Camcorder video light is a great addition to one of the best camcorders by enabling precise exposure control and preserving intricate details within shadows and highlights. Beyond mere illumination, they offer creative possibilities, allowing users to manipulate colors to convey distinct emotions or replicate various atmospheric effects, such as a flickering television or the flashing blue light of an emergency vehicle. In essence, lights serve as narrative tools, enhancing storytelling capabilities. In this article, we will recommend 4 COLBOR video lights for your camcorder recording, talking about their features, specs, pros and cons. Read on to find the one that best suits your video recording.
COLBOR PL5: Best on-camera light for video under $50
The COLBOR PL5 is a versatile and portable LED light designed for videography and photography. It’s ultra-compact, measuring just 110x65x15mm and weighing 110g, making it easy to carry. With a color temperature range of 2700K to 6500K and adjustable brightness, it provides flexible lighting options. The PL5 features a magnetic back for easy attachment, extension wings for stable phone mounting, and a cold shoe for additional accessories. Its high color rendering index (CRI) of 95+ ensures accurate color representation. Ideal for various applications, it’s a powerful tool for content creators
Specs
- Color temperature: 2700K-6500K (±100K)
- CRI: Ra≥95
- Illumination: 1500Lux (at 30cm 6500K)
- Dimension: 110x65x15mm
- Weight: 110g
Reason to buy
- Simple to use
- Really compact
- Suitable for both phone and camcorder video shooting
Reason to avoid
- Not powerful enough to work as key light
COLBOR PL8R: Camcorder LED video light under $100
The COLBOR PL8R proves to be a versatile tool, serving as a valuable camcorder video light during outdoor shoots. Beyond its role as an LED panel, it doubles as a power bank, offering added convenience by allowing simultaneous lighting and smartphone charging. While it may not entirely replace a dedicated power bank due to its limited capacity, this feature remains incredibly useful. Moreover, even without utilizing this dual functionality, its 5000mAh battery provides an impressive runtime of about 125 minutes. It delivers a full-color range, with a range of lighting effects, all available via a simple wheel control and an intuitive OLED screen. It is a good choice for camcorder lighting for music video to create various moods with its full-color options.
Specs
- Color temperature: 2700K-6500K (±100K)
- CRI: Ra≥95
- Illumination: 1500Lux (at 30cm 6500K)
- Dimension: 110x65x15mm
- Weight: 110g
Reason to buy
- Simple to use
- Really compact
- RGB colors available
- Suitable for both phone and camcorder video shooting
Reason to avoid
Not powerful enough to work as key light
COLBOR W100: 100W camera LED light panel under $200
The W100 stands out as an excellent choice for content creators who are frequently on the move. Its remarkably compact and portable design allows for easy setup in virtually any location, especially when paired with the COLBOR PG99 power grip (*sold separately). With its 100W output, it delivers ample brightness for a variety of scenarios, from close-up filming such as talking to the camera to studio shoots. Noteworthy features such as PD USB-C compatibility and a dedicated power supply enhance its versatility. The W100 body has an NFC area, making it simple to pair the light with the COLBOR Studio App to ensure precise lighting control.
Specs
- Color temperature: 2700K-6500K (±150K)
- CRI: 97
- Illumination: 13,500Lux (at 0.5m 5600K, no reflector); 28,700Lux (at 0.5m 5600K, with reflector)
- Dimension: 157x43x93mm
- Weight: 345g
Reason to buy
- Powerful light
- Very portable
- Simple to use
- Wide range accessory ecosystem
Reason to avoid
- No RGB colors
COLBOR CL220: Professional camcorder video light under $300
Featuring a variable color output ranging from 2700 to 6500K, the COLBOR CL220 proves to be an ideal solution for various lighting scenarios, whether indoors, outdoors, or a blend of both. Its versatility makes it equally suitable for on-location shoots and dimly lit studios. Capable of serving as a key light, it offers seamless brightness adjustment, ensuring precise control over illumination levels. Incorporating the latest COB light technology, this fixture delivers accurate colors and well-illuminated subjects with ease of use. The robust CL220 provides a potent light source for interviews and various content creation while offering a range of special lighting effects to enrich dramatic productions. Its low operating noise ensures minimal interference with sound recording during shoots.
Specs
- Color temperature: 2700K-6500K (±150K)
- CRI: 97
- Illumination: 13,500Lux (at 0.5m 5600K, no reflector); 28,700Lux (at 0.5m 5600K, with reflector)
- Dimension: 157x43x93mm
- Weight: 345g
Reason to buy
- 220W output
- Quiet cooling fans
- Preset light effects
- Compatible with wide range of modifiers and accessories
Reason to avoid
- Hard to find a battery pack that supports full output
FAQs
Why do I need a camcorder video light?
Camcorder video lights are required for capturing high-quality videos in low-light environments. They improve visual clarity, decrease noise, and give improved color rendition in low-light conditions.
What are the types?
Video camcorder light should be continuous light since you need constantly on and consistent lighting to ensure the subject is visible on the video. It can be divided into two types based on its attachment way to the camcorder.
On-Camera Video Lights:
These lights are mounted on the camera or camcorder, either on the hot shoe or accessory attachment.
They offer portable and convenient lighting for run-and-gun shooting situations. On-camera lights are often tiny and lightweight, making them easy to transport and handle. They frequently have adjustable brightness and color temperature settings to accommodate varying lighting situations and creative preferences. However, they may generate harsh lighting and shadows, particularly when utilized alone, resulting in less pleasing effects than off-camera lighting setups.
Off-Camera Video Lights:
Off-camera lights are placed separately from the camera, providing more control and flexibility for video lighting. These lights can be used on light stands, mounted on ceilings or walls, or handled by a specialized operator. Off-camera lighting setups usually include many lights carefully positioned to provide the required lighting effects, such as key, fill, and rim lights.
They give softer and more attractive illumination since the light can be diffused and adjusted with various accessories such as softboxes, umbrellas, and diffusers. They need more time and work to arrange than on-camera lights, but they produce better lighting quality and adaptability.
How to choose the best LED video light for camera or digital video camcorder?
Given the wide range of camcorder video lights available, it's essential to consider two key factors when setting up your video studio: your specific lighting needs and your budget. By carefully assessing these aspects, you can make informed decisions that align with your goals.
When answering those questions, especially about the price, keep in mind that you'll need two lights. The first, your key light, will be your major light source, while the secondary fill light will assist fill in shadows and provide even lighting over your face.
The proper equipment enables you to adjust the intensity of both the key and fill lights, allowing for greater versatility in creating various moods and effects. For added impact, consider incorporating a third light, such as a hair light, to accentuate finer details and further enhance your look.
It is also advised to consider factors such as brightness output, color accuracy, battery life, portability, and compatibility with your camcorder or camera. Additionally, think about your shooting needs and whether you require a compact on-camera light or a more elaborate off-camera lighting setup.