THE NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash is a fun, versatile, cool-looking compact and affordable on-camera flash aimed at beginner photographers. It could not be easier to use! It’s also surprisingly useful for a variety of applications.
Note: NEEWER sent us the Z160 Retro Camera Flash to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this product are our own.
NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash with a Pentax K-1 DSLR.
Pros
- Cool-looking quasi-1950s retro look
- Very affordable
- Also offers continuous light
- About as easy to use as you can get (a simple knob adjustment!)
- Internal battery which can be charged with USB-C (no separate battery charger needed)
- Small (easily fits into backpacks, handbags, or large pockets)
- Reasonably bright for such a small, inexpensive flash (at GN14, it’s more powerful than a pop-up flash, but does not compare to OEM flashes)
- Optical trigger mode
- Stand
- Clip-on diffuser
Cons
- It is a fixed head. In other words, no tilting or swiveling, and therefore, no bouncing of light (although you could get a pivoting hotshoe adapter).
- No advanced features such as multi-flash, HSS, or TTL metering (works best if your camera is in shutter priority or manual mode)
- Slow recycling time of about 1.5 seconds
- It sits low, so sometimes on large lens diameters, it may leave a shadow cast by the lens on your images.
NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash — Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications for the NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash are from the official NEEWER website.
- Model: Z160
- Item Type: Mini Camera Flash
- Compatibility: DSLR Cameras
- Application: Photo
- Main Features: Stylish & Professional
- Mounting Points: Single Contact Hot shoe
- Weight: 5.6oz / 160g
- Guide Number: 14 (ISO 100, meters)
- Flash Modes: Auto and Manual
- Power Source: Built-in 7.2V 1100mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Recycle Time: ~1.5 seconds
- Full Power Flashes per Charge: ~650
- Focal Length Coverage: Fixed at 28mm
- Tilt/Swivel: None — fixed head
- Compatibility: Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic hot shoes
- Wireless: Optical slave S1/S2
- Dimensions: 120×72×38mm
- Operating Temperature: -10°C to 40°C
- Flash Color Temperature: 6000 K ± 200 K
Package contents
- 1 x Mini Camera Flash
- 1 x Diffuser
- 1 x Base Mount
- 1 x USB to Type C Cable
- 1 x Sync Cable
- 1 x Storage Bag (it’s more of a container than a bag, actually)
NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash — Ergonomics and build quality
Ergonomics
Using the flash doesn’t get much easier than these controls.
Power Switch/Flash Mode Selector:
The button on the left turns it off or lets you select either manual or automatic controls.
Flash Test Button/Recycling Indicator/Indicator Light:
Press this button, and the flash fires. I actually use this button often since I use flashes for night photography, holding the flash and popping it manually.
It also lights up to indicate that the unit is on. If it is red, that means the flash has fully recycled and is ready to fire. If the button turns white, it means that you need to recharge.
The adjustment knob on the right adjusts the flash output power from a low of 1/128 up to full power (1/1) when in manual mode. When in automatic mode, the knob adjusts the power output between -3 to +3.
Adjustment Knob:
The adjustment knob does more than that, however. A quick press allows you to choose between “Off” (the modeling light is turned off entirely; this is the default), “Intermittent” (the modeling light gives you a preview before the flash but turns off during the burst), or “Continuous” modeling light (the light remains on, even when the flash fires). A long press locks your parameter values in place. All of this remains simple and intuitive.
Light Trigger Mode Switch:
Finally, the switch on top offers three optical triggering modes, allowing you to select what sort of light trigger mode you want, if any:
- X Mode: Off
- S1 Mode: Fires as soon as it detects the first flash burst from the main flash. This is for immediate sync with a simple manual flash setup.
- S2 Mode: This ignores the initial “pre-flash” from the main flash and instead waits for the actual flash burst, firing only then. This prevents the Z160 from firing prematurely when another flash uses a pre-flash for metering.
Everything is very intuitive. I figured it out before even referring to the owner’s manual.
Build quality
The Z160 feels solid. None of the controls feel flimsy or wiggly. I do not know if the unit would survive a drop onto a hardwood or cement floor from several feet. I mention this only because my Nikon SB-600 flash, which is larger and chunkier, has survived several such drops. This flash is considerably lighter, and it’s difficult to determine how durable it is.
NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash — In the field
The flash was a joy to use in the field. It’s easy to adjust and operate. The optical trigger appeared to work well during testing. Since it is optical, the flash works best when there is a clear line of sight between the main flash and the Z160’s light sensor, located at the top of the unit. The optical trigger only works when the Z160 is in manual flash mode, not automatic.
I tested the flash on a Nikon D750 in several scenarios, and it worked quite well.
You should know that the Z160 flash has a fixed head. That’s right — it will not tilt or swivel. Therefore, you cannot bounce light from the ceiling or walls (unless you use a pivoting hotshoe adapter). The Z160 is made to be quick, easy to use, lightweight, and simple, and NEEWER likely decided to dispense with a hinge to keep the size down. Still, I found myself wishing it had one, as it would make this considerably more flexible.
Also, the unit is small and sits low. Consequently, when using lenses with very wide diameters, the flash may leave a shadow of the lens on your images.
These two points mean that aesthetically, many of your shots will look like a better version of a pop-up flash. You may get a vaguely “paparazzi” look if you’re photographing people, for instance. And you will need to get closer to subjects than you would with a more powerful OEM flash. The bonus is that it is noticeably more powerful than a typical pop-up flash.
The snap-on diffuser works as well as you would expect a frosted piece of plastic to work, softening the light.
Continuous light
Up to this point, I’ve only mentioned using the flash as, well, a flash. But as I mentioned, it also offers continuous light as well. There are several uses for this.
This offers you a “preview” of shadows and reflections. You can also use this for macro photography.
Although I’d hardly characterize this as a full video light, you can use it in situations that would be similar, including quick interviews indoors, B-roll, a light fill, or other kinds of illumination. You might also be able to use it for catchlights in the eyes if you place it within several feet of the subject.
Because it’s small, you could possibly use it for intentionally “paparazzi-like” aesthetics for music videos, dark moody one-person shots, or dramatic side lighting.
And of course, you can use it as a secondary light to create rim lighting, backlighting dust or smoke, or as the main light if you are close to the subject.
NEEWER Z160 Retro Camera Flash — Surprisingly useful and versatile!
It’s small and fun to use, and NEEWER offers a robust carrying case that also stores the charging cables. Due to its very small size, ability to fire manually, be used as a continuous light, provide fill, optically fire from a main flash, charge via USB-C, and more, it’s found a way into my camera bag.
Bearing in mind that I do a lot of night photography, I’ve begun using the Z160 for a variety of purposes. I am able to use the light to do night portraits. This involves holding the flash and popping it manually. But furthermore, I can also use it as a stationary light, using it as an additional light panel or as a side light, with or without its included stand. Remember, in night photography, you don’t need a very bright light, especially if you are using high-ISO settings. The fact that it is small and lightweight and doesn’t require me to have a separate battery charger really helps.
