Sony HVLF20M, MI Shoe External Flash for Alpha SLT/NEX (Black)

This seems to be the go-to "cheap" flash unit for Sony mirrorless APS-C cameras like NEX6 and the newer Alphas (i.e., Alpha 6000). I've not seen any reviews of it being used with RX100M2 which its compatible with, so I went on blind faith that thing will turn out okay. RX100M2 is a nifty little camera with excellent image quality but it's also been one of my most frustrating cameras to use b/c of the slow shutter speed it chooses for low light settings (wrote a lengthy review of that). I've also always struggled with the poppy-uppy-flashy of RX100M2. Direct flash is too harsh so often, I'd use bounce b/c the in-camera flash unit is spring loaded and can be tilted upwards as with most other Sony mirrorless cameras; however the bounce effect would only light up top half of the photo, so either the angle is wrong or the flash is too weak. I almost got to the point of selling the RX but decided to give it a try with this little guy (HLVF20M) to see how taking low-light, indoor photos might change. I used it at a wedding recently (as slave camera to the NEX5R outfit ;-) and must say, I got some fantastic photos with this thing out of RX100M2. I used bounce for all photos (the strobe can be pointed upwards), which is invaluable, and the pics came out smooth, evenly lit, and the color rendition was great. It looks rather funny to attach such a big piece of accessory to a little camera like RX100M2 but I really now appreciate the fact that the camera came with a hot shoe mount b/c it allows for things like this. If you think about it, to get TTL flash with a camera like RX100M2 is great. Also, the strobe part sits quite high distance apart from the camera lens, which is what you want anyway so this is good. Sadly, the updated RX100M3 model has dropped the hot shoe mount to make room for in-camera EVF, so as far as the RX100 series go, M2 is now the only model and perhaps the last model where you can attach external accessories. *Tears* Back to the flash unit. It's small, light, runs on its own batteries so the cycle time are fast and does not cut into the camera's battery, and is strong enough, as long as you're not expecting Speedlite-like strength and range. Again, the ability to bounce is invaluable. For mid-sized rooms, it's perfect. I do wish it had swivel but I'm not aware of any flash unit with swivel in this price range. One minor complaint is that the unit turns on/off by the hinge that's at the bottom of the unit. So in the off position, the flash unit sits parallel to the ground and to turn on, you swivel it upwards as you see in the product pic. I wish there was a separate on off switch, since the off position makes the unit protrude out compared to the depth of the RX100M2 camera. At $150, it's not a bad price at all especially when you think full-sized flash units are $400+.

I bought this flash for my SONY cameras for outdoor fill light on sunny days. This one is more than that. Can be a ceiling bounce and night time flash. Unfortunately it does not turn and does not have many positions BUT it is tiny, turns on and off by moving it up from the horizontal position and when fired sits quite high above the lens. Recharge time is fast. Control is from the camera (+/-, sync). Expensive but the ease of use and the dedicated SONY operation may justify the price. I used it with an a6400 and an a7RIII body.

I came very close to buying one of the many third-party inexpensive flash units available for my Sony A6000, but then I noticed the size and weight. The other units are about 50% larger in all dimensions, and they weight nearly a pound as compared to the HVLF20M's quarter-pound. This unit is small enough and light enough to fit in just about any compact camera bag along with the camera, kit lens and telephoto zoom lens. My biggest gripe is that the shooting options are limited. There is a setting for bounce flash, but there is only one option for it - to aim the light straight up at the ceiling. There is no way to adjust the light output other than through the exposure settings of the camera. On other other hand, unlike with third party units, the HVLF20M does not obstruct the A6000's pop-up flash, allowing the two to be used together. This makes the available flash output similar to that of the much heavier, third party units, and the flash output can be adjusted by using the pop-up flash alone, the HVLF20M alone, or the two together. Further, one can get a very pleasing effect by using the HVLF20M in bounce mode and the pop-up flash in direct mode - a combination not available on most third party flash units. The only other complaint I have is the lack of a separate on-off switch. The flash is turned on by snapping it into the upright position on the camera and off by flipping it back down, but this puts the hot shoe at a right angle with respect to the flash unit, which makes it more difficult to fit in a camera bag. The only way to store it in a camera bag with the hot shoe extended is to remove the batteries. I ended up cutting a hole in the mesh pocket of the lid of my camera bag with the hope that the hole doesn't get bigger with wear. At least the bag was only $15 - I'm not sure I'd have been willing to cut up a $50 camera bag.

This is not the most powerful flash but it is adequate for many uses including fill flash. If the ceilings are not too high it is a nice bounce flash. The unit is turned on by setting it upright as shown and turned off by folding it down. A switch on the side changes it from direct flash to bounce mode and a switch (dial) on the other side switches it from wide to tele. It uses two AAA batteries and recycles reasonably quick for its size and power. The only negative I find is that when off the camera one needs to remove the batteries to store it in its pouch as it is designed to go in the pouch in the on position. This unit is fully integrated into the camera and all its controls are through the camera so no dials or settings on the unit itself. For some this could be a negative. While it can act as a trigger to slave units I don't believe it has the ability to be a slave.

This is a great little flash. I use it on my Sony A6000 and it's surprisingly good. Cycles in about 1 sec and it's powered by 2 AAA batteries. Some people may complain that there is no on/off switch. When the flash is up, it's on. When it's flat light a right angle, it's off. That too bothered me when I ordered it, but I figured out a work around. If you leave the flash in the on (up) position while mounted on your camera, and then turn off the camera, the power on the flash will go off as well even though it's officially in the "on" position. The reason this is good is that now it's off and flat so that it can fit into a camera bag better. If you use the Think Tank Mirrorless mover bags, this will fit perfectly into the iPhone pocket. Great little flash and gets the job done for those occasional fill flash moments.

Basic Small, nice, functional flash unit. The main problem is the AAA batteries, which are good for 15-20 flash only. After the 20 shouts the charge time become too long. I whish that it was design to use AA batteries instead

Full disclosure, I recently moved from Nikon DSLRs to the Sony NEX format. I did it for size. As good as my Nikon D300 was, I hardly ever took it out because it was like carrying a brick around my neck. This speedlight is perfect. It is MUCH smaller than the standard DSLR speedlights. The on/off is integrated into the hing where you can fold down the light. So, you fold it up and it's on, fold it back down and it turns off. It has bounce flash (only up, it does not rotate) and straight flash. It also has a built in defuser. It is pretty simple and has no controls on the flash itself other than the defuser and bounce / no-bounce. All other flash controls are completely in Camera. It's small, light, and simple. Good product.

I was initially so worried when I took this out of the box. But then once I started using this flash I noticed that it indeed is much brighter and covers a wide swath of the field in view. Sony is done quite well by compactly cramming light bounce feature and a brilliant diffuser at the top. It works so good that I can use it for macros without washing out the subject. I also like the fact that the light is raised above the lens by almost 4 inches, so long lenses can be used with out shadowing. The soft bag for the flash adds to it's protective elegance.

I love this one because it's small, less weight and reliable. I am using this with a f4 lens, so it will give me 20/4=5 meter range. It's perfect for house parties and when I am traveling, at night, I am using it to illuminate my subject and with slow shutter is capturing the background real light, you will have amazing pictures. Also, I am using it as a commander for other Sony flash and another big one. I recommend this one to all action camera guys. You have to travel light and this is light with big performance.

Fits Sony 6300 perfectly. Not too big. Adjustable indirect of reflective flash.

Very nice flash. I wish it had more adjustable settings to compete with other flashes, but the simplicity is also a great thing.

Does the job it claims. A bit pricey though but it's a Sony, you should expect.

I had a hard tone deciding which flash to get that was within my price range. It was only after I got it that I realized it wasn't powerful enough and that I really needed TTL.