Canon Announces Two New Speedlite Flashes (320EX and 270EX II)
Just as the new Canon EOS Rebel T3 and T3i cameras are coming to market, Canon has also announced two new affordable external Speedlite flash units, the Speedlite 320EX and 270EX II (available April 29, 2011).
Since I’ve been buying Canon gear, the only real choices have been the top-of-the-line Speedlite 580EX II and the advanced-intermediate Speedlite 430EX II. I own one of each and love them but they add up if you want three or more units.
The current entry-level option is the 270EX. Beyond issues of lower strength, this flash can’t be commanded wirelessly and it can’t swivel. Yes, you can point it upwards for a ceiling bounce but don’t you dare rotate your camera into portrait mode! Aren’t flashes used primarily for portraits?!
So, it’s welcome news to learn of Canon’s announcement. Here’s a quick summary:
- New mid-range option:
Speedlite 320EX
(includes wireless option + new video light feature) - Entry-level replacement:
Speedlite 270EX II
(includes wireless option but still can’t swivel)
Wireless E-TTL
For me, the most important feature they have is their ability to be triggered wirelessly while still using E-TTL. This exists already in the 580EX II and 430EX II but it’s now available in these more affordable units as well. These two new units do have some limitations but I’ll discuss that a bit later.
Wireless off-camera flash is clearly the way forward for Canon given the inclusion of a wireless Speedlite transmitter in the new Rebel T3i in addition to the Canon EOS 7D and 60D.
For those with older Canon models, a Canon 580EX II can be used as a Speedlite transmitter or you can buy a dedicated Canon ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter (these are expensive options unfortunately).
Integrated Flash Release Function
Interestingly, the new flashes also include a built-in IR remote. It can be used to remotely trigger the shutter on your camera with a 2-second delay from up to 16' away.
Your camera still has to drive the flash so the exposure and flash sync are in sync (you can’t avoid the need for a Speedlite transmitter). Also, the 2-second delay is fixed so you can’t use it to “catch” any action.
If this type of feature excites you, just pick up a separate IR remote for $25 or less. I’m sure you can still hold a flash in your hand while pressing another button.
See the Canon website for more information about the integrated flash release function.
Canon Speedlite 320EX
Here’s a few highlights from Canon on the Speedlite 320EX…
- Built-in LED light can be used to illuminate nearby subjects in dim light — especially useful when shooting video, as a modeling light or as an AF assist beam (with Live View), providing up to four hours of continuous lighting with fully-charged AA batteries.
- Versatile vertical and horizontal bounce capability provides an extended range of possible lighting effects.
- Flash release function triggers the camera wirelessly from the flash on a 2-second delay, allowing the flash to be repositioned to illuminate the subject.
- Wireless Slave function supports three groups and four channels, allowing the flash to be positioned off-camera. (some limitations)
- Flash coverage can be switched by extending or retracting flash head, with Normal (24mm full-frame equivalent, max. Guide No. 79 ft./24m at ISO 100) and Tele (50mm full-frame equivalent, max. Guide No. 105 ft./32m at ISO 100) settings.
- Light and compact body holds 4 AA batteries with a fast recycle time of 2.0 seconds.
There is a limitation with the wireless functionality which is clearly stated by Canon:
When set as a “slave unit”, the Speedlite 320EX always operates in E-TTL mode. Unlike the higher-end 430EX II and 580EX II, there’s no separate Mode switch to change this, nor is there a specialized Independent Slave Manual mode. Note that if used conventionally on-camera, manual flash mode can be set, using the external flash menu of compatible EOS cameras, and manual power is then adjustable from full 1/1 power down to 1/64th power.
The biggest downside of this unit is its strength. Its nearly half the power of the flagship 580EX II (guide No. 190'/58m) and one-third less power than the mid-range 480EX II (guide No. 141'/43m).
The 320EX will be available at the end of April 2011 for US$240 (B&H) / CAD$300 (Vistek). That’s only US$35 less than the more powerful 430EX II. Canon calls that “well below” the price of the 430EX II but I beg to differ.
More information is available from on the Canon website including its full specifications.
I would consider picking this up as my third flash but since I’d use it for a background or rim/hair light, I would miss the manual setting while in slave mode. It otherwise has enough power for that purpose.
I also wonder how good that video light can be given it’s so small (i.e. not a grid of LEDs). I won’t be convinced that it’s flattering light until I see some demos. Overall, given the price difference, I’d probably just buy another 430EX II.
Canon Speedlite 270EX II
Here’s a few highlights from Canon on the Speedlite 270EX II…
- Ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight, high-performance flash unit.
- Vertical bounce capability up to 90 degrees provides a wide range of picture-taking options (doesn’t swivel)
- Flash coverage can be switched between Normal (28mm full-frame equivalent, max. Guide No. 72 ft./22m at ISO 100) and Tele (50mm full-frame equivalent, max. Guide No. 89 ft./27m at ISO 100).
- Wireless Slave function allowing the flash to be positioned off-camera (some limitations)
- Flash release function triggers the camera wirelessly from the flash on a 2-second delay, allowing the flash to be repositioned to illuminate the subject.
Here’s how it looks when you make it bounce off the ceiling. If only it could swivel.
This unit has even more limitations when it’s operated wirelessly. Canon states it pretty them clearly:
- It’s compatible with ALL Canon channels, 1 thru 4, and they cannot be pre-set individually on the flash. No issue if a photographer is working alone using wireless E-TTL, but just be aware that if you are in an area with more than one Canon EOS shooter using wireless flash, the 270EX II can be set-off by any photographer’s “master” unit if they’re nearby.
- The 270EX II is always part of Group A — no exceptions. There’s no way to set this or override it. When shooting with a single off-camera Speedlite, this obviously presents no issue. Likewise, if shooting with more than one “slave unit” off-camera, if all are firing at even power (no ratio is set), this again is of no concern to the photographer. But if you are working with an A:B or A:B C ratio, understand that any 270EX II Speedlites will automatically join the “A” group. (You can freely set A, B and C groups to other Speedlite models being used in a wireless E-TTL set-up along with one or more 270EX IIs; just remember that the 270s will always be part of Group A.)
- Like the new 320EX, the 270EX II cannot be set to Manual flash mode when it’s set as a “slave unit”. Again, manual flash exposure control is possible when the 270EX II is used on-camera, via the external flash menu of compatible Canon EOS SLRs.
The 270EX II will be available at the end of April 2011 for for US$170 (B&H) / CAD$200 (Vistek). That’s pretty affordable so it might be worth buying as a second, third or fourth off-camera flash. Without the ability to swivel, however, it would never be attached to my camera.
More information is available from on the Canon website including its full specification.
I personally would never consider this flash given the lack of swivel. The wireless limitations are not wonderful either. If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend stepping up to the 320EX at least but the 430EX II still seems to be a “best buy” for those with a 7D, 60D or T3i.
Current Lineup of Canon Speedlites
Here’s a comparison photo that shows the relative sizes of the flashes. The 580EX II is indeed quite big and heavy (13.2 oz / 375g) but it does come with power and pro-grade features.
Here’s a Canadian price summary with links to buy online:
