Customers say
Customers find the camera flash functional and easy to use. However, some report issues with the wireless link dropping and compatibility issues with certain cameras. There are mixed opinions on flash quality and battery life.
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Your Sales Price $399.99 - $299.00
A quick rundown of this product’s key features:
Advanced Amateur flash with a new multi-function shoe connector for enhanced camera communication and functionality
The Speedlite EL-5 borrows some of the best features of the flagship EL-1 flash, such as a lithium-ion rechargable battery and a modeling lamp
Even though the EL-5 does not have a fan it is still has a continuous flash count of approx. 95 or more at full output
Since the EL-5 does not need to use any power for a fan, all of that power can be used exclusively to charge and fire the flash – increaseing the number of continuous flashes to 350
Features the same joystick control and high-definition LCD as the EL-1
Battery Pack LP-EL is charged with the Canon LC-E6 charger (not included)
Utilize the free Canon Connect smartphone app to change settings like flash intensity, flash compensation, sync settings, multi-flash control, and FEB remotely
Our Top Reviews
Reviewer: Preethi
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good Flash but Possible Battery Drain
Review: Update: Canon had a recall (called service advisory or something like that) which fixed the issue. I sent my flash and canon replaced the battery box and now the flash keeps charge as you’d expect. So, get your flash fixed too. Worth it!Excellent flash if the battery retains charge. Bought one but the battery in that flash drained to unusable level in a day. Returned that and reordered. The new one is fine. Even after taking about 50 pics in darkness and leaving the battery in the flash, it still shows 85% after 5 days. So, if you experience battery issues, get a different piece.Will only work with the newest cameras due to the new interface. Also, need a good diffuser, none available now.
Reviewer: Wan Morais
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great product!
Review: Great product!
Reviewer: Luis E. D. Gimenez
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Constantly loses link with wireless transmitter.
Review: A few months back, I purchased an ST-E10 wireless transmitter as an accessory to my Canon EOS R6 mark II to trigger two EX-430 III RTs wirelessly. I was using a third-party trigger before this and constantly losing links with—the flashes. The new trigger did not solve the issue, so I purchased this Canon EL-5 flash to see if it was the old EX430s. Unfortunately, the link drops continue, occurring about two to three minutes after the link is established. Performing a spectrum scan does not solve the issue, and looking for free channels using third-party apps does not help either. Online searches reveal this is a generalized problem with the RT protocol. With no acknowledgment or support from Canon and no solution, this flash cannot be recommended. If you want an on-camera flash, cheap third-party options are available. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this unit, and I will return it soon.
Reviewer: Erin
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Didn’t fire quickly the first use
Review: The flash didn’t fire rapidly even the first time i used it. Every other photo it didn’t fire, although it’s advertised with a quick recycle rate.When it did fire, it was great, but only when I shot very slowly with time in between, which isn’t possible on wedding days.The second use, I fully charged the battery and put it in the flash (turned off). A few days later I tried to turn on the flash, and it didn’t turn on at all. It was as if the battery wasn’t even inside. It was completely dead.Something seems faulty about the entire thing. I returned it!
Reviewer: Reznik
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Lots of progress in this flash
Review: I’ve owed several Canon and generic flashes over the years. The generics had horrible recharge speed and terrible control menus. The Canons had the horrible menus and a steep price. This solves much of that. The new proprietary battery is fantastic…even if I don’t have a backup at the moment and a second will cost me. But what it does have is a great feeling of quality, menu improvement, control and the ability to fire it multiple times very quickly. It’s not a perfect flash as I still think the menu system needs an overhaul but its very nice and I’m happy to take this with me vs. previous versions.
Reviewer: CB10
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Canon EL-5 with Canon R6 II better then Godox on camera flash.
Review: The menu is so user friendly you don’t need to read the manual . Better build, and absolutely stronger then a Godox , also this mount is solid and water proof. and If I need to get support and fix a I can count on Canon repair department . I’m a 50 years veteran photographer I never liked any of the Canon flashes before but this one is a Winner. I can also use Magmod adapter with accessories no problem but it becomes a bit front heavy. I prefer using Wyng bounce device very light. Last the battery is absolutely powerful and recycle time really fastSo far I shot 3 corporate events and the battery was only down one line for for then 500 shots1/8 of power camera was set at 2500 ISO aperture 4.5 Canon lens 24/105 L F 4Hopefully this will help you make a final decision. This is no doubt a great flash very pleased.
Reviewer: John Falkl
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Would be a good flash if the wireless capabilities were stable
Review: First, it’s a good flash with a lot of features when attached to the camera hotshoe . The issue is that it drops the wireless link with the Canon transmitter frequently when used in wireless mode. Seems the wireless tech used in these flashes by Canon is dated and prone to significant interference with modern mesh wireless systems.
Reviewer: Dean Atherton
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Can’t beat the price
Review: If you have one of Canon’s new r cameras it so much cheaper than buying the expensive older flash unitIt only works on the newer r models, and it has rechargeable batteries.
Reviewer: Addier alejandro Medina Avila
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Increíble la cantidad de luz que emite, la calidad de fabricación es impresionante..Funciona bien en versiones de sistema 1.4.0 en adelante de las cámaras R (R8 probada)Ojo no trae cargadorLa batería y funda vienen incluidas
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Só faltou o infra vermelho.
Reviewer: Igor Kitsula
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The Speedlight is awesome, but I found a common issue with fast battery draining both for myself and on the internet. (For instance, a fully charged battery can be completely drained within 24 hours even when the unit is switched off).I tried to resolve the issue by contacting Canon to see if it could be fixed with a firmware update or any other solution. I also attempted using a brand new battery, but encountered the same problem.Ultimately, I decided to return the Speedlight and ordered a new one directly from Canon. They provided a discount to compensate for the inconvenience and the issue. The new Speedlight is holding its charge just fine; for instance, it only dropped from 98% to 90% over the course of 3 days.I would recommend the Speedlight, but I suggest conducting a test upon receipt and promptly replacing it if you receive a defective unit.
Price effective as of Mar 10, 2025 06:42:38 UTC
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