ZHIYUN C100: 100W of Pure Cyberpunk Power Lighting Up the Night!

Hello! I’m Antoine, a photographer based in Seoul, and today I’m excited to share my thoughts on the Zhiyun Cinepeer C100 light. Zhiyun, a brand I’ve been following for a while, recently reached out to me to review their new product, and after using it extensively, I’m here to give you a detailed look at why this compact, powerful light is a must-have for any professional or aspiring creator.

That’s was the opportunity to set up a photoshoot with Ana Harmsen, an awesome model and Thibaud my friend who helped me recording the backstage. The prupose is to show you how we can use these TUBE LED in a real context.

Key Features and First Impressions

The Zhiyun C100 is a 100W light packed into a compact design, making it incredibly portable without sacrificing power. It comes with a reflector, power cable, and a clamp for flexible positioning, allowing you to mount the light easily and adjust its direction during shoots. The overall build quality is fantastic for the price, and it’s clear that Zhiyun has put a lot of thought into making this light user-friendly and versatile.

From the start, I was impressed with how lightweight and easy to carry this light is. It fits right into my backpack, making it perfect for on-the-go shoots, yet it still delivers enough power to handle even night photography or interviews.


Versatile Lighting Options

One of the standout features of the C100 is its color versatility. You can adjust between warm and cool temperatures with a simple dial, and it supports full RGB lighting, so you can choose any color you need for your setup. Whether you’re going for a natural look or something more dramatic (like a “Blade Runner” vibe with blue and red tones), this light gives you complete creative control.

It also features HSI mode, which allows you to fine-tune your lighting to get exactly the right tint—perfect for balancing skin tones or matching a specific scene’s mood. Additionally, the light has various built-in effects like paparazzi flashes, SOS signals, and even a mode where the light reacts to ambient sound, making it ideal for creative video projects or live streaming.

Power and Performance

Despite its compact size, the C100 is incredibly powerful. At just 21% brightness, it was already more than bright enough for most indoor shoots. You can push it all the way to 100% power, making it perfect for night photography or situations where you need a lot of light without bumping up your ISO and introducing grain into your shots.


I also found the cooling system very efficient, keeping the light running smoothly without overheating, even during longer shoots. There’s a built-in fan and grill system that ensures the light stays cool, which helps extend its battery life and performance.


Ease of Use

One of the things I loved most about the Zhiyun C100 is how simple it is to use. The controls are straightforward: a power button, a mode button, and an adjustment dial for fine-tuning the brightness and color. You don’t even need to read the manual—it’s that intuitive.


The light also comes with an app, allowing you to control it wirelessly, which is perfect when you’re adjusting settings mid-shoot without having to walk over to the light. Just connect via Bluetooth, and you’re good to go.

Specifications of the Zhiyun C100 Light

For those who are into the technical details, here are the full specifications of the Zhiyun C100 light:

Battery Capacity: 6S/4500mAh

Max Power: 100W

Color Temperature Range: 2700K-6500K

Illuminance (at Max Power, without Modifier):

Overall Illuminance: 3870 lux

Charging and Battery Performance:

Charging Time (PD Fast Charging): 3 hours 53 minutes

Runtime (at Max Power): 54 minutes

Physical and Environmental Specs:

Product Size: 361mm x 58.7mm x 72.5mm

Product Net Weight: 1337g

Zhiyun C100 Light: Quick Mode Overview

The Zhiyun C100 light offers various modes for full control over your lighting setup:

  • 1. CCT Mode: Adjust brightness (0-100%), color temperature (2700K-6500K), and green-magenta tint (-10 to +10) for natural lighting.

  • 2. HSI Mode: Control hue (0°-360°), saturation (0-100%), and intensity (0-100%) for full RGB color adjustment.

  • 3. RGB Mode: Manually adjust red, green, and blue light levels (0-100%) to create custom colors.

  • 4. FX Pixel Mode: Dynamic lighting effects like Color Fade, Color Chase, and Rainbow Move, with adjustable brightness and speed.

  • 5. FX Mode: Special effects including SOS, Paparazzi, Candle, Police Car, and more, with customizable brightness and speed.

  • 6. Music Mode: Light reacts to ambient sound, with options to adjust brightness and number of colors (1-7).

  • 7. Menu Settings: Change language, reset Bluetooth, and check firmware version.

Who Is It For?

The Zhiyun C100 is perfect for both photographers and videographers. It’s compact enough to take anywhere, powerful enough for professional use, and versatile enough to handle a wide range of creative projects. Whether you’re shooting portraits, product photos, interviews, or even experimenting with creative video lighting, this light has you covered.

Zhiyun C100 Light: Standard vs. Combo Versions & Pricing

When purchasing the Zhiyun C100, you have two versions to choose from: Standard and Combo, each offering different accessories for your lighting setup.

- Standard Version ($299 USD)

• Main Device x1

• USB Type-C Cable x1

• Barn Doors x1

• Diffuser x1

• Quick Start Guide x1

• Storage Bag x1

Final Price with Discounts: $255.60 USD

- Combo Version ($399 USD)

The Combo version includes everything from the Standard version plus additional accessories:

• DC Power Adapter x1

• Power Adapter Organizer Bag x1

• Grids x1

• Light Clamp x1

Final Price with Discounts: $341.10 USD

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Zhiyun C100 is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a powerful, portable, and affordable light. Its versatility in color and lighting options, combined with its compact design and ease of use, makes it a valuable addition to any photographer or videographer’s toolkit.

Thanks to Zhiyun for letting me try out this fantastic light, and to everyone involved in the shoot! Be sure to check out the profiles of our team in the description and stay tuned for more reviews.

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