Godox, Should I buy a Godox AD100 Pro or V1? | Equipment Comparison Guide

Godox: The release of the AD100 Pro is the talk of the town in the Godox community at the minute and everybody is trying to get as much info on this new light as possible! But what we have found people asking most is, exactly how does this light match up with the existing Godox lights?  

To answer this question we have decided to write a comparison piece between the AD100 Pro and the most similar Godox flash, the V1 on-camera flash. We will be going over the pros and cons of each, as well as shedding some advice on just which one might be right for you.  

Similarities  

There are many similarities between these two flash heads! Both are designed and sold as portable flash heads, meaning that both can easily be popped in a bag and taken on location, on the move, or abroad. However, thanks to their powerful nature, both flashes hold their own in a studio setup as well.  

The two flashes both also feature a magnetic round head which allows for other Godox attachments, such as the AK-R1 accessory kit or AK-R11 dome diffuser to be attached quickly and easily. This also means that both provide an equal and balanced round light, capable of filling a softbox.

Off-Camera Flash vs On-Camera Flash  

The main difference of these two lights is the off-camera/on-camera nature of both. The AD100 Pro is solely an off-camera flash, and whilst the V1 can be used off-camera (with the correct accessories) it is generally designed as an on-camera flash, making both flashes very different in nature.  

The main benefit of off-camera flash is having the ability to move your light around the subject, as well as add multiple lights from different angles! The AD100 Pro can be positioned anywhere around the subject of your photography, at any height, direction, angle or distance!  

The V1 in comparison is designed as an on-camera flash. This has a big effect on the lighting supplied as generally speaking, it is designed to fit onto the hot shoe mount of your DSLR. This means that on-camera flash is more restricted when it comes to lighting options as you can only fire from the location of your camera.  

Having said this, the V1, and other on-camera flashes, can be used off-camera with the right accessories, as well as a trigger, making this actually a more versatile option in terms of lighting! The AD100 Pro can only be used off-camera, whereas the V1 has the capability to do both.  

Another key difference between off and on-camera flash is the addition of lighting modifiers to your lighting setup! Whilst on-camera flash modifiers do exist, such as flash light softboxes, the lighting modifiers and accessories for off-camera flash are far more varied and advanced! Like we have said, the V1 can however be used off-camera to make use of these lighting options if required!

Power  

The biggest question that we get about these two lights is the power that they each give out. AD100 Pro, like all lights in the AD series, gives this away in the title; supplying 100Ws of power from a very compact design. The V1 in comparison offers 76Ws from again a very small and portable design.  

Both lights offer an impressive amount of power for such a small design, but the AD100 Pro just inches into the lead on this front! This light is perfect for dropping into your pocket and using on the move, whilst still packing a punch where power is concerned. If you want a light that is small in size and yet keeps the power behind it, the AD100 Pro is a perfect light for you!  

This having been said, the V1 is capable of supplying 480 full-power flashes of a single charge, whilst the AD100 Pro supplies 360. The V1 therefore will keep your shoot going for longer on a single charge, despite the fact that the batteries of these two lights are compatible with each other. 

What You Get  

The accompanying kit is a big factor when it comes to which flash you choose as it can often help or hinder your photography! The V1 is quite limited in terms of extra equipment you get with this kit; in the box, alongside your V1, you will find a carry case, a battery and a charger.  

With the AD100 Pro you get much the same, charger, battery, manual, and carry case. However, with the AD100 Pro you get the added bonus of the Godox AD-E2 bracket which allows you to attach your flash head to any light stand, as well as attach a studio umbrella! This does mean that the AD100 Pro slots into your existing kit without necessarily purchasing any extra accessories. To attach a softbox to the AD100 Pro (as with the V1) you will need an S2 bracket that will create a Bowens S-Fit flash head, however, unlike the V1, the AD100 Pro can be attached to a light stand without buying this extra piece of kit!  

Overall 

With both flashes you are getting a high-quality product capable of creating professional results. The choice between the two totally depends on your style of photography, the power you need, and your preference of style of flash! We hope this guide has given you a run-down of everything you need to know to make an informed choice between these two flash heads.