Sony HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series
This surprisingly compact Sony HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash is meant to be a trusty standby for novice photographers who have found the output on their pop-up flashes lacking. The HVL-F20AM essentially doubles the output of most pop-up flashes while not adding any great bulk or hindrance to a camera's operation. The flash has a hinge that allows it to compress downwards on the camera, eliminating the need to fumble with mounting and unmounting a hotshoe flash as it is needed.
Simplicity is further established by the elimination of complex displays and button interfaces. The HVL-F20AM operates with a tug and a twist. Raise the flash from its compressed position to activate it; a simple switch on the side changes the flash from its indoor mode to an outdoor one. Take a picture, then pop the flash back down when finished - it is that easy.
- Unique design eliminates the need for an on/off button. Flash is activated by raising the head into shooting position. When not in use, the 1" (24mm) thick flash can sit unobtrusively in the camera's hotshoe.
- Two power settings: one suited for indoors, the other outside. When in the inside mode, the flash covers a 27mm angle of view. When set to tele, the flash moves to a 50mm angle of view.
- ADI flash metering and automatic white balance compensation with lenses that incorporate a distance encoder.
- TTL flash operates with select Sony cameras which provide control over auto-zoom, high-speed sync (HSS), power level switching, wireless flash, bounce flash, modelling flash, and multi-burst functions.
| Type | Hotshoe Mount |
| Guide No. | 65' (20 m) at 50mm position |
| Angle of Coverage | 50mm (27mm with wide panel attachment) |
| Auto Distance Range | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Auto f/Stops | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Variable Power | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| TTL Dedication | Yes (with select Sony cameras) |
| Bounce Head | Yes |
| Swivel Head | No |
| Zoom Head | No |
| Off Camera Terminal | None |
| Recycle Time | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Power Source | 2x AAA Batteries |
| Dimensions | 3.75 x 2.5 x 1" (94 x 62 x 24mm) |
| Weight | 3.2 oz (90g) without batteries |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 21 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
90%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (13)
- Lightweight (13)
- Consistent output (6)
- Durable (6)
- Versatile (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- General purpose (12)
- Fill flash (8)
- Portraits (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (11), Casual photographer (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (13)
Most Liked Positive Review
The little trigger ...
The smallest SONY DSLR hotshoe flash is the HVL-F20AM.It offers itself in a convenient pocket-size and provides a reasonable "quick flash", but also a trigger flash for the larger HVL...Read complete review
The smallest SONY DSLR hotshoe flash is the HVL-F20AM.It offers itself in a convenient pocket-size and provides a reasonable "quick flash", but also a trigger flash for the larger HVLs ('58 & '42) for "wireless operation. While the APS-C sensor cameras benefit from the "built-in" flash, the Full Frames (α850 & α900) do not, so this is effectively it.The F20AM flash offers some flexibility with a "DIRECT/BOUNCE" switch on the left-side and a "TELE" rotating lens on the flash head. The "On/OFF" switch is directly connected to the hot shoe mount and it comes on when you raise the flash to operating position.Personally, after operating the α850 w/o any flash for a few weeks, this is a convenient, emergency-type unit, if you do not have the "big boy" with you. Don't expect miracles, but simply a small light source for indoor operation and fill-flash support. Outdoors, all bets are off.You are warned NOT to pack it mounted on the camera, due to torque considerations on the hot shoe. If you carry it, I would recommend putting it in your pocket or attached to your camera neck strap. Since I will be using the hot shoe more, with this small flash, I have "borrowed" my α700's "hot shoe cap keeper", since the α850 did not come with one in the neck strap kit. It is almost more important with this camera than the α700, because the α700 has the built-in flash already and removal of the 'hot shoe cap' normally only happens when you are attaching the larger flash, so I guess I am more than a little confused as to why they eliminated it ... because you probably will be constantly removing the 'hot shoe cap' on the α850/α900.It also uses "AAA" batteries ... so, yeah ... another size of rechargeables to have handy. A pop-up flash is rather minor in the consideration of a Full Frame sensor, in my opinion. I contend that missing out on the "extra" width from my wide lenses is the primary reason that will not fly.I have three flashes which handle the lighting duty for most of my electronic flash work. The HVL-F20AM Compact Flash is a convenience and certainly not a necessity. The Field of View on the A850, on the other hand ... amazing.Also, the HVL-F20AM sits higher than the built-in flash, when in the upright, operating position ... often clearing the lens shield where the built-in cannot.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Don't expect too much
There is not a remarkable difference from the built-in for typical indoor candids.
There is not a remarkable difference from the built-in for typical indoor candids.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 21 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attach Securely
- Bounce reflector
- Very Compact
- Wireless trigger
Cons
- No ratio control
- Only one wireless channel
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Wireless trigger
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
A fine little fill flash which, thanks to its bounce setting, is also very practical on cameras with a built-in flash, like the upcoming NEX-7.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attach Securely
- Durable
- Good Color Value
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Indoors & out
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
This is easy to use and a great improvement to the built in flash for my Sony A390 .... an excellent purchase option to bounce light creates nice indoor pictures without harsh shadows.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
- Weak Output
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
[...]Batteries was included and were placed in the flash from Sony (I believe). It looked like they had been there for a while because one of the batteries was leaking. New batteries where placed in the flash but it would not work. I tried to clean it and the result is that it is possible to turn it on and the "CHG" lamp is lighting, but when I press the release button on the camera (a900) the lamps become black and with no flash. That's the situation now. Not a picture with the flash so far.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
PERFECT FOR THE SONY A55
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I bought this flash to control my HVL-F58AM in wireless mode for macro and portrait shots.
The whole setup is very easy and works well.
From my very first tests I would say that the this flash generated a little too much light in some of the cases and I had to cover the flash or diffuse the light more to get the effect I wanted.
The flash does what wanted it to do and it does this without too much weight.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
This is a great little flash. It does a good job on fill with outside shots. It is small and easy to put in your pocket or camera bag. It uses the old and new Sony Flash protocols at the same time and remotely triggers the 58, 42 56, Sony flashes. It has pretty good distance coverage, better than I had hoped for. There are only 2 flashes that will fire mounted on the A850. The HVL-F20AM or the HVL-58.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Indoors
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Night Photography
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
What a wonderful
difference this flash
has made versus the one
that is built-in to my
Sony a390. Subjects are
beautifully lit from
above and the color looks
much more natural. Easy to
put on and keep on, even
when not in use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Good small flash for people,pets,and for fill
light with a larger strobe.
Used successfully with 70-300 Sigma,on birds in
the backyard,to "highlight"
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
ALL THE TIME..
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
one of the best companies I've Delta with
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Fast Recycling
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Portraits
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Nicely designed, easy to use, does what it says, works well. I use Eneloop AAA's in it, and find it peppy. The "telephoto/regular" and the "direct/bounce" switches are useful. Mostly I use this as a trigger for an off-camera F56AM (Sony flash). For that it is excellent. Also useful as a daylight and indoor fill. Sweet addition to my kit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
It's really good product . It is worth for the money.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
- Powerful Output
- Versatile
Cons
- Requires Batteries
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
I use this with my Sony DSLR Camera. It is nice and small and can simply be flipped down when not being used. Unfortunately, you need to keep extra AAA batteries on hand when you want to keep the flash firing quickly. The flash doesn't swivel for vertical shots.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy To Use
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Small and compact great for fill in lighting and travel
Pros
- Compact
- Easy To Use
- Lightweight
Cons
- No HSS function
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- Wireless flash control
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
Negative points:
It does not support HSS (unlike built-in flashes)
It only works wirelessly in channel 1 (of 4)
Positive points:
Everything else about it.
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
There is not a remarkable difference from the built-in for typical indoor candids.
Pros
- Higher pop-up flash angle
- Smaller than other HVLs
Cons
- Requires "AAA" batteries
Best Uses
- Trigger remote flash
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
The smallest SONY DSLR hotshoe flash is the HVL-F20AM.It offers itself in a convenient pocket-size and provides a reasonable "quick flash", but also a trigger flash for the larger HVLs ('58 & '42) for "wireless operation. While the APS-C sensor cameras benefit from the "built-in" flash, the Full Frames (α850 & α900) do not, so this is effectively it.The F20AM flash offers some flexibility with a "DIRECT/BOUNCE" switch on the left-side and a "TELE" rotating lens on the flash head. The "On/OFF" switch is directly connected to the hot shoe mount and it comes on when you raise the flash to operating position.Personally, after operating the α850 w/o any flash for a few weeks, this is a convenient, emergency-type unit, if you do not have the "big boy" with you. Don't expect miracles, but simply a small light source for indoor operation and fill-flash support. Outdoors, all bets are off.You are warned NOT to pack it mounted on the camera, due to torque considerations on the hot shoe. If you carry it, I would recommend putting it in your pocket or attached to your camera neck strap. Since I will be using the hot shoe more, with this small flash, I have "borrowed" my α700's "hot shoe cap keeper", since the α850 did not come with one in the neck strap kit. It is almost more important with this camera than the α700, because the α700 has the built-in flash already and removal of the 'hot shoe cap' normally only happens when you are attaching the larger flash, so I guess I am more than a little confused as to why they eliminated it ... because you probably will be constantly removing the 'hot shoe cap' on the α850/α900.It also uses "AAA" batteries ... so, yeah ... another size of rechargeables to have handy. A pop-up flash is rather minor in the consideration of a Full Frame sensor, in my opinion. I contend that missing out on the "extra" width from my wide lenses is the primary reason that will not fly.I have three flashes which handle the lighting duty for most of my electronic flash work. The HVL-F20AM Compact Flash is a convenience and certainly not a necessity. The Field of View on the A850, on the other hand ... amazing.Also, the HVL-F20AM sits higher than the built-in flash, when in the upright, operating position ... often clearing the lens shield where the built-in cannot.
Pros
Cons
- Pricey - but it's SONY
Best Uses
- Indoor even for Macro
Comments about HVL-F20AM Digital Camera Flash for Sony Alpha Series:
This little flash is perfect to leave on your camera fulltime - lays flat and out of the way of snags - as powerful as a full sized flash. perfect for indoor parties - both close-up and up to 20 feet away. I use it more that my HVL-F56AM. Uses easy to carry AAA batteries
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $2.49
-
- Original: $8.50
- Save: $0.85
- Price: $7.65
Sync Cords & Flash Remotes
- Price: $47.70
-
- Original: $32.95
- Save: $3.29
- Price: $29.66
Flash Accessories
-
- Original: $24.95
- Save: $2.49
- Price: $22.46
What's in the Box
- Carry Pouch
- Sony U.S.A. Limited Warranty
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