Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light
The Sony HVL-20DW2 Video light is switchable between 10W and 20W. Designed to mount onto the camcorder's accessory shoe, the HVL-20DW2 provides 10W operation when used with an NPF-550 InfoLithium battery, and 20W operation when used with NP-F750 or NP-F960 InfoLithium batteries (batteries must be purchased separately).
Note! Camcorders without an accessory shoe require the optional VCT-S30L shoe bracket.
- Dual Operation
- 10 Watts or 20 Watts can be selected by the user.
| Lamp Type |
10 Watts x2 XB-20DX |
| Mount Type | Accessory Shoe |
| Power Source | L Series Info-lithium Batteries (optional) |
| Power Consumption | 10 / 20 Watt selectable |
| Power Connector | L Series Info-lithium Battery Connector |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) |
1 15/16 x 2 5/8 x 4 5/8" 4.8 x 6.4 x 11.5cm |
| Weight |
0.09 lbs 100 grams |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 83 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
91%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Lightweight (33)
- Easy to setup (22)
- Easy to use (18)
- Reliable (17)
- Attach securely (15)
Cons
- Runs hot (6)
- Heavy (5)
- Uses power quickly (5)
- Flimsy (3)
- Flimsy design (3)
Best Uses
- Weddings (35)
- Artificial lighting (12)
- Outdoor events / games (11)
- Professional work (10)
- Shooting indoors (10)
- How long have you owned it:
A month or less
45%
(5 reviews)
One-to-three months
Three-to-six months
More than six months
- Reviewer Profile:
- Pro photographer (17), Film professional (12), Tech savvy (12), Aspiring film maker (6), Semi-pro photographer (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (16)
Most Liked Positive Review
Very Functional
I does what it does--shines light on your subject from your camera. I use it with my Sony HDR-FX1 and it works great. The light is light-weight--no pun intended ;-)....Read complete review
I does what it does--shines light on your subject from your camera. I use it with my Sony HDR-FX1 and it works great. The light is light-weight--no pun intended ;-).
I bought two more batteries (NP-F770) just for this light. The standard HDR-FX1 battery (NP-F570) will only power one of the lights. You will need the NP-F970 or the NP-F770 to light both.
I don't like using the bigger NP-F970 because it seems too heavy on the front of my camera so the NP-F770 seems to work much better as far as over-all weight is concerned.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good light output, needs improvement
This light puts out quite a bit of light. On camera does give good lumens to around 15 feet. You could always do better for light, but actually went back to this light after...Read complete review
This light puts out quite a bit of light. On camera does give good lumens to around 15 feet. You could always do better for light, but actually went back to this light after trying LED lights. The drop off on LED is quite significant! Halagens give a bit more broadcast for the buck! One major flaw in this item is that is does not have a battery indicator, so you have no idea how much battery is left when using the light. If you use both the top and bottom lamp, the bottom lamp will turn off when battery is low, but it sure would be nice to know exactly how much time is left on the battery while you are using. Its M series counterpart had a lighted gage that showed battery life, but this one has nothing?? Needs to be added in future! This item is a bit pricey when you truly think about the fact that you will get only about 100 hours out of it. That is about [$] per hour of use?? But overall not bad, considering the alternatives. If you buy one, get it at B&H, they have the lowest costs around! I checked!
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 83 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
The product is pretty nice, even for the DSLR.
But the battery is heavy, and expensive. And I didn't know that I had to get a battery charger as well... oh well....
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
Cons
- Face Falls Off Easily
- Long To Charge
- Runs Very Hot
Best Uses
- Interviews At Events
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Very bright and in your face,throw a trace over this small light and it fills for interviews well,i use it alot for interviews at events where sometimes you have time contraints or it is difficult to run power for a proper interview set-up! Buy the charger kit and another battery for this light so u can still use your PD 170 Battery! I bought the generic battery and charger and works fine with this light.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I've never used a light before, but since this came free with the Sony HDR-FX1000 camcorder package, I figured I'd try it out. It's awesome! The ability to use one or two lights for different situations is great, and the fact that it accepts my three different sizes of Sony camcorder batteries means I can use some of my old camcorder batteries with it. It does use up alot of juice using the two light mode, but that was to be expected.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Good in Low Light
Cons
- Awkward on switch
Best Uses
- Low Light
- Skateboarding
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Super easy to use, and it's great that it uses the same batteries as my camera (sony vx2100).
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Travel
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Small light...didn't expect anymore from it than what it is supposed to do. Seems to be pretty narrow on the beam width, but if you need just direct light to cover a subject within 10 feet, it will do in a pinch.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good in Low Light
Cons
Best Uses
- HD Shooting
- Indoors/Low Light
- Movies/Short Films
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Great for a quick lighting situation.
Pros
- Bright Light
- Easy to Use
- Good range
Cons
- Gets hot
Best Uses
- Documentaries
- Home Movies
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I got this light to compliment my recently purchased Sony NX5U. I have not been disappointed. The dual light output of this product will easily light up subjects that are 15 to 20 feet away.
The lights are definately bright, almost blinding. If you're planning on shooting people with this, I recommend getting some vellum paper from your local crafts store and making a diffuser for it. They usually sell 2 or 3 different "weights". Get one of each and try them out. I did this for a couple bucks and taped it, using 2 strips of painters tape (no residue left when removed), to the light. Think of it being "U" shaped with the legs of the U being about 1/4" per side to allow the paper to be placed a bit away from the front of the light (because it gets hot!) Also by not being right on the glass, it helps diffuse the light more.
You'll want to make sure and white balance after doing this cheap-o diffuser technique because it definately changes the color temp. (This same kind of technique works great for diffusing on-camera DSLR pop up flashes too!)
When diffusing the light with vellum, you'll lose quite a bit of your effective range. In my limited testing, I'd say you'll want to be within 6' to 10' of your subject.
In conclusion I like this light so much, I'm probably going to get at least one more, so I can add some backlighting for wedding shots like the cake cuttings and to help add some light to the dance floor for the first dance and bouquet and garter toss etc.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Inconvenient Power switch
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Fill light
- Weddings
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I use these lights for fill. Great when you need total portability especially on location. Lightweight and decent quality as well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Photography
- Portraits
- Strobe Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
all I can state regarding the Video light is that it is a perfect resource to create incredible video. I would highly recommend it for it is worth its price and one will not regret its purchase. the light video is like a helper, perhaps an assistant ,that is there 24/7.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Spain
Cons
Best Uses
- Strobe Lighting
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I use this product for video reports
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
- Somewhat fragile
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I really enjoy this light. I've used it for over 2 years as a documentary filmmaker and it can be very powerful when both lights are turned on. I often film folks in the nightlife world, and believe me, it illuminates all the clear, crisp details of their makeup, personality and performances!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Provides enough light, don't over power subjects or make persons squint. Definitely a good buy especially when you consider the price. This product also takes a beating. Drop it many times and it's still going.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
its have problem ,one light work and the other is not working
Pros
Cons
- Poorly designed shoe moun
Best Uses
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I really want to like this light but after owning 4 of them and every one breaking at the shoe mount, I will pass. It is also a bit top heavy with the full size sony battery. I love the light but hate the flawed cheap shoe mount.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
Cons
- Narrow Light spread
Best Uses
- Weddings
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I bought this light so I can use all Sony batteries instead of bringing Canon. Also, I needed a light like this when I don't have time to setup by non instant Frezzolini 100Watts.
It turns out that this light at full 20Watts is actually 2 (two) F/stops weaker and warmer than the Canon VL-10Li (being 10 watts that looks like 20W).
The Canon VL-10Li light spread is much wider so you can still cover the subject from 3 feet away. Didn't do much for me. I'm staiyng with the Canon VL-10Li I bought in 2007.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy Setup
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Great light
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I have used this light for a couple of years now and it's works great for closeup interviews. Anything beyond 10' or so, doesn't do much. I use this mainly for weddings and receptions where I can't control the light. Here's a tip...if you want to diffuse the light (most definitely), cut out a piece of parchment paper and use some gafe tape to help diffuse light. I have a piece that's folded over 4 times to soften this light. Parchment paper is a great work around on any lights as it's cheap and easy to find at any grocery store and it can withstand the heat.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Weddings
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I film weddings and then edit them. This light proved very valuable in getting much better lit scenes during some darker parts of the filming. However, I will be placing a diffuser on the light for two reasons: (1) to spread the light so it does not create the "deer in the headlights" vignetted-scene look and (2) to help save the eyesight of those I get close to film.
Remember you must have an extra battery (Sony L series) to use it - it does not draw power from the shoe or camera.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Videography
- Weddings
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
I'm a professional wedding videographer. This is the second HVL-20DW2 20W that I have purchased. Super reliable and long lasting. I'll probably buy another one!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy Setup
- Lightweight
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Artificial Lighting
- Street skateboarding
Comments about Sony HVL-20DW2 20W Video Light:
Lightweight, doesn't eat up battery power, uses the same batteries as the sony vx 2000 camera, very bright. a good investment.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Power
- Price: $98.90
- Price: $84.95
Stands & Support Equipment
- Price: $24.95
Color Correction & Light Balancing
- Price: $2.50
Misc Accessories and Adapters
- Price: $13.29
What's in the Box
-
90 Day Parts,
1 Year Labor Warranty
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