Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash

  • Price: $139.95
  • GBP 88.46
  • B&H # SUPZ42XC
  • Mfr# PZ42XC

Product Highlights

  • For Canon SLR Cameras with E-TTL II
  • Manual Power & Zoom Head Settings
  • Guide No. 138' (42 m)

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Remember the Essentials

Batteries are not included. Please make sure to purchase batteries to operate the device.

The Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash is a flash unit designed to fully support current advanced digital SLR cameras. It is fully compatible with Canon E-TTL II enabled cameras.

The PZ42X has many advanced features, such as: automatic zoom head from 24-105mm, bounce and swivel capabilities, built in wide angle diffuser, and AF assist. It also offers several manual controls for the experienced photographer. It offers a bright and easy-to-read LCD display and easy-to-use controls for manual flash output, digital or film lens coverage and zoom head settings.

For a more detailed camera/features compatibility chart, please click here.

Fully compatible with E-TTL II capable SLR cameras, but also backwards-compatible with TTL metering for all earlier EOS cameras
AF Assist Light supports better autofocus performance in the dark (up to 16')
EV adjustment (-1.5, -1, -0.5, 0, +0.5, +1, +1.5)
Large panel with bright, easy-to-read LCD display
Flash-coverage scale on LCD screen
Automatic Shutdown mode shuts off flash from inactivity after several minutes
Type Shoe Mount
Guide No.
  • 138' (42 m) @ 105mm zoom position
  • 131' (40 m) @ 85mm zoom position
  • 125' (38 m) @ 70mm zoom position
  • 112' (34 m) @ 50mm zoom position
  • 92' (28 m) @ 35mm zoom position
  • 85' (26 m) @ 28mm zoom position
  • 78' (24 m) @ 24mm zoom position
  • Angle of Coverage 84° to 23° (24-105mm in 35mm format)
    Vari-Power Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 & 1/64
    TTL Dedication Yes, including E-TTL II
    Swivel Head Yes (with 180° left, 120° right)
    Bounce Head Yes (90° tilt)
    Off Camera Terminal No
    Zoom Head 24-105mm auto-zoom (flash senses focal length & adjusts), with Manual override
    Recycle Time 3.5 Seconds with fresh alkaline batteries & full power
    Power Source 4 1.5V AA batteries
    Dimensions 2.6 x 4.6 x 4.1" (66 x 117 x 104mm) WxHxD
    Weight 9.1 oz (258g) [without batteries]

    REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

    by PowerReviews
    Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash
     
    4.4

    (based on 101 reviews)

    Ratings Distribution

    • 5 Stars

       

      (51)

    • 4 Stars

       

      (43)

    • 3 Stars

       

      (5)

    • 2 Stars

       

      (1)

    • 1 Stars

       

      (1)

    97%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Pros

    • Easy to use (67)
    • Consistent output (62)
    • Fast recycling (53)
    • Lightweight (50)
    • Good power output (41)

    Cons

    • Slow recycling (10)
    • Heavy (7)

    Best Uses

    • General purpose (75)
    • Portraits (46)
    • Fill flash (44)
    • Night photography (31)
    • Photojournalism (15)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Photo enthusiast (29), Semi-pro photographer (26), Casual photographer (13), Enthusiast (11), Pro photographer (9)
      • Was this a gift?:
      • No (46), Yes (4)

    Most Liked Positive Review

     

    Great product

    I mostly use this flash on and off camera in manual mode. I love the 180º of swivel, auto/manual zoom, back light, ease of use, and size.

    The...Read complete review

    I mostly use this flash on and off camera in manual mode. I love the 180º of swivel, auto/manual zoom, back light, ease of use, and size.

    The thing I really dislike is the way the LCD cycles through the various mode functions in only one direction (e.g. if your in manual mode at full power and you want to set it at say 1/4 power and you accidentally set in 1/8 power you have to cycle through all power settings until you get back to 1/4--you can't just go back).

    I'd really love to see a PC connection on this flash for off-camera use. These limitations notwithstanding, this is an excellent little flash for those who don't wish to pay as much for a Canon 580 flash.

    VS

    Most Liked Negative Review

     

    No E-TTL with Canon T1i

    The E-TTL will not work with the T1i. It works fine in manual mode but the menu controls make it hard to adjust the exposure up and down. This is fine for portraits and ...Read complete review

    The E-TTL will not work with the T1i. It works fine in manual mode but the menu controls make it hard to adjust the exposure up and down. This is fine for portraits and other controlled situations but not good for spontaneous or less predictable lighting situations. It did work fine down to 1/320 sec for sports.

    Reviewed by 101 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-20

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    5.0

    Nice flash, especially for the price.

    By Mike

    from St. Louis area

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Consistent Output
    • Easy To Use
    • Fast Recycling
    • Lightweight
    • Versatile

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Fill Flash
      • General Use
      • Portraits

      Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

      So far this has been a great flash, especially for the price. It works like a charm and I've been quite happy with it since it arrived. I couldn't afford the Canon and this is a great alternative. The recycle time has been very fast so far.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Share this review

       
      1.0

      Broke the first time I used it

      By Rob

      from Treasure Coast, Fl

      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

      Verified Reviewer

      Pros

      • Powerful Output

      Cons

      • Poor quality

      Best Uses

        Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

        Used it on a beach shoot the first time I brought it out and it failed within 1 hr. I don't know if it was the salt air or a defect in materials or workmanship but it should have lasted longer then that. The new Canon Camera I bought with it is fine. Of course it was 13 days after B&H 30 warranty so they were happy to provide me with the manufacturers phone number to let them deal with it instead of taking care of the customer. Thank goodness for Amex.90 day damange / theft policy.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Share this review

         
        5.0

        cool flash

        By jazz

        from madison,wi

        About Me Casual Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • General Use
            • Night Photography
            • Portraits

            Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

            it does the job. easy to operate and feels so sturdy.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            good alternative to more expensive canon

            By peter

            from hadley, MA

            About Me Photo Enthusiast

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Easy To Use
            • Fast Recycling
            • Lightweight
            • Versatile

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Fill Flash
              • General Use
              • Portraits

              Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

              It does what it says it does, good bounce, fast recovery,long battery life,not too heavy. I have used it for 3 jobs and have no complaints. The re charger and batteries that were a bonus package were inconsistently recognized by the flash and I don't use them.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Share this review

              (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              I would buy this product again

              By Vic

              from Greenwich CT

              About Me Photo Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Fast Recycling
              • Powerful Output

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • General Use

                Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                Amatuer photographer...but serious.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • Yes

                Share this review

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                4.0

                Great flash!

                By Blakely

                from Georgetown, SC

                About Me Casual Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Fast Recycling
                • Powerful Output

                Cons

                • Heavy

                Best Uses

                  Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                  I have really enjoyed this flash. I am never scared that it wont fire up or cut off on me. And it has a great recycle time!

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  4.0

                  Value for the money

                  By Sachin

                  from Land Of Lincoln

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Consistent Output
                  • Easy To Use
                  • Powerful Output

                  Cons

                  • Slow Recycling

                  Best Uses

                  • General Use
                  • Portraits

                  Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                  I got this flash 3 weeks back and I could see the diference in my pictures. This external flash allowed me to use f5.6 and 1/180 sec. shutter speed in very low light room with my Canon T2i camera. The picture were sharp, clear and well lit. The TTL does work.
                  Drawbacks:
                  1. you cannot use this flash off camera
                  2. build quality is OK but not great
                  3. Recycle time is 10 seconds
                  But people like me who are on tight budget can definitely give it a try.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  Nice flash, nice price

                  By Magari Orev

                  from New York

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Versatile

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                      Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                      I am an enthusiastic photo user who wants to became a pro but doesn't have the possibility to buy very expensive material in the way so this flash is perfect. It is reliable, and ir works very well so I am learning a lot about lighting.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Share this review

                       
                      4.0

                      i would recommed this product

                      By Vijay

                      from phoenix, AZ

                      About Me Photo Enthusiast

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Consistent Output
                      • Durable
                      • Easy To Use
                      • Versatile

                      Cons

                      • Heavy
                      • Slow Recycling

                      Best Uses

                      • General Use
                      • Portraits

                      Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                      Good quality. Easy to use. I would recommed this product.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Share this review

                       
                      5.0

                      works great!

                      By ahaskin

                      from Doha, Qatar

                      About Me Casual Photographer

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                            Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                            This Flash is just great, works fine. Highly recommend it.

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

                            Share this review

                             
                            2.0

                            Worked great...when it worked...

                            By APSmomma

                            from Birmingham, Alabama

                            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Lightweight

                            Cons

                            • Slow Recycling

                            Best Uses

                              Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                              This product worked great and got the job done...until it stopped working on me half way through shooting a wedding. It just stopped flashing and wasn't communicating with my camera. The batteries were brand new and the flash was turning on and the camera was recognizing that it was attached, but it wouldn't flash. I will be returning this product and purchasing the Canon brand. I was giving Sunpak that benefit of the doubt because of the other great reviews, but I can't have a product quit functioning during a shoot.

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

                              Share this review

                               
                              5.0

                              Sunpak Flash for Canon Camera

                              By old salty sailor

                              from Florida

                              About Me Photo Enthusiast

                              Verified Buyer

                              Pros

                              • Easy To Use
                              • Fast Recycling
                              • Powerful Output

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Fill Flash
                                • General Use
                                • Night Photography

                                Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                Smooth operation, modes/options very easy to use. Tried with both wide angle and zoom lens. Very satisfied with its preformance.

                                • Was this a gift?:
                                • No

                                Share this review

                                 
                                4.0

                                best quality

                                By fmacias

                                from Queretaro, Mexico

                                About Me Pro Photographer

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Durable
                                • Easy To Use
                                • Lightweight
                                • Powerful Output

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                  • General Use
                                  • Night Photography
                                  • Portraits

                                  Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                  affordable best quality Flash

                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                  • Yes

                                  Share this review

                                   
                                  5.0

                                  So far it's great.

                                  By Dan

                                  from Green Bay, WI

                                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  Pros

                                    Cons

                                      Best Uses

                                        Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                        I bought this to replace my Metz 36, which tilted but did not swivel. Being able to swivel this flash makes it easy to bounce flash even in portrait orientation. So far the power of this flash has been adequate for shooting large interior spaces (e.g., real estate photography) even when bouncing the flash, and the TTL exposure seems pretty accurate. So far I'm loving this flash.

                                        • Was this a gift?:
                                        • No

                                        Share this review

                                         
                                        5.0

                                        Great value at economical cost!

                                        By The "Shoehorn"

                                        from Peterborough ONT.

                                        About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                        Verified Buyer

                                        Pros

                                        • Consistent Output
                                        • Easy To Use
                                        • Fast Recycling

                                        Cons

                                        • Heavy

                                        Best Uses

                                        • Fill Flash
                                        • Night Photography
                                        • Portraits

                                        Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                        I consider myself a photo enthusiast. Wanted more control when using flash especially with macro photography. Have ring flash but on occassion did not quite meet needs. Used unit about 4 times and am pleased. Perhaps a little heavy, however, 4 triple A batteries contributes significantly to unit weight. Am contemplating the purchase of a second unit.

                                        • Was this a gift?:
                                        • No

                                        Share this review

                                         
                                        4.0

                                        Nice inexpensive flash

                                        By Larry TVI

                                        from Lansdale, PA

                                        About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                        Verified Buyer

                                        Pros

                                        • Consistent Output
                                        • Easy To Use
                                        • Fast Recycling
                                        • Powerful Output
                                        • Versatile

                                        Cons

                                        • Bulky

                                        Best Uses

                                        • General Use

                                        Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                        Comparing what it costs to what it does, I would say it's a bargain. Perhaps it does not have some fancy features of the Canon flashes, but for an average amateur photographer this flash offers more than enough. Its longevity remains to be seen, I just started to use it, but otherwise it's a nice addition to my Digital Rebel. Recommend!

                                        • Was this a gift?:
                                        • Yes

                                        Share this review

                                        (0 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                                         
                                        5.0

                                        OMG it's soo cuute hahahah

                                        By Loo

                                        from Montenegro

                                        About Me Pro Photographer

                                        Pros

                                        • Easy To Use
                                        • Lightweight
                                        • Powerful Output

                                        Cons

                                          Best Uses

                                          • As a slave flash

                                          Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                          HAhaha I have just bought it 3 hours ago, tried it in my studio and outdoors in the shade with a 100cm umbrella. It's doing it's job in slave mode just fine :)
                                          It has pretty much power for it's size too.

                                          When you touch it it feels like it's been hand made buy kids for their school project hahahaha but works fine like a charm!

                                          The recycling time is a little bit slow when you use it on 1/1 power, but at lower power settings it's quick enough.

                                          • Was this a gift?:
                                          • No

                                          Share this review

                                           
                                          4.0

                                          Good quality for the price

                                          By Louis J.

                                          from Rouyn-Noranda, Canada

                                          About Me Photo Enthusiast

                                          Verified Buyer

                                          Pros

                                          • Easy To Use
                                          • Fast Recycling
                                          • Lightweight

                                          Cons

                                            Best Uses

                                            • Portraits

                                            Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                            Perfect second flash for a studio. Feel a little bit cheap but it works well.

                                            • Was this a gift?:
                                            • No

                                            Share this review

                                            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                                             
                                            4.0

                                            great budget flash, but not for strobist

                                            By bumss

                                            from Fort Lee, NJ

                                            About Me Pro Photographer

                                            Verified Buyer

                                            Pros

                                            • Consistent Output
                                            • Easy To Use
                                            • Fast Recycling
                                            • Lightweight

                                            Cons

                                            • Cant disable autosleep

                                            Best Uses

                                            • General Use

                                            Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                            I purchased two of these to test for off camera usage. These are excellent for on on camera use: relatively inexpensive, good power, fast recycle time. These would be great for off camera use only if there was an option to turn off the auto sleep function. An article on the internet says that if you hold both buttons and turn on the power it will disable the auto sleep mode, but this is NOT true.

                                            Other than that, it's an excellent budget flash.

                                            • Was this a gift?:
                                            • No

                                            Share this review

                                             
                                            4.0

                                            A nice little strobe

                                            By "G"

                                            from St. Paul, MN

                                            About Me Pro Photographer

                                            Verified Buyer

                                            Pros

                                            • Consistent Output
                                            • Easy To Use
                                            • Lightweight
                                            • Powerful Output
                                            • Versatile

                                            Cons

                                              Best Uses

                                              • Fill Flash
                                              • General Use
                                              • Photojournalism

                                              Comments about Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash:

                                              This strobe physically was a little smaller than I thought it would be, which is fine because its power is what I needed, not its footprint. It works well, but its instruction guide could use some work. Not that its not easy, just not easy enough; I am a photographer, after all.

                                              • Was this a gift?:
                                              • No

                                              Share this review

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                                              Batteries & Power

                                              Required item:

                                              Varta -  High-Energy 1.5 V AA E91 Alkaline Battery - 4 Pk
                                              • Price: $1.50
                                              • GBP 0.95
                                               
                                              Pearstone -  NM-4H23 4 AA NiMH Batteries (2300mAh) with 4 Hour Charger (110-240V)
                                              • Price: $13.99
                                              • GBP 8.84
                                               

                                              Flash Diffusers

                                              Pearstone -  Bounce Dome (Diffuser) for Nikon SB-600 Speedlights & Olympus FL-36 Flashes
                                              • Price: $9.50
                                              • GBP 6.00
                                               

                                              Reflectors

                                              ExpoImaging -  Rogue FlashBender Large Positionable Reflector
                                              • Price: $39.95
                                              • GBP 25.25
                                               

                                              Brackets

                                              Stroboframe -  Quick Flip 350 Bracket
                                              • Price: $34.98
                                              • GBP 22.11
                                               

                                              Sync Cords & Flash Remotes

                                              Vello -  TTL-Off-Camera Flash Cord for Canon EOS - 3' (1 m)
                                              • Price: $14.99
                                              • GBP 9.48
                                               

                                              Flash Pouch

                                              LensCoat -  LensCoat FlashKeeper (Black)
                                              • Price: $24.99
                                              • GBP 15.80
                                               

                                              Flash Accessories

                                              Vello -  FreeWave Fusion Wireless Flash Trigger & Remote Control (Canon)
                                              • Price: $99.95
                                              • GBP 63.18
                                               
                                              View all Accessories

                                              What's in the Box

                                              Sunpak PZ42X TTL Shoe Mount Flash
                                              • 1-Year Warranty
                                               
                                               
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