If you are looking for the best flash for Sony A7RII, the most important considerations include the power output, control modes, and flexibility. Below, I’ve handpicked my favorite products based on these features. Continue reading to learn why they matter.
The Sony A7R II is among the best full-frame mirrorless cameras today. In fact, it is the world’s first camera with a 4K movie recording capability. It also has 42.4 megapixels, in-body image stabilization, and a fast hybrid AF, among many other advanced features. However, it is clearly missing a built-in flash, thus limiting you significantly.
Fortunately, you can always invest in an external flash. This camera accessory allows you to illuminate the subjects in low-light situations. But unlike a built-in flash, a separate unit is more flexible for effectively bouncing and softening the light. As a result, you get a more natural-looking photo.
With that in mind, I will share the five best flashes for Sony A7R II. Each item will include a detailed product review as well as pros and cons. I researched various articles and customer reviews to come up with this list.
A handy buying guide also awaits those who might be wondering about which features to consider when shopping.
Without further ado, let’s jump right into these top picks!
A Quick Comparison of the Best Flashes for Sony A7RII
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Runner-up  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
5 Best Flash for Sony A7R II
Below are the best flash units for Sony A7R II and Sony cameras in general. Each product offers powerful light for illuminating dark scenes, thus giving you higher-quality photos.
Godox Xpro-S – Editor’s Pick
The first product on our list is the Godox Xpro-S.
This on-camera flash offers a powerful light output, ideal for shooting in low-light or pitch dark settings. It can also illuminate areas up to 328 feet away. So whether you are shooting portraits or sports, it might be more than enough to meet your needs.
In addition, the Xpro-S can support both ADI/P-TTL and manual control modes. The former automatically calculates the required amount of light within a scene by producing a pre-flash before capturing the photo. Meanwhile, the latter enables you to set the flash output manually, thus giving you complete creative control.
Besides these modes, the Godox flash for Sony A7R II also includes stroboscopic flash and a second-curtain sync function. It is easy to switch between all these modes—simply long-press the TCM button.
This TCM button also allows you to switch between one-group or multi-group mode up to 16 groups. The feature is handy for those who want to use multiple flash units at once. There are even 32 channels to help you control and trigger the external flash remotely.
Other remote functionalities include modeling light, zoom setting, and flash exposure compensation from -3 to +3 EV. These are displayed on a large dot-matrix LCD.
Also, despite being a dedicated flash for Sony cameras, the Xpro-S can support other camera systems. It includes a 2.5mm sync port, so you can trigger the flash unit using a wired connection.
Finally, there is a USB Type-C port for downloading firmware updates and a two-battery slot (AA batteries sold separately) for your convenience.
Most reviews for this product were overwhelming positive. However, some users pointed out that the LCD screen has a hazy and inconsistent display; it randomly turns off. A few were also disappointed that the hot shoe mount is made of plastic.
But as you can see, the pros far outweigh the cons.
In our opinion, the Godox Xpro-S is the best flash for Sony A7R II. It is fully compatible with this mirrorless camera and offers useful lighting features.
Pros:
- High power flash output up to 328 feet away
- Four control modes, including TTL and manual
- Multi-group mode (up to 16) and 32 channels for remotely triggering the flash
- Easy to set up master and slave function
- It is compatible with other non-Sony cameras
- The package includes USB Type-C to download firmware updates
Cons:
- LCD randomly turns off
- Plastic hot shoe mount is prone to breaking
Godox V1-S – Runner Up
If you want to adjust the flash head and color temperature, consider getting the Godox V1-S.
It features a unique round head to produce softer and smoother light. This flash head also has a zoom range spanning from 28 to 105mm, which you can control automatically or manually. Thus, it can illuminate both near and far-away subjects. Plus, it offers 330 degrees of rotation and up to 120 degrees tilt, giving you far more flexibility.
What’s more, the V1-S offers a stable color temperature of 5600±200K throughout the entire power range. As a result, there is no need to worry about inconsistent lighting when adjusting the output.
This external flash for Sony A7R II is even compatible with the ADI/P-TTL and manual control. So feel free to select the setting that best suits your needs.
And if you want to use the flash remotely, it supports master and slave functionality. As a master, the V1-S allows you to control four different wireless groups. Meanwhile, when acting as a slave, it features regular and intelligent optical modes.
Lastly, this flashgun includes a long-lasting battery. It can offer 480 full-power flashes, a 1.5-second recycle time, and a flash duration of up to 1/20,000s with a charge time of just 3.5 hours.
All these benefits come at a high price, though. Also, the flash is pretty heavy. Furthermore, some users also wished the hot shoe mount is metal instead of plastic, considering its price.
Overall, the higher price of the Godox Xpro-S was the reason why we chose it as a runner-up for the best flash for Sony A7R II. However, we still think it is worth the money, especially if you need more advanced features.
Pros:
- Adjustable zoom head ranging from 28 to 105mm
- Swiveling and tilting flash head
- Stable color temperature regardless of the power output
- Master and slave functionality
- High-performing battery with a fast recycle time
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy flashgun
- Plastic hot shoe mount feels cheap
Godox TT600 – Best Manual Flash
For those who do not need automatic TTL control, a manual flash like the Godox TT600 might be enough for you.
This external flash unit features a guide number (GN) of 196.85 feet or 60 meters at ISO 100. Thus, it can distribute powerful light evenly for a natural-looking photo.
The TT600 also offers a zoom range of 24-200mm and a 14mm wide panel for illuminating various subjects. Additionally, this flash head can tilt from 7 degrees to 90 degrees and rotate for 360 degrees. Thus, it is suitable for different kinds of photography.
Furthermore, this flash for Sony A7RII has a built-in 2.4G wireless transmission, which adopts the Godox wireless X system. It can act as a master unit and control other flash units using a wireless transmitter trigger (sold separately). Plus, it supports high-speed sync up to 1/8000 seconds, depending on the trigger and camera used.
As for the battery life, the TT600 includes a 2500mA NI-MH battery. It can deliver up to 230 full-power flashes, and a recycle time of 0.1 to 2.6 seconds.
Finally, this flash for the Sony A7 series is universally compatible with other cameras from Canon, Nikon, and more brands.
Despite these advantages, the external flash has inconsistent power output. Some users said that it turns on sometimes, but in a few instances, it stays off. A customer even wished that the flash unit was more durable.
Nevertheless, the Godox TT600 is still worth checking out. It offers advanced features—minus the TTL control—ideal for both enthusiasts and professional shooters.
Pros:
- Powerful flashlight
- Flexible zoom and swiveling flash head
- Built-in optic transmission and 2.4G radio transmission
- Fast recycle time of 0.1-2.6 seconds
- Stable color temperature of 5600±200K throughout the entire power range
Cons:
- No TTL control
- Inconsistent flash power output
- Some users said that the build could be improved
Powerextra Flash Speedlite – Best Budget Flash
If you are looking for a budget flash unit, consider checking out the Powerextra Flash Speedlite.
This external flash unit has a high guide number of 33 meters at ISO 100. Thus, it delivers powerful light, ideal for dim-lit or pitch dark settings. But if you wish to adjust the light output, the Powerextra Speedlite allows you to do so. It features eight levels of power control. Simply press the plus (+) button to raise or lower the power.
It also offers three flash modes, namely manual, S1, and S2. Manual mode, as its name suggests, requires you to calculate the amount of light in a scene. Meanwhile, the S1 mode allows you to use the external flash as a slave unit for creating various lighting effects. It fires synchronously with the master flash. And like S1, the S2 mode is another optical slave mode. However, it will fire synchronously with the second flash from the master unit.
Furthermore, the Powerextra Speedlight features a flexible flash head. It can tilt up to 90 degrees and rotate to 270 degrees, suitable for bouncing and softening the light.
Other notable functions include flash synchronization, external charging, power-saving mode, and over-temperature protection.
However, before buying this flash for Sony A7RII, it is essential to know its downsides. First, it does not offer TTL control—you need to set the power output manually. Second, a few users said the flash feels cheap, and it stopped working after months of use.
With that said, we still recommend the Powerextra Flash Speedlite for those who are on a tight budget.
Pros:
- Lightweight and affordable flash unit
- Adjustable powerful light output
- Flexible rotating and tilting head
- Three control modes for creating various lighting effects
- Power-saving mode and over-temperature protection function
Cons:
- No TTL control
- Cheap plastic construction
- A few users said the flash died on them after months of use
Godox TT520II – Best Value for Money
The last item on our list is the Godox TT520II.
It features three flash modes, namely manual, S1, and S2. The manual mode allows you to change the amount of flash output based on your needs. Thus, it is suitable for photographers who want to achieve creative lighting effects. Meanwhile, both the S1 and S2 modes enable slave functionality, producing light after you trigger the master unit. The only difference between them is the timing—S1 fires on the first flash while S2 illuminates the scene on the second flash.
Additionally, the TT520II includes a built-in wireless transmission and an RT transmitter. There are also 16 channels for triggering other flash units.
Moreover, this flash for Sony A7 cameras has eight variable flash outputs. So feel free to decrease power from 1/128 or increase to full to meet your flashlight needs.
To give you further flexibility, the flashgun offers a rotatable and tilting head. Thus, it allows you to bounce the lighting at almost any angle for softer illumination.
Finally, the Godox TT520II includes multiple auto-self protections to save power and prevent overheating.
Despite all these advantages, this external flash lacks automatic TTL control. Also, some users had difficulty syncing the flash with the trigger. A few were also disappointed that it does not use the standard size jack connector, restricting them from syncing it with the PC.
Nevertheless, the Godox TT520II is hard to beat, especially for its price and numerous features. It is one of the best Sony camera flashes.
Pros:
- Powerful and variable flash output from 1/128 to full
- The speedlite flash offers both master manual mode and slave functionality
- Rotating and tilting head for bouncing the light
- Auto-self protections to save power and prevent overheating
- Affordable flash unit
Cons:
- No automatic TTL control
- It is difficult to sync the flash with the trigger
How to Choose the Best Flash for Sony A7R II
When choosing the best flash for Sony A7R II, it is easy to get overwhelmed with unfamiliar terms and functions.
Fortunately, we will discuss the essential features you need to consider below. Hopefully, the following information helps you make the right purchasing decision.
Power
One of the first factors to consider before buying an external flash is the power output. Make sure to purchase a unit that can reach the subject and background you want to illuminate. The best way to do this is by checking the guide number (GN) of the flashgun.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the GN of the flash, the brighter the light it casts. So unless you don’t want too much light on your subject, go for a unit with a higher GN.
Control Mode
Some external flashes offer automatic TTL control, while others only have manual control. So before buying a flashgun, weigh each one’s pros and cons.
TTL metering automatically calculates the required amount of light in the scene. Therefore, if you are a beginner, this metering mode will be more suitable for you.
Those who want more creative control may want to invest in a manual flash instead. It depends on you to set the proper flash settings based on your needs and preferences.
Flexibility
You might also want to consider an external flash with a flexible head. Look for one that can rotate 360 degrees or tilt up to 90 degrees.
Investing in this type of flash head gives you more versatility when shooting. For one, it enables you to bounce the light at almost any angle, resulting in a natural-looking image.
Recycle Rate
The recycle rate determines how long the flash cools down before firing again. The shorter the recycle time, the faster you can use the unit again.
This buying factor is essential for action and sports photographers who usually take burst images. So before finalizing your purchasing decision, think about whether you need the rapid-fire feature or not.
Durability
If you will be shooting in outdoor or harsh conditions, it is best to get a durable flash for Sony A7R II. Consider the material used in the unit. As much as possible, avoid cheap plastic ones as they tend to break down quickly.
Temperature Control
For those who plan to shoot for extended periods, consider getting a flash with a temperature control feature.
It will help prevent overheating, so you can comfortably hold the flash and your camera. A cooler flash also means that you do not have to deal with the unit shutting down suddenly.
Advanced Flash Features
Besides the factors above, we also recommend checking out other advanced flash features. These include wireless triggering if you want to connect and control other units, flash exposure compensation, and auto-self protections.
Price
Finally, consider the price of the flash instead of looking for other options. It is best to set your budget based on your needs and personal preferences, so you can narrow down your choices. For one, you might want a high-tech flash, but you don’t necessarily need all its features. So make sure to shop within your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need an external flash for my Sony A7RII Camera?
The Sony A7RII does not have a built-in flash, unlike most cameras. So if you wish to illuminate the subject in low-light situations, you need to invest in a quality external flash. It casts powerful light over the scene, thus ensuring that it is properly exposed. Also, a flash unit usually features a flexible head, which enables you to bounce the light for softer illumination.
Which flash is better for Sony A7RII: manual or TTL flash?
It will depend on your needs and preferences.
If you do not want to tinker with the flash settings and shoot non-stop, a flash with automatic TTL control might be suitable for you. It automatically measures the amount of light required within a scene. Thus, it eliminates the need to adjust the flash output whenever you move.
Meanwhile, those who want to achieve a specific lighting effect can find a manual flash more suited for their needs. It allows you to set the flash output for versatility.
How to hold the flash properly?
There are several ways to hold the flash for Sony A7R II. You can simply carry them with your hands for casual shoots. Or you can use a monopod or even a tripod to handle professional and heavier flash units.
Conclusion
That sums up our top picks of the best flash for Sony A7R II! Each product on this list casts powerful light to help you achieve brighter and higher-quality photos.
But if you are looking for the overall best flash for your Sony camera, consider the Godox Xpro-S. It produces powerful light that can illuminate subjects up to 328 feet away. It also offers manual and automatic TTL control, multi-group mode, wireless connectivity, and master/slave triggering function. All these features are available in a lightweight and affordable unit.