The Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro is one of those bits of camera kit that looks like it should be sitting on top of an old film camera in a photography museum. I genuinely mean that as a compliment, it has that proper old school flash look to it and it’s the kind of thing you remember seeing on cameras before everything became shiny black plastic.
Viltrox sent me the Vintage Z1 Pro to review and I was already expecting to like the look of it from the photos. I am a sucker for camera gear that has a bit of character, especially when it manages to look old without actually behaving like something you found in your grandad’s cupboard. But the interesting thing with the Z1 Pro is that it doesn’t just ooze retro styling, it actually has some very usable modern features built in which I like too.
What Is It?
The Z1 Pro is a small on-camera flash with TTL, manual power control, high speed sync, a built-in rechargeable battery and a fixed flash head. That is quite a lot of functionality for such a small flash!
It is available in different versions for Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm. At full power, you’re getting 24Ws. That is not huge compared to a professional speedlight, but it is a decent step up from the very small flashes that sit in this sort of category. It also has power control from 1/1 down to 1/64, HSS up to 1/8000s, front and rear curtain sync, S1 and S2 optical triggering, USB-C charging and a helpful screen on the back to control is all.
So in simple terms, it’s a small retro on-camera flash that looks old, but behaves far more like a modern flash than you might expect.
First Impressions
The first thing you will notice is that the Z1 Pro looks good. It has that silver and black vintage styling which instantly makes it feel more premium. On the right camera, especially something like a Fujifilm body, Nikon Z fc, or anything with that classic shape, it looks and feels like it belongs there.
It also feels pretty well made. I wouldn’t describe it as some indestructible professional flash you could hammer tent pegs in with, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. The buttons and switches feel solid, the dial is easy to use, and the overall finish is better than I expected at this price point.
It is still small, but not extremely tiny like the Viltrox Z2 which reassuringly means you have a larger flash head to play with. This feels like the more grown-up version. It still won’t take up much space in a camera bag, but it looks and feels more capable of getting the job done.
In Use:
Using the Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro is simple, which is always a relief because nobody wants to read a 90-page flash manual just to get the thing working in the first place.
Stick it on the camera, turn it on and you can use TTL if you want the flash to work out the required power level for you. TTL exposure is useful on a flash like this because it suits the way most people will probably use it. This isn’t a studio flash where you’re carefully building a lighting setup one tenth of a stop at a time. It’s more likely to be used for quick portraits, events, travel, street photography or those times where the light is just a bit dull and miserable and your shot needs some extra punch.
Manual mode is there should you wish to use it, that is what I usually prefer with my own work. You can dial the power in easily enough and get a much more controlled feel, especially if you are not a fan of the “flash look” and want the light to be a little more subtle.
The recycle time is very good for something this small. Viltrox claims around one second at full power, and at lower powers it feels quick enough that you’re not really waiting for it in normal use. Thhis actually matters far more than people realise. A flash can have all the features in the world, but if you’re stood there waiting for it to recycle between shots, the moment has gone and everyone’s face has returned to looking annoyed as you made them wait so long.
The built-in battery is another thing I like. It charges by USB-C, which is exactly how it should be. I have no desire to go back to carrying spare AA batteries around like it’s 2006. A built-in battery does mean you can’t just swap cells when it dies, but for the way this flash is likely to be used, I think USB-C charging makes more sense.
The light itself is what you’d expect from a fixed on-camera flash. It is direct, it is punchy and it has that slightly nostalgic flash look which is very fashionable again.
For close portraits, casual shots, behind-the-scenes images, indoor fill and anything where you want that direct flash style, it works nicely. It gives images a bit of energy and separation without needing a heavy, cumbersome or expensive lighting setup.
High Speed Sync
One of the big upgrades with the Z1 Pro is high speed sync up to 1/8000s. This is a genuinely useful feature, especially if you want to shoot with wider apertures in direct sunlight.
When you use high speed sync, you do lose flash power. That is not a Viltrox problem, that is just how flash works. So whilst it is great that the Z1 Pro has HSS, but you still need to keep expectations realistic. This is a 24Ws flash, not a massive studio strobe with a battery pack and an assistant called Dan who carries it around for you. If your subject is close and you’re using it for subtle fill, HSS is very useful. If you’re trying to overpower harsh midday sun from across the street, no.
For a small flash at this price point, having TTL and HSS together is impressive though.
Who is it for?
There is no bounce. No swivel. No zoom head. No built-in clever modifier system. You are mainly dealing with direct light, and that means the look is going to be more obvious than a larger flash bounced off a wall or ceiling. With that in mind, this is not a flash for someone who wants one flash to do absolutely everything. If you need bounce, swivel, radio triggering, serious power and long professional event coverage, buy a proper speedlight.
The Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro is for photographers who want a small, stylish, easy-to-carry flash that can live in the bag and actually get used. It’s for people who like the direct flash look, or want something better than pushing ISO past it’s limits every time they end up in difficult lighting situations.
It’s also a nice match for smaller mirrorless cameras. Some flashes look ridiculous on compact bodies, like someone has put a chimney on a shed. The Z1 Pro keeps things fairly balanced, especially on retro-style cameras.
Because it has TTL, it is also far more beginner-friendly than a fully manual vintage-style flash. You can let the camera handle exposure when you want to move quickly, then switch to manual when you want more control.
Final Thoughts
I like the Viltrox Vintage Z1 Pro.
I like the design, I like the size, and I like that Viltrox has managed to make something that feels fun and useful at the same time. The vintage styling is the thing that gets your attention, but the TTL, HSS, fast recycle time and manual control are what make it more than just a pretty accessory.
It is not a replacement for a proper flash. It is not going to light a huge room, bounce off ceilings, or give you soft directional light straight from the camera. But it isn’t trying to be that.
It is a compact, direct, retro-style on-camera flash that you’ll actually want to carry. And because you’ll carry it, you’ll probably use it more than the bigger, more powerful flash sitting at home in a drawer gathering dust and quietly judging you.
Flash Specifications
Power Output: 24Ws
Flash Modes: TTL Auto / Manual
Manual Power Range: 1/1 to 1/64
High Speed Sync: Up to 1/8000s
Sync Modes: HSS, front curtain, rear curtain
Trigger Modes: S1 / S2 optical triggering
Flash Coverage: 28mm
Colour Temperature: 6000K ±200K
Battery: Built-in 3.7V / 800mAh rechargeable lithium battery
Charging: USB-C, approx 70 minutes
Number of Flashes: Approx 350 full-power flashes, up to 10,000 at minimum power
Recycle Time: Approx 1 second at full power
Dimensions: Approx 68.5 x 72.8 x 50mm depending on version
Weight: Approx 136g
Compatibility: Dedicated versions for Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fujifilm