I’ve used plenty of flashguns, the Godox V100 is in another class

The Godox V100 is a speedlight flash designed to sit on top of your camera’s hot shoe or it can be used in combination with a wireless flash trigger, such as the superb Godox X3. In design, it’s very similar to the Godox V1 and V1 Pro, with the main difference being the upgrade in power to 100Ws and the addition of a 2.3-inch colour touchscreen on the back.

There are a few other changes, but these are more subtle. Once again, it supports global shuttering up to 1/80,000 of a second, which means you can utilise this even in bright sun conditions to achieve good depth of field in your portrait shots.

It also features the detachable sub-flash that we first saw on the V1 Pro, enabling very subtle dual-light setups. You can have a very low-powered flash facing your subject while using the main flash to bounce off another surface, creating more natural-looking lighting and ensuring your subject is properly lit.

One of the big advantages of the Godox range is its compatibility with the Godox wireless system. This means you can use it with all Godox 2.4G wireless flash triggers and as part of a larger flash system.

A first look at the Godox V100, and initially, it doesn’t look that much different from the V1. However, a closer look quickly reveals the large LCD on the back, but other than that, the two models are very similar. Of course, you also have the attached sub-flash that can go on the front.

When it comes to size, it measures 71 × 76 × 206mm, and considering the size, it’s not all that heavy at 616g. This weight gives it a good, sturdy feel, and compared with Godox flashes of the past, this one feels of really good build quality, with high-quality plastic used throughout. It feels durable enough to withstand both enthusiast and professional use.

The big new feature is the large LCD touchscreen on the back, which is really bright, clear, and easy to use. It allows you to very quickly dip into the settings you want, adjust the power, and set up the wireless communication so you can use it off-camera with the X3. Again, setup and use are extremely easy.

While there is the large touchscreen, which makes things nice and easy, below that you do have a set of buttons and dials, including the test flash button, which is pretty much standard on all speedlight flashes. There’s also the dial, which enables you to manually scroll through options and settings, and the OK button in the centre— all very generic and standard. Finally, on the right, you have the power button, which simply powers the flash on and off.

Looking at the base, the hot shoe connector is specific to the manufacturer of the camera it’s designed for. In this review, I’m looking at the Sony version, but there are options for most other manufacturers as well as a standard version. There’s a nice locking system to ensure that once it’s in place on your hot shoe, it stays put.
Looking at the actual flash head itself, it has the round design, which gives a more even and natural flood of light, similar to what we’ve seen on the likes of the Profoto models and the Godox V1. The head itself has a good degree of tilt, from -7° to 120°, while rotation goes from 0° to 330°—not quite a full 360°, but close enough. This gives you plenty of options to bounce the flash and achieve the lighting you want.

One thing I really like about these new flashes is the dedicated battery pack rather than using traditional AA batteries. Here, we have the Godox VB30, which enables you to charge with the charger that comes with the flash, or alternatively, it has a simple USB Type-C connector, providing plenty of flexibility for charging the device.

So, when it comes to the build and handling of the Godox V100, it’s much like most other speedlights but is part of a really good, high-quality range, offering everything you expect from a premium model. Alongside the flash itself, there are a couple of accessories, including the flash stand, which slips onto the base of the flash, and, of course, a really good, high-quality protective case.

I’ll run through a few of the core features here that highlight the quality of this flash over just a pure standard speedlight. First and foremost, there’s high-speed sync up to 1/8000 of a second, as well as the more standard first curtain and second curtain sync, giving you plenty of flexibility for creative flash.

One of the most impressive features of the V100 is the boost in power, taking it up to 100Ws from the previous generation’s 76Ws. With this increase in power, better heat management is needed, especially if you’re on a shoot and continuously using the flash. As such, there is now a new advanced system that extends the amount of time the flash can be used before it has to take a rest to cool down.

Built into the flash, like many modern flashes, is an advanced wireless system that enables you to sync it with 2.4G wireless flash triggers from Godox. In fact, the wireless system for the X series triggers and V series flashes works so well that it’s quick and easy to set up quite a complex flash system.

One of the features we first saw on the V1 Pro was the detachable sub-flash, which can be used for creative lighting and just helps to add a little bit of fill light, as previously mentioned.

Another nice feature of the flash is that it includes a two-LED modelling light. This isn’t overly bright, but it is helpful when you’re trying to autofocus. However, it doesn’t quite have the power you’d want if you were to use it as a video lamp, although it does offer 10 levels of adjustable brightness.

As we’ve seen with other Godox flashes, the unit is fully compatible with the PB960 lithium-ion flash power pack. So, if you are shooting professionally and need more battery support than a single battery can provide—and you don’t want to carry multiple extras—then the PB960 is a great solution. It also ensures that you keep the performance of the V100 at its maximum throughout, whereas the smaller VB30 may start to reduce the optimal power as the battery depletes.

One of the features I really like about the flash system is its compatibility with a huge range of accessories, including the AK-R1 accessory kit, the AK-R21 projection attachment, and the S2 speedlight bracket, which enables you to attach all the standard Bowens light modifiers.

As is the case with the V100, it is quick and easy to use. Simply charge up the battery, and the fact that it has a USB Type-C connector, allowing you to plug it into any standard USB Type-C charger, makes a huge difference when it comes to the absolute convenience of this unit.

Getting started, the V100 slipped into the hot shoe of the Sony Alpha 7 Mark IV, and instantly, the camera recognised it. With the Sony connectors on the base, you have full TTL as well as the ability to adjust some settings through the camera options.

Instantly, what I really liked was the touchscreen, which enabled me to navigate through all the power settings. The fact that you can quickly adjust the power via the touchscreen by swiping your finger left or right just makes it really quick and easy to use. If for some reason you don’t like the touchscreen, you can use the dial to adjust the settings instead—why you wouldn’t want to is beyond me.

When I first started using the flash, I did have a couple of issues with the touchscreen, accidentally tapping the screen and changing a setting. However, as with touchscreens on DSLR and mirrorless cameras, once you’ve used them for a little while, you get used to them, and it no longer becomes an issue—it’s just something to be aware of at the outset.

Otherwise, that touchscreen is excellent. If I want to switch from manual to TTL, I just tap the icon in the bottom left-hand corner, and it instantly updates. In TTL mode, you have a large green +0.0, which is the flash compensation, and, as with the flash power, you can simply swipe left or right to increase or decrease it by up to ±3. Tapping back onto the mode switches it back to manual, where I can go from 1/256 power all the way up to full 1/1 power.

As you’ve got the connector for the Sony system through the multiport, the zoom of the lens is automatically registered so the flash power adjusts accordingly. Used as a standard TTL flash, there’s plenty of flexibility, and with easy access to the flash compensation, you can increase or decrease the brightness of the light as needed.

As the unit was new out of the box, the rotation was a little stiff, but it is nice and smooth, and there’s a good amount of flexibility over the positioning of the head so that you can bounce it off walls, ceilings, or whatever else you need to get the lighting correct.

Once again, that round head really does provide a nice, natural throw of light. Through this test, I also tried out a couple of the light modifiers, attaching them easily, and the results from the projector and standard accessories were exceptionally good.

Essentially, the V100 is a powerful 100Ws strobe, which takes the brightness and power of this type of flash up another level, actually bringing it in line with professional units.

Seeing that this flash is now competing directly with professional-level equipment, the importance of colour uniformity and longevity of use is paramount. Here, Godox has really boosted the build quality as well as the features, so when you start to look a little closer at what this flash has to offer, it becomes apparent that this is now a real competitor to the likes of the Profoto A1.

One of the unexpected features was the addition of a traditional 2.5mm sync socket on the side, next to the USB Type-C port used for firmware updates. I haven’t yet tested this, but I will shortly, linking it to one of the Hasselblads or the Canon F1 for a full test. This could be a really exciting development.

For me, however, it’s the ease of use that elevates this flashgun well above most others and puts it in the same category as the Profoto A1, which I personally favour.

When it comes to ease of use, the Profoto A1 flashes have that large LCD screen on the back. While it might not be a touchscreen, it is simple to use, and when it comes to linking with all other Profoto gear, it’s a no-brainer. Now, it seems that Godox has elevated the V flash system to the same level. That ease of use, which enables anyone to pick up and use the V100 without constantly referring to the manual, is a huge advantage. This will appeal not just to enthusiasts and professionals but also to those who are really keen on making an impact with flash photography.

When it comes to the performance of the Godox V100, I’ve been incredibly impressed. Used as a TTL flash, it’s outstanding, with very quick and easy-to-understand controls that allow you to increase or decrease the power as needed.

More importantly, when used in full manual mode, it’s just as easy to adjust. The fact that you can swipe left or right to increase or decrease the power makes it exceptionally user-friendly, and at a full 100Ws, the flash power is incredible for a speedlight of this size.

But then, it takes things up another level. Through this test, I paired it with another Godox V100 and a V1 Pro. What was instantly apparent was that, while the V1 Pro is an excellent flash, it is absolutely superseded by the V100, which is a far superior model. Then, when you couple that with the superb X3, all on the Sony system, you have a really comprehensive lighting setup.

The Godox V100 is a powerful flash, and considering the price—at over half the cost of many professional models—it is going to appeal to a huge variety of enthusiasts and professionals.

First and foremost, 100Ws of power is impressive. When you combine that with all the advanced features, including 1/8000 high-speed sync and huge wireless compatibility and expandability, you have something that is really interesting for any strobe enthusiast.

But what really appeals to me, almost above everything else, is the user-friendly interface. For once, using a strobe is made much easier, and if you’re showing others how to utilise their flash, this touchscreen just makes the whole process incredibly simple.

Alongside the flash itself, you have a whole ecosystem, including the detachable sub-flash, which is handy for some occasions. Although it’s something I’m not 100% sure I would use myself, I can see where it would come in useful. The accessory bundled with the Godox V100 is convenient, but for me, where the system is really elevated is with all of the additional options, including the grids, projector, and various lighting modifiers, as well as the attachment that enables you to mount traditional Bowens diffusers.

In use, as I’ve said, it’s really easy to operate, but then you also have the durability and consistency of flash power and colour, which elevate this from something suited to beginners and intermediate users to a unit that is very viable for enthusiasts and professionals. Whereas previous versions of the V series flashes had some issues with heat when used in a professional environment, the increased cooling around the head does seem to alleviate this. During my test session, it worked really well. However, I will note that the temperature at present is around 0–5°C, and I am shooting outside, so even if I’d been firing off constant full-power flashes, I doubt the ambient temperature would allow the flash to overheat.

When the weather warms up a little, I’ll give it another go and update the review to reflect on whether any issues arise.

When it comes to a powerful speedlight, the Godox V100, which is available for most manufacturers, is an absolute revelation and definitely an evolution of the format over what I’ve seen before. While the power is great and it has all the standard features, what really stands out for me is the ease of use, which helps to dispel some of the complexity of flash photography for beginners as well as enthusiasts.

Of course, the one thing that’s really going to stand out above everything else is the fact that you can pick this flash up for a little over £250/$250, which, any way you look at it, is exceptional value for money.