Zhiyun Fiveray M40 review

The Zhiyun Fiveray M40 is a powerful yet portable video light, but what's it good for?

Zhiyun Fiveray M40 Video Light
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

If you require a constant video light with the smallest possible footprint but the most lighting power, then the Zhiyun Fiveray M40 should be a serious contender for your kit bag. This light gets so much right, with exceptional style, solid build quality, and a face-melting brightness from a very compact and portable device. Although all this goodness comes at the price of it being a little on the heavy side, and its quick and easy control system turns out to be both a blessing and a curse.

Pros

  • +

    Seriously bright

  • +

    Solid build quality

  • +

    Intuitive control system

Cons

  • -

    Controls easily change accidentally

  • -

    No colors or effects

  • -

    A little heavy

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The video light market is a very crowded area with a lot of tough competition, from a wide range of brands, including some of our best video lights. Zhiyun has a lot of experience creating excellent gimbals, but the Fiveray M40 is the latest in a new venture into video lighting solutions from Zhiyun together with the Fiveray F100 light stick and the Zhiyun Fiveray FR100C Light Wand, which we gave a glowing review.

On specs alone, the M40 is primed to make an impact. It's a pocketable little video light that packs impressive 40W power, and at only 320g it manages to include 176 LED chips giving a peak brightness of 14,000 lux, which places it far ahead of much of the current competition in devices of this size and weight. At around $99/£99 it is very competitively priced.

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Gareth Bevan
Reviews Editor

Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.

With contributions from