Photography and videography, at their essence, are about telling stories with light. Whether you’re crafting professional projects or preserving personal memories, lighting quality often determines the impact of the final image. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Zhiyun-Tech CX100 and CM25 lights—compact, portable, and impressively capable tools built to spark creativity. In this review, we’ll explore why these lights stand out as excellent options for photographers, filmmakers, and content creators.
Build Quality and Design: Where Style Meets Practicality
Zhiyun-Tech has earned a reputation for creating gear that’s both visually appealing and highly functional, and the CX100 and CM25 are no exception. From the moment you unbox them, it’s clear these lights are built with care, offering a premium feel that matches their solid performance.
The CX100 impresses with its sleek, durable aluminum alloy construction, offering an ideal mix of strength and portability. At just 710 grams, it’s light enough to take anywhere yet solid enough to inspire confidence in hand. Its slim profile slips effortlessly into a camera bag, making it a reliable companion for creators on the move. While it no longer includes a removable battery like its predecessor, this change is hardly limiting—thanks to its ability to charge or run while in operation, you can keep shooting without interruption.
The CM25, built with portability and ease of use in mind, is primarily intended as a handheld fill light and reflects the same careful design as its larger sibling. Weighing just 232 grams, this 25W LED is remarkably lightweight, making it perfect for quick, on-the-go lighting tweaks. Its compact form doesn’t compromise functionality—both the CX100 and CM25 feature intuitive button and dial placements, enabling quick, precise adjustments so you can stay focused on your shot rather than navigating menus.
Lighting Performance: Compact Yet Powerful
When it comes to output, the CX100 and CM25 punch well above their size class. Despite their small footprint, both lights deliver impressive brightness and excellent color accuracy. The CX100 reaches a peak brightness of 3840 Lux, with multiple adjustable levels to suit different shooting environments, and a broad color temperature range from 2,500K to 6,500K. This makes it equally capable in low-light indoor settings or as a strong outdoor key light, all while maintaining steady, flicker-free illumination. (Avoid looking directly at the LEDs.)
The CM25, meanwhile, is a flexible handheld option ideal for streamers, YouTubers, and remote professionals. Its soft, diffused output minimizes harsh shadows, producing a flattering light for video calls, presentations, and interviews. Like the CX100, it allows for adjustable color temperature, though with a slightly narrower range of 2,700K to 6,200K—perfect for dialing in either a daylight or warm tungsten ambiance.
User-Friendly Design and Long-Lasting Power: Built for Practicality
Zhiyun-Tech has long been recognized for creating products that are simple to operate, and the CX100 and CM25 carry on that legacy. Both models feature an intuitive interface, making it easy to adjust brightness and color temperature with just a few quick presses.
The CX100 houses a built-in 4500mAh rechargeable battery that delivers strong performance for its size. At 60W output, it runs for up to 57 minutes, while full 100W power yields roughly 30 minutes of continuous use. Equipped with a USB-C charging port, it recharges quickly and conveniently, reducing downtime. Plus, it can operate while plugged in—ideal for long shooting sessions.
A key highlight of the CX100 is its DynaVort Cooling System. This advanced setup combines a high-efficiency fan with smart thermal design to keep the light cool without adding unnecessary bulk, ensuring consistent performance in a portable form.
The CM25, by contrast, is powered by two integrated 2000mAh batteries, offering up to three hours of runtime at 5W or about 30 minutes at maximum output. Its plug-and-play capability allows it to draw power from a power bank, laptop, or wall adapter, providing instant light anytime, anywhere. This makes it an excellent choice for live streaming, video calls, and mobile content creation where dependable lighting is a must.
Advantages:
- Cost-Effective: Strong feature set at a competitive price point.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: Lightweight designs make both lights easy to carry.
- Quiet Cooling: Low fan noise ensures clean audio capture.
Drawbacks:
- Battery Duration: Adequate for many uses, but may require charging plans for longer shoots.
- Feature Set: Lack of control screens and app connectivity may limit advanced customization.
In Conclusion
The Zhiyun-Tech CINEPEER CX100 and CM25 are standout lighting solutions for creatives of all kinds. Whether you’re behind the camera as a filmmaker, capturing stills as a photographer, or producing online content, these lights provide an excellent balance of performance, portability, and versatility. Designed to meet the needs of both seasoned professionals and passionate beginners, they offer impressive value without compromising quality.
• CINEPEER CX100: Regularly $179, currently on sale for $143, available via Zhiyun’s official website and authorized dealers.
• CINEPEER CM25: Priced at $69, now discounted to $47, also through Zhiyun’s official website and authorized dealers.
High-quality lighting is essential for producing professional-grade visuals, and the CX100 and CM25 rise to the occasion. With thoughtful engineering, intuitive controls, and an accessible price point, they make an excellent addition to any creative toolkit.
