ZHIYUN’s Molus X100 Review

The Molus X100 is a game-changing portable COB light that breaks from traditional lighting design. With its small COB LED and flat design, it looks like a large cassette and can be easily carried in a bag pocket. The Molus X100 is designed as a location light for photography or video, with an impressive 100W of lighting power that’s enough to use outside on a relatively bright day.

With full temperature control, the X100 enables you to easily adjust the colour temperature and brightness to suit your needs. It can be powered by the mains or the battery grip, giving you more flexibility when shooting on location. The light also features its own compact light modifier mount or, with an adapter, can be used with Bowens light modifiers.

Another standout feature is its Bluetooth capability, which allows it to be used and controlled as part of a larger lighting array; there’s an app on the way which will open up a huge range of possibilities. With the Molus X100, you can easily adjust your lighting on the fly and achieve the perfect lighting setup for your shoot.

The Molus X100 boasts a unique and retro-style cassette-like design that differentiates it from traditional lighting fixtures. The COB LED panel is located at the front, with brightness and temperature controls conveniently placed on the side. The light also features a grate at the back, which houses a large fan to keep things cool when the light is being used for extended periods. The power button and small LCD screen are also located on the back.

In terms of build and handling, the Molus X100 is solid and well-built, with a design that offers flexibility when using different lighting modifiers. However, the light only features one 1/4-inch threaded mount on the base, which means that you’ll need a lighting stand with a ball or tilt head to direct the light effectively.

The controls on the Molus X100 are simple and easy to understand, making it accessible to both novice and professional users. The light’s companion app, when it’s released, will offer a wide range of extended features and boosts the functionality of an already excellent light, I’ll break this out it a separate review once it arrives.

However, what I do know about the app at present is that you can easily control and adjust the lighting output remotely, as well as access advanced features such as music mode. Overall, the Molus X100’s build and handling are well-thought-out and user-friendly, making it an excellent choice for photographers and videographers.

The Molus X100 is packed with a range of standout features that make it stand out from other lights in its class. Firstly, the light comes with a fabric case, which helps to keep everything organized and in one place during transportation.

The brightness control and temperature control are located side-by-side, making it easy to adjust the settings as needed. The Bowens mount adapter is an essential feature that gives the light a more traditional feel with the ability to easily tilt the light as required. Additionally, optional extension plates enable you to easily create bespoke lighting systems for your specific needs.

The Molus X100 can also be powered by a battery module, providing a neat power solution for on-location shoots. This battery module clips into the side of the lamp and provides both power and a convenient and comfortable way to hand hold the lamp; essentially it doesn’t feel to unlike a camera in that respect. The LCD screen is another useful feature that enables you to easily navigate settings and options, including more advanced features such as Music mode.

The App, again when released, enables you to control the light remotely, providing even greater flexibility in how you use the Molus X100. Overall, these features make the Molus X100 an incredibly versatile and user-friendly lighting solution for a wide range of photography and videography needs.

The Molus X100 comes in a professional protective fabric case, which is perfect for protecting the light during transport. The two 1/4-inch threaads on the base, give you two options for the horizontal position, however, a 1/4-inch lighting stand with a tilt head needs to be used or a tripod such as the 3LT Punks Billy 2.0 for a single light, or a Vanguard VEO 3 263CB if using extension plates for a bigger system.

The power and colour temperature controls are straightforward and easy to use, allowing you to adjust the settings quickly to achieve your desired lighting effect. The Zhiyun dome light modifier looks bizarre, but it works exceptionally well for still life, portraiture, and product photography, throwing soft illumination. Additionally, other Zhiyun light modifiers are excellent compact solutions. The reflector is also excellent and mimic those of much larger systems. The Mini Softbox works OK but the throw of light is restricted, and I would personally opt for something bigger, although the compact size and innovative design are very interesting.

Adding the Bowens mount makes a huge difference to professional use, allowing you to use a wide range of Bowens light modifiers with the light. The Battery Grip is also a great idea, making the light very easy to handhold. It provides around 30 minutes of power at full power, which may not be enough for some situations, but dropping to 50% or plugging the grip into power for longer shoots is a more likely scenario.

The small tripod option makes this a great all-round light, enabling you to illuminate places and areas that are usually difficult to light. The app just opens up a whole new world of possibilities, providing you with the ability to remotely control the light, making it easy to adjust the settings from your phone.

Overall, there is very little to fault with the Molus X100, aside from not having a tilt bracket of some type. The light delivers professional-grade lighting in a compact and versatile package, making it an excellent choice for anyone who needs a powerful and portable lighting solution.

The Molus X100 by Zhiyun is an outstanding, feature-packed COB light that offers impressive power in a compact and lightweight design. With its innovative DynaVort Cooling System and Bluetooth Mesh Efficient Remote Control feature, this light is a standout choice for any creative professional in need of reliable and versatile lighting.

While the price point may be a bit high, the performance and flexibility of the Molus X100 more than justify the investment. The Bowens mount adapter, battery module, and optional extension plates provide further customization options and make it easy to create a bespoke lighting system that meets your specific needs.

The only minor issue we found was the lack of a tilt bracket, but this can easily be resolved by using a lighting stand with a tilt head or a tripod like the 3LT Punks Billy 2.0 or Vanguard VEO 3 263CB.

Overall, the Molus X100 is an exceptional tool for any photographer or videographer looking to elevate their work to the next level. Highly recommended!