Comparing Godox V860III, Godox V1, Godox V1 Pro, and Godox V100: Which Flash Is Right for You?

When choosing a speedlight, it’s essential to explore all your options thoroughly. This comparison now includes the new Godox V100, alongside the Godox V860III, Godox V1, and Godox V1 Pro. The V100 is Godox’s latest addition to their speedlight lineup, offering enhanced power, faster recycling, and an even more refined round-head design.

Pricing Overview

• Godox V100 – $615.00 AUD
• Godox V1 Pro – $550.00 AUD
• Godox V1 – $385.00 AUD
• Godox V860III – $340.00 AUD

Here’s how these flashes compare:

Output Comparison

Examining the light output, we'll consider brightness and balance. Starting with balance, the Godox V1, V1 Pro, and V100 exhibit smooth and gradual light falloff, without prominent lines or contrasting bright and dark areas. In contrast, the V860III displays the pattern of its fresnel head, with a large bright circle in the middle and sudden, uneven waves of light. While this may not matter when using light modifiers or bouncing off surfaces, it becomes a consideration for direct flash photography without additional modifiers.

Godox’s product page has the V1 Pro listed as having a colour temperature of 3300K, but this could be a typo. Our tests with a Sekonic C800 spectrometer rated the V860III at 5835K, V1 at 5910K, V1 Pro at 5945K and V100 at 5908K.

               

The Round Head Difference

The primary distinction between the Godox V1 series and V100 lies in the round head design. Apart from providing smoother and more balanced light output, the round head enables compatibility with Godox's magnetic accessory kits. The V1, V1 Pro and V100 use the AK-R1 Kit, offering even more versatile light-shaping options.

What’s New with the Godox V100?

The Godox V100 builds upon the V1 and V1 Pro, bringing faster performance and improved thermal protection. It features:

• Increased Battery Life – More than 600 full-power flashes per charge.
• Faster Recycling – A 1.2s recycle time, outperforming the 1.5s on the V1 Pro and V1.
• Brighter and More Refined Modelling Light – Improved for better low-light shooting and focusing.
• Magnetic Accessory Kit (AK-R1) – Expanding creative lighting options with better light-shaping tools.
• USB-C Charging – More convenient charging options, eliminating the need for proprietary chargers.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose the Godox V100 if: 

• You want the latest and fastest Godox round-head flash.
• You need faster recycling and longer battery life.
• You often use direct flash without modifiers.
• You want a brighter modelling light for enhanced previewing.

Go for the V1 Pro if:

• You shoot fast-paced events such as weddings and parties.
• You need reliable overheating protection.
• You require quick TTL/manual switching and external fill light options.
• You want compatibility with the Godox Propac P960 power pack.

Consider the Godox V1 if:

• You want smooth and consistent light output without the Pro version's added cost.
• You need an affordable round-head flash with solid performance.

Opt for the Godox V860III if:

• You use large modifiers or bounce flash off surfaces.
• You prefer a traditional speedlight-style flash.
• You already own standard speedlight accessories.

Final Thoughts:

The Godox V100 is a significant upgrade for photographers who need speed, efficiency, and flexibility. If you’re looking for faster recycle times, longer-lasting power, and enhanced light control, the V100 is the best option. However, if budget is a concern, the V1 Pro and V1 remain solid choices. For those who prefer traditional speedlight setups, the V860III still holds value.

No matter which flash you choose, Godox offers a fantastic range of options tailored to different photography needs and shooting styles.