinely spectacular. I’ve used all the things from their Q6 battery strobes via to the Z3 speedlight, and one factor that constantly surprises me is simply how a lot worth Neewer manages to pack into its merchandise.

The new Neewer Q120 sits someplace between a standard speedlight and a bigger battery-powered monolight. Offering 120Ws of energy in a remarkably compact physique, it guarantees studio-style lighting with out the majority.

So, is it value including to your package?

First Impressions

The very first thing that struck me in regards to the Q120 was its dimension.

If you’ve ever carried a bigger battery strobe round on location, you’ll respect how small this factor is. At round 670g together with the battery, it’s simple to slide right into a digicam bag and lightweight sufficient to hold all day with out feeling weighed down. Despite its compact dimension, it doesn’t really feel low cost. The physique feels stable, the controls are easy, and it integrates properly into Neewer’s rising Q wi-fi ecosystem.

For photographers already utilizing Neewer flashes, setup is nearly seamless.

What’s within the Box?

Neewer consists of all the things you have to get began immediately. Inside the field you’ll discover the Q120 flash unit itself, a chargeable lithium battery, USB-C charging cable, flash stand, protecting carry pouch, a diffuser dome and a consumer handbook. The customary package deal supplies the necessities wanted to get the flash mounted, charged, and firing straight out of the field. I all the time respect when producers embody a carry pouch, because it helps defend the sunshine when it’s bouncing round in a the automotive, alongside baggage filled with lenses, triggers, and different gear.

The total package deal is surprisingly compact. The Q120 takes up little or no room within the bag, making it a straightforward addition to my location lighting package with out considerably growing weight or bulk.

Key Specifications

• 120Ws flash output
• TTL, Manual and Multi flash modes
• High-Speed Sync as much as 1/8000 sec
• 3000mAh rechargeable lithium battery
• Approximately 410 full-power flashes per cost
• Recycle time of 0.01-1.5 seconds
• Built-in 3W LED modelling mild
• Wireless 2.4GHz system
• Compatible with Neewer Q-series triggers
• Compatible with Godox X-system transmitters through RX mode
• Five wi-fi teams (A-E)
• 5600K daylight-balanced output

Power: More Than a Speedlight

At 120Ws, the Q120 sits comfortably above most conventional speedlights.

For portrait photographers, that additional energy provides you extra flexibility when working with softboxes, umbrellas, or attempting to compete with daylight open air.

No, it’s not going to interchange a 400Ws or 600Ws strobe in the event you’re taking pictures massive teams or overpowering the noon solar, however that’s not likely its job.

Instead, the Q120 fills a spot that many photographers have been asking for:

“Can I have something more powerful than a speedlight without carrying a brick?”

The reply is sure.

High-Speed Sync for Outdoor Portraits

One of the most important benefits of the Q120 is its assist for High-Speed Sync as much as 1/8000 second.

For portrait photographers, this implies you’ll be able to proceed taking pictures huge open at f/1.4 or f/1.8 open air with out blowing out the background.

This is precisely the kind of function that makes artistic outside portraits a lot simpler. Instead of stopping down your lens to regulate publicity, you’ll be able to preserve that stunning shallow depth of area whereas nonetheless including flash.

Battery Performance

Battery life is spectacular for a lightweight this dimension.

Neewer claims round 410 full-power flashes from a single cost, which ought to comfortably get most photographers via a portrait session or workshop with no need a spare battery.

Recycle occasions are fast too, starting from virtually instantaneous at decrease energy settings via to round 1.5 seconds at full energy.

For portrait work, vogue shoots, cosplay classes, and artistic workshops, that efficiency is greater than sufficient.

Wireless Integration

This is the place the Q120 turns into notably fascinating.

If you’re already invested within the Neewer ecosystem, the Q120 works with the QZ and QPro triggers and will be combined with different Q-series flashes together with the Z1, Z2, Z2 Pro, Z3 and bigger Q strobes.

Even extra fascinating is its compatibility with the Godox X system through receiver mode, giving photographers further flexibility in the event that they’re already working a combined lighting setup. (This must be switched on within the Menu)

For many photographers, this implies you don’t must utterly substitute your present lighting system.

Real-World Use

I see the Q120 interesting to a number of various kinds of photographers:

Portrait Photographers

Perfect for location portraits the place you need extra energy than a speedlight however don’t want a big monolight. The above pictures have been captured with Sony AR7V and Viltrox 75mm lens. Neewer Q120 speedlight and NS1P 45cm Softbox.

Workshop Hosts

Its light-weight design makes it simple to move and arrange shortly, particularly while you’re transferring between a number of places.

Content Creators

The compact dimension means it travels properly and takes up little or no room in your package.

Event Photographers

As an off-camera flash answer, the Q120 supplies significantly extra punch than a standard speedlight whereas remaining transportable.

STILL LIFE/PRODUCT Photographers

Brilliant for nonetheless life or product pictures, must be used at the side of a reflector or perhaps a second flash.

Things to Consider

While the Q120 presents loads of benefits, it received’t be the correct selection for everybody.

If you frequently shoot massive teams, industrial units, or must overpower vivid noon daylight with massive modifiers, you’ll nonetheless profit from stepping as much as one thing just like the Neewer This autumn or Q6.

The built-in modelling mild is helpful for previewing shadows and highlights, however at 3W it isn’t designed to perform as a critical steady mild supply.

This is a flash before everything. However, it’s not by any means an on-camera flash, off-camera solely.

Pros

• Compact and light-weight
• More highly effective than a standard speedlight
• TTL and High-Speed Sync assist
• Good battery life
• Fast recycle occasions
• Compatible with Neewer Q ecosystem
• Works with Godox X transmitters through RX mode

Cons

• Not highly effective sufficient to interchange bigger strobes
• Modelling mild is pretty fundamental
• No Bowens mount with out further equipment

A wise addition to the Neewer lighting lineup that provides a superb stability of portability and efficiency.

Check this flash out in motion with over on my YouTube channel