Godox iM30 flash review

The Godox iM30 is a small, retro-style hot shoe flash that works with any camera system featuring an active hot shoe. Simply pop it on top, and it’s ready to go. There are no advanced features such as TTL metering; all control over the power of the illumination is manual. Adjust the dial on top to quickly increase or decrease the brightness, giving it an instant retro feel that perfectly complements its design.

While the flash will instantly appeal to those just starting out and looking for a simple flash solution, its simplicity ensures it has far broader appeal. Its compact size means that, unlike standard hot shoe flashes, it won’t take up an entire section of your camera bag—it will fit neatly in a side pocket or even your jacket pocket.

For beginners, the dial to control illumination offers an excellent way to see the effect of flash on images, making it a perfect choice for learning about flash photography and shooting in manual mode. Enthusiasts will also appreciate the simple design, particularly for occasional use or experimenting with retro-style portrait images. For professionals, while this may serve more as a bit of fun, it’s primarily an entry-level option.

The look and style of the iM30 flash are unmistakably retro, reminiscent of flashes from the 70s and 80s. Its small, boxy design is just slightly larger than a matchbox, making it easy to fit into a backpack pocket or an inner compartment without adding much weight or bulk.

Reinforcing the retro style is the leatherette texture on the top of the flash. Although it has been given a modern twist, it adds a high-quality, solid feel to the small flash.

The iM30 weighs just 82.5 g without batteries, and with two AAA batteries installed, the weight increases to only 108 g—remarkably lightweight compared to standard hot shoe flashes.

One notable feature of the design is its use of AAA batteries, which can be conveniently purchased from almost any local store. For this test, I used EBL rechargeable batteries (you can see a review of the AA versions elsewhere). The ability to use standard batteries means you can pick up replacements anywhere, which is handy. However, with the prevalence of built-in rechargeable options these days, many might still prefer carrying a power bank such as the Ugreen 300W for other devices.

The base of the flash features a standard hot shoe contact, a design that has remained consistent on cameras for decades. This means that whether your camera is brand new or has been sitting in a cupboard for 40 years, this flash is highly likely to work perfectly. Like most hot shoe flash guns, the iM30 includes a twist lock to secure the flash in place once inserted into the hot shoe. This feature is particularly useful for older film cameras, as the locking mechanism ensures the flash remains securely attached despite variations in hot shoe designs over the years.

On top of the iM30 is a large power dial, offering seven power settings from full to 1/64. Next to this are two buttons: one for the two slave modes and the other for power and testing. The power/test button illuminates green or flashes to indicate the status of the flash.

As flashes go, the feature set of the iM30 is relatively simple. Its universal hot shoe mount allows the flash to be used with almost any camera—from modern mirrorless and DSLR models to most film cameras dating back decades. This versatility makes it an excellent option for film photography enthusiasts.

In terms of power, it is rated with a GN (Guide Number) of 15 at ISO 100, with seven power settings ranging from full power down to 1/64. This provides a good amount of flexibility for general photography, particularly for portraits.

Next to the power dial is the Slave Mode button, which offers two optical slave modes. The first, S1, triggers on any flash, while the second, S2, will only fire on the main flash.

The final button on the top of the flash is the power button, which also doubles as the test button. Once the light within the button illuminates green, the flash is primed and ready. If the green light is flashing, it indicates that the flash is still priming. It’s a neat and simple solution.

Another notable feature is the use of standard AAA batteries, which furtherreflects the retro feel. Unlike most modern flashes, there’s no built-in battery, so it’s essential to pack additional batteries if you’re planning to use this on holiday or while traveling.

However, the flash is quite energy-efficient, allowing up to 230 full-power flashes per set of two AAA batteries.

In use, the small iM30 proves to be a fantastic mini flash, and throughout the testing period, I was surprised just how effective and useful it was. Its compact size allows it to fit easily into kit bags or pockets, meaning it’s always at hand. On the Sony A7 IV, there were several occasions where a bit of flash would have been helpful, and having the iM30 readily available made all the difference. Ordinarily, I would have made do with natural light, but having this option was definitely an advantage.

The full manual control makes it simple to adjust settings as needed, and with the camera in Manual mode, it was easy to control the light—illuminating subjects while darkening the background for a dramatic effect.

The power dial on top adds to the ease of use, offering flexibility and control that allows for precise adjustments. Unlike larger hot shoe flashes, however, there is no directional control. This is a standard point-forward flash, meaning that at close quarters with a longer lens, you might encounter some shadowing. Similarly, unless you fashion your own bounce card, the light from the flash can be typically harsh. However, this harshness contributes to the stylised lighting that this flash is designed to create—it’s not about perfect lighting, but about capturing a retro aesthetic.

Despite its small size, the iM30 is relatively powerful, with a GN of 15 at ISO 100. However, the AAA batteries, like the flash’s design, are an older technology. While they provide around 230 full-power flashes, the recycle times become longer as the batteries deplete—up to 5 seconds between flashes at full power.

In addition to its standard hot shoe functionality, the iM30 also features two slave modes, allowing it to be used off-camera. These modes utilise a built-in optical sensor, and when tested with the Profoto A10 on the Sony A7 IV and the entry-level Nikon D5300, the flash provided appealing additional lighting effects on subjects. This opens up a cost-effective option for creative strobe photography.

What stood out most was how small and versatile the flash was, making it easy to handle and direct. The build quality also impressed, with the flash surviving a couple of drops onto hard wooden floors. While not advisable, it was reassuring to see it didn’t disintegrate on impact.

The performance of the Godox iM30 is excellent, provided you embrace its retro style and the limitations that come with it. The lack of directional control may be a drawback, but it also adds to the charm of this fun, creative accessory. It’s a great tool for capturing retro-style images with a unique look.

The Godox iM30 is an intriguing release, aimed squarely at those seeking retro-style gear that allows them to capture retro-style images with their digital or film cameras. Part of its charm lies in its simplicity—pop it into your camera’s hot shoe, power it on, and you’re ready to go.

As expected with a flash of this type and level, there are some limitations. Firstly, there’s no directional control. If you’re happy with the flash pointing directly forward, that’s fine, but for anything else, you’ll need to find another solution. Secondly, the recycle times are affected by the older AAA battery technology. Even rechargeable AAAs, however good, cannot compete with a LiPo battery, so you can expect up to 5 seconds between full-powered flashes.

That said, you’re unlikely to be using the flash at full power all the time. The recycle times at lower to mid-power settings—the ones you’ll use most frequently—are perfectly reasonable, and the results are impressive.
The real question is why you’d choose a flash like this, with its directional and feature limitations, over more advanced options. The answer becomes clear once you start using it and seeing the results. The appeal lies in the style—both the aesthetics of the flash itself and the look it brings to your images. Direct flash shots have a distinct quality and character that are highly reminiscent of traditional film photography.

Additionally, the process of taking these shots is entirely different from using modern TTL flashes, which adds to the experience.

If you’re just getting into flash photography or looking for an accessory that gives your images a retro flash makeover, the Godox iM30 is a great choice and a highly recommended addition to your kit.