Zhiyun Molus X100 review: Powerful LED lighting
Looking for some powerful lighting for photography and video in or out of the studio? Then perhaps the new Zhiyun Molus X100 might just be worth checking out.
This tiny, funky 100W pocket COB light certainly packs a punch when it comes to lighting, especially for still life and product shots in the studio. I have not had a chance to record many videos as yet, but I am sure this tiny little light will be more manageable than my big, clunky video light. I also love anything that can be cordless.
Out of the box, it’s pretty simple to use. The battery requires charging (takes about 3 hours), and then you’re ready to go. This light is incredibly powerful. You can set it anywhere from 1% to 100%. For a product shot, under 10% was more than adequate, which will extend the battery life. Let’s have a closer look!
Note: Zhiyun sent the Molus X100 kit to review. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this light are our own.
Pros
Powerful and runs on a battery — no cables
Variable controls for power and color temp (2700K — 6500K)
Minimalist design, cool funky retro/vintage vibe
Small and lightweight, easily fits in your hand
Pocket COB light — a COB light is a panel of LED chips packed together very close
Intelligent cooling with heat sink and fan
The fan is whisper quiet, great for video
Bluetooth connectivity for remote control
Easy to read LCD panel for color temp and illumination ratio
Cons
Came with limited light modifiers, but optional modifiers are available to buy
Battery pack took about 3 hours to charge
The battery on full power apparently lasts about 30 minutes
It did come with a DC power cord, but not for Australia
Zhiyun Molus X100 — Technical specifications
All of the technical specifications are from their website/marketing material.
Output Power: 100W
Cooling Method: Active Cooling
Runtime (with Battery Grip): 30 min (100% dim)
Color Temperature Range: 2700K~6500K
Illuminance In 4500K/100% Brightness (1 meter): 3881 lux
TLCI Index: ≥97
CRI Index: ≥95
Dimming Range: 0~100%
APP Control Method: Bluetooth
Power Adapter Output Voltage/Current: AC100V~240V (50/60HZ)
Power Supply Method: PD adapter, DC or Battery Grip
Dimensions: 144.5x94x36.1 (WxDxH) mm
X100 Net Weight: 385g
X100 Grip Battery: 6x2600mAh
X100 Grip Battery PD Charging Time: 2H33MIN （19.6V/1.4A 28W)
X100 Grip Battery DC Charging Time: 2H24MIN （9.7V/3.1A 30W)
X100 Grip Battery Size: 52.8x94x61 (WxDxH) mm Weight — 439 grams
Operation Temperature: -10°～40°
Extension: 1/4″ Threaded Hole
Max Power: 100w
Color Temp Range: 2700K — 6500K
Light Effects: Music Mode
Battery runtime: 30 min
Max Power modern with light reflector: 17317 lux
Zhiyun Molus X100 — Versatility
You can adjust the light intensity and the color, I like 5600k. But that is really just a personal choice.
Ergonomics are great. There are warnings about it getting hot to the touch. But as I have not been using it at 100% or for long periods (no more than 3 hours) it didn’t really get very hot at all. It does have a fan, which is fairly quiet.
Built for professional exterior lighting for videos, podcasts etc. You can run on DC Power or fast charge via Type-C USB port.
Build quality
Small and sturdy, dials are firm and stable but easily turned. The battery locks in securely and comes off easily.
Out of the box
It comes in a handy carry case with the light, the battery pack a standard reflector and a power cable (not for Australia). I was also sent the attachment for sitting on a light stand.
Zhiyun Molus X100 — Lightweight yet mighty
Thanks to some innovative technology this little light might just change the way you see COB LED lights. Small and compact but very powerful for professional exterior (or interior) lighting. Great for streaming as well as product photography. Versatile and adaptable to whatever you want to use it for. And the best part, simple to use.
Mounting
I simply mounted mine on a light stand with the supplied bracket. You could mount it on a boom arm as well. has a standard tripod thread.
Setup
It’s so simple to use. Charge the battery and you’re set. Place it on a light stand, and press the red power button (you need to hold it in until the LCD lights up). Adjust the dials for power and color temp, will be output on the LCD screen. Add a reflector or softbox and shoot.
Final thoughts
I actually used this in a product photography workshop with students for three hours. They were impressed with how good it was and how easy it is to use as I was. It is a terrific light to add to my studio. I placed a small diffuser in front to soften the light, and it was only running on 4% of power output for the product shots required. That’s pretty impressive. The fact that it is so small and lightweight and runs on batteries is a big plus for me. While it is not particularly cheap, it’s on par with many good quality lights currently available.
