The Godox V100 is the latest addition to Godox’s lineup of on-camera flashes, offering a powerful 100Ws output and an intuitive touchscreen interface. This flash is advertised as being designed for wedding, event, portrait and even studio photographers. The versatility of this flash is what caught my attention, can one flash really do it all?
I’ve been using speedlights for years, and if we’re being honest, they haven’t changed much, have they? I bought my Canon 430EX II Speedlight in 2010 and whilst I now own other more modern flashes, it still finds its way into my camera bag because it’s small, lightweight, portable and largely does the job. But it has its limitations and I’d never consider using that speedlight as a studio flash for example, it simply isn’t powerful enough, relies on AA batteries which is inconvenient and has slow recycle times.
The V100 builds on the success of previous models like the V1 and V1 Pro, but the question is: Has Godox finally made a flash that could replace my 15-year-old workhorse?
Performance & Power
The V100 delivers a noticeable power upgrade over standard speedlights. At 100Ws, it’s nearly double the power of my Canon 430EX II-RT (around 50Ws), and that extra punch is immediately noticeable in real-world use. For outdoor portraits on the beach where I tested it, I noticed the extra power straight away. With my Canon flash, I wouldn’t really be able to overpower bright sunlight, however with the Godox V100, I was able to dial the power down, rather than pushing it to full power. This kind of flexibility makes a big difference when shooting in variable lighting.
The recycle time from shot to shot is where the V100 really shows a marked improvement. With AA battery powered flashes I’ve used previously, you feel the lag as the batteries start to drain, and it can really slow you down. But with the Godox V100’s lithium battery, it maintains a steady 1.7-second recycle time at full power. At lower power settings, it’s practically instant from my tests, so you can keep firing without worrying about slowing down the shoot unnecessarily.
At an event last week, I was shooting a fast-paced portrait session with quick bursts of flash. Normally, I’d start hearing that high pitched lagging, dying sound from my Canon flash as the batteries drained. With the V100, that never happened, it just kept firing reliably without missing a beat.
Detachable Sub Flash
The Godox V100 includes a detachable sub flash (SU-1), a feature first introduced with the V1 Pro. This is a feature I’ve not used on a speedlight flash before and I can say without doubt I found it an extremely useful addition. It’s a small secondary flash which you attach to the front of the V100, providing an additional light source without needing a second speedlight.
Where I think this really helps is as a fill light, helping to soften shadows on your subject and create a more balanced exposure, particularly in portrait photography. Unlike a traditional bounce card, it has adjustable power settings, meaning you can change its power output which is especially useful when working in low-light conditions or high-contrast environments.
The sub flash is small and lightweight, so it doesn’t add much bulk to the unit. It also attaches and detaches easily enough, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments during a shoot. While it won’t replace a dedicated second flash for complex lighting setups, that is not really its purpose and it’s a clever feature that provides an extra level of control without needing additional gear.
Battery Life – Finally, No More AA Batteries
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to dig through my bag for fresh AA batteries mid-shoot. Let’s be honest, they were never a great solution, I had to carry loads of them with me just to get through a long wedding day, they didn’t last very long and they’d always run out at the worst possible moment.
The Godox V100 eliminates that hassle completely with its included rechargeable lithium battery. You get around 400 full-power flashes per charge, but in real-world use, I can shoot all day without even thinking about battery swaps, because I’m rarely firing at full power every shot.
And here’s something I love: USB-C charging. Where have you been for so long? No need to carry extra chargers with me that take forever to do their job, I always have a USB-C cable in my bag, which makes it so much more convenient. If the battery runs low, I can just plug it in between shoots, no scrambling for fresh AA’s, no waiting around for a recharge.
For longer shoots, Godox does sell spare batteries which can be swapped in seconds. Carrying one of these as a backup is far more convenient than lugging around packs of AA batteries. I found that a full recharge took around 90 minutes.
Touchscreen Interface
It’s great to finally see a modern touchscreen interface on a speedlight. Navigating settings is quick, intuitive, and a massive improvement over traditional button-based menus where it’s not always been easy to find what you are looking for. The 2.3-inch full-colour screen is bright and clear, whilst adjusting flash power is as simple as swiping left or right, and the menu layout makes changing settings effortless. Everything is right where you need it, making it quick to dial in adjustments on the fly.
One of the things I like most is how visual and immediate everything feels. Instead of clicking through many sub menus, I can instantly see which settings are selected and make changes without slowing down my shoots. It feels like using a modern camera menu, rather than an outdated interface you have to fight against.
The touchscreen works well in different lighting conditions. Even in bright outdoor settings, I had no issues reading the display, which is a small but important detail. For those who prefer physical controls, the Godox V100 still includes a manual dial for making adjustments should you wish, so you’re not locked into just using the screen. I found myself using the touchscreen the majority of the time however just because it’s that much quicker.
Build Quality & Design
The V100 feels solid, it does have some some weight to it, but it’s not unreasonably heavy. I qualify how heavy my gear is these days by whether I’d take it with me in my camera bag regularly, or whether it would live in the car and only come out when needed. This flash is definitely an acceptable weight to be thrown into a camera bag without regretting the extra weight later in the day.
The Godox V100 does weigh approximately 616g with the battery included, making it noticeably heavier than my standard speedlights like the Canon 430EX II-RT, which weighs around 391g with 4 x AA batteries. This is about 225g more, which really comes down to the larger built-in battery and the larger round flash head design. While the difference in weight is noticeable when you hold them both in your hands, in real world use it still feels well balanced on the camera and isn’t uncomfortable to use on longer shoots.
Compared to studio strobes, the V100 is significantly smaller and lighter, whereas typical studio flashes like the Godox AD300Pro weigh around 1.25kg (without modifiers or batteries). This makes the V100 far easier to carry and mount in situations where portability and weight are key.
The build quality feels solid and well made, with a sturdy plastic exterior that does seems to hold up well to general wear and tear. This is so important for me as my gear gets used on a daily basis and it’s nice to not have equipment look “well used” too quickly. The tilt and swivel head moves smoothly, and the magnetic modifier mount allows for quick attachment of diffusers and gels, saving time compared to traditional clip-on or Velcro-mounted accessories.
The round flash head caught my eye immediately. With my Canon speedlight, I’ve always used diffusers or bounce techniques to soften the light, but the V100’s round head naturally produces a smoother, more even spread. It’s not a massive change, but in portraits and event photography, I can see this making a difference in certain lighting conditions.
How Does It Perform as a Studio Light?
While speedlights aren’t typically the first choice for studio work, the Godox V100 brings features that make it a solid option in a controlled environment. I put it to the test during one of my Warrior photoshoots, where we photograph everyday people wearing armour, wielding swords and shields. These shoots require precise lighting and strong directional control, so it was a great opportunity to see how the V100 performs beyond just on-location work.
One feature that stood out was the built-in LED modeling lamp, the first time I’ve seen one of these on a speedlight unit. At 2W with 10 adjustable brightness levels, it’s not as powerful as a dedicated modelling light on a larger studio flash, but it’s surprisingly useful for pre-visualizing lighting and shadows before firing the flash. When working with dramatic, moody lighting, being able to see where highlights and shadows will fall before taking the shot is a huge advantage.
The V100’s wireless capabilities also made studio work much easier. With Godox’s 2.4G Wireless X System, it can function as both a master and receiver, meaning it syncs seamlessly with other Godox flashes and triggers which operate on the same frequency. I paired it with the Godox X3 trigger, and with its one-tap pairing, it was ready to go in seconds.
In terms of power and recycle time, it held up well. At 100Ws, it provided enough output to be used with softboxes, modifiers and grids which sometimes suck up some of the light. I used softboxes on our Warrior shoot and it had more than enough power to light the subject and the background in a controlled lighting situation.
Even when shooting rapid sequences like the swinging of a sword, the recycle time remained reliable. I wasn’t waiting for the flash to catch up, which is often an issue with speedlights in studio environments. The ability to fire multiple shots without lag meant I could focus more on posing and composition rather than flash readiness.
Would I use it as a full replacement for a dedicated studio strobe? Probably not for every situation, if you’re shooting high-volume commercial work, you’ll still want the extra power of a larger studio flash. But for dramatic portraits, creative setups, or photographers working in smaller studio spaces, the V100 absolutely holds its own.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
– 100Ws Power Output: Nearly double the power of most speedlights, giving more flexibility in bright conditions and studio setups.
– Lithium Battery: No more AA swaps mid-shoot, with 400 full-power flashes per charge and USB-C charging for added convenience.
– Fast Recycle Times: 1.7s at full power and near-instant at lower settings, keeping up with fast-paced shoots.
– Touchscreen Interface: Modern, intuitive, and faster than traditional button-based menus.
– Works With The Godox X Wireless System: Seamless integration with other Godox flashes and triggers.
– Detachable Sub Flash (SU-1): Adds a built-in fill light option without needing a second flash.
– Built-In LED Modeling Lamp: A rare feature on speedlights, useful for previewing shadows and lighting before firing.
– Magnetic Modifier Mount: Quick and easy attachment for diffusers and gels, no need for clips or Velcro.
Cons:
– Slightly Heavier Than Standard Speedlights: At 616g with the battery, it’s about 225g heavier than a Canon 430EX III-RT. It’s noticeable but well-balanced enough that it doesn’t feel awkward in use.
– No Built-In Catchlight Card: Or wide-angle diffuser, features that some speedlights include for softer fill light. I do however really like the included sub flash.
– Not A Full Replacement For Studio Strobes: While powerful for a speedlight, 100Ws is still less than a typical studio strobe like the Godox AD300Pro (300Ws).
Final Verdict
The Godox V100 is easily one of the best speedlights I’ve used. It’s more powerful, faster, and easier to use than most alternatives. If you’re still using an AA-powered flash like the Canon 430EX III-RT, this is an obvious upgrade.
For its feature set, the V100 offers an impressive balance between power, portability, and price. It’s not the cheapest speedlight out there, but considering the added battery life, touchscreen, and power output, it delivers solid value for photographers who need a more versatile flash without stepping up to full studio strobes. It’s a modern, well-thought-out speedlight that truly feels like an upgrade.
For correct compatibility you will need to choose the version that matches your camera brand.
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Flash Specifications
Power Output: 100Ws
Battery: 7.2V/2980mAh rechargeable lithium
Recycle Time: ~1.7s (full power), near-instant at lower settings
Flash Head: Round design with tilt/swivel movement
Wireless System: Godox 2.4G Wireless X, master/receiver modes
Modeling Lamp: 2W LED with 10 brightness levels
Sub Flash: Detachable SU-1 fill flash
Weight: 616g (with battery)
Charging: USB-C, ~90-minute full charge (using a high-power charger).
