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Best Flash for Canon 70D [2023 Review]

In: 
Published: 13/03/2023

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With its Guide Number at only 3.66 feet, the built-in flash for the Canon 70D limits your ability to take well-lit photographs. Getting an external flash that offers more features such as tilting and TTL enables you to fully exploit the 70D’s capabilities. In this review, we’ll help you identify the best flash for Canon 70D that can help you make the most out of this camera.

My Top Flash for Canon 70D Reviews

An excellent flash for your Canon 70D offers you several benefits including, better illumination, and ease of use. Here is a look into the pros and shortcomings of the best flashes for your Canon 70D.

 
Brand:
Yongnuo YN24EX
 
Brand:
Altura Photo AP-305C
 
Brand:
Neewer TT560
Item Weight:
2.27 pounds
Item Weight:
12 ounces
Item Weight:
1.41 pounds
Camera Flash:
Macro
Camera Flash:
Slave
Camera Flash:
Studio
4.1
4.4
4.3
Brand:
Yongnuo YN24EX
Item Weight:
2.27 pounds
Camera Flash:
Macro
4.1
Brand:
Altura Photo AP-305C
Item Weight:
12 ounces
Camera Flash:
Slave
4.4
Brand:
Neewer TT560
Item Weight:
1.41 pounds
Camera Flash:
Studio
4.3

Yongnuo YN24EX

As expected at this price point, the Yongnuo YN24EX comes with durable construction. The battery compartment is solid and appears sturdier than what is on the Godox TT600.

YONGNUO YN24EX E-TTL

Given it is a ring flash, the unit is excellent for close-up, and macro photography, something the other selections reviewed may not be so good at.

Although it is not the most flexible flash, it adjusts through 90 degrees vertically and a similar range horizontally to enable you to bounce the light.

One of my biggest dislikes with the YONGNUO YN24EX is that it takes a bit longer to attach it than the other flashes on review. It also has a two-by-two battery compartment which tends to overheat faster than the linear, organized ones.

The unit features the lowest guide number amongst my options. It can only expose subjects as far as 7.32 feet at the maximum performance, fewer than the Godox TT600.

Although this may be inadequate for open-space shoots at night, the flash is suitable for lighting almost all indoor spaces.

YONGNUO YN24EX E-TTL
4.1
Pros:
  • Includes a ring unlike the other selections for close-ups and macro photography
  • Better construction than the Godox TT600
Cons:
  • It takes slightly longer to install than my other picks
  • The lowest guide number on the list
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I review all of the best Yongnuo flashes for Canon's in my detailed guide.

Altura Photo AP-305C

If you desire affordable and effortless off-camera photography, the Altura Photo AP-305C might be your ideal flash.

Altura Photo AP-305C

Thanks to the TTL settings, the flash can automatically calculate the most probable lighting intensity during busy sessions. The unit also provides you with High-Speed Sync (HSS) allowing you to use faster shutter speeds.

Its extensive Guide Number is another reason I liked this flash. Unlike my best flash for Canon 70D at 7.32 feet, this unit can illuminate objects up to 10.98 feet at ISO 100. It may be more suitable for capturing photos in instances with restricted movement.

With this flash, you get a more advanced tilting range than the YONGNUO YN24EX. Vertical adjustability is through -7 to 90 degrees while sideways tilting peaks at 270-degrees for added positioning capacity.

Unlike other options on my list, it comes with a trigger. You can appropriately position your flash off-camera to get the most suitable lighting conditions for your shoots. While the trigger is an excellent addition, you will have to sacrifice TTL and HSS if you plan to use it.

Altura Photo AP-305C
4.4
Pros:
  • Wireless transmitter for off-camera use
  • TTL-compatible to automate light intensity
  • HSS for quick photo capturing
Cons:
  • No TTL or HSS support when using the transmitter
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Neewer TT560

At only 9.45 ounces, the Neewer TT560 is my second lightest flash after the Altura Photo AP-305C at 7.0 ounces. It hardly makes a noticeable difference once combined with your Canon 70D, making it excellent for extended shoots.

Neewer TT560 Flash Speedlite

Though not as excellent as other options in my review, its performance makes it a solid, affordable flash for Canon 70D.

Another of its strong points is the higher GN value compared to our first two options. Able to illuminate objects 11.58 feet away at ISO 100, this powerful unit is better suited for taking pictures of subjects who are further from the camera at full power.

Its horizontal tilting range is similar to the Altura Photo AP-305C at 270 degrees. Although its vertical range is slightly lesser at 0-90 degrees, it still offers more adjustability overall than the YONGNUO YN24EX.

The recycle speed is similar to YONGNUO YN24EX at five seconds at its most robust operation. It isn’t the fastest level around but works fine for landscape and real estate photography.

Neewer TT560 Flash Speedlite
4.3
Pros:
  • Most affordable option on the review
  • Higher GN than my top two picks
Cons:
  • No TTL support unlike the first two flashes
  • Slower recycle times than the Godox TT600
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Godox TT600

The Godox TT600 is suited for you if you want a flash for fast-action photography. Taking only 2.6 seconds to recycle at maximum power, this flash has the fastest recharge rate on my list.

Godox TT600

One of its most outstanding attributes, however, is the extended illumination distance. Its GN at 18.29 feet at ISO 100 offers the most extensive range on my list. In instances with limited maneuverability around the subject, this range allows you to illuminate the subject at full power when standing afar.

The unit further boasts of the most extensive adjustability on my list. It can rotate in all directions horizontally, whereas vertical rotation is like the Altura Photo AP-305C. Given its extended flexibility, you have more range to select suitable positioning.

Compatible with a trigger sold separately, the flash supports off-camera usage to give you more room to determine where lighting is best.

HSS-compatibility gives you an added feature crucial for using fast shutter speeds. The main issue is the absence of HSS itself when using the hot shoe.

Godox TT600
4.5
Pros:
  • Supports HSS absent in YONGNUO YN560 IV to enable rapid photo taking
  • Shortest recycle times amongst my reviewed flashes
  • Highest GN on the list
Cons:
  • Lacks TTL support unlike my first two flashes
  • Weaker battery compartment than the YONGNUO YN24EX
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Yongnuo YN560 IV

While almost resembling the third version, the Yongnuo YN560 IV comes with a few modifications, with the most important being YN560-TX support.

Yongnuo YN560 IV

If you seek a flash for Canon 70D capable of extensive illumination, the YONGNUO YN560 IV is another top option for consideration. It has a GN of 17.68 feet at ISO 100, making it my second best flash for Canon 70D in terms of illumination distance.

The YONGNUO YN560 IV proves to have many seconds, with its recycling time being three seconds at full power. It is an excellent option for a quick shooting despite lacking TLL and its accompanying attributes like HSS.

The YONGNUO YN560 IV comes with an impressive build. It, however, is the second heaviest flash in my review after the YONGNUO YN24EX and may lead to faster hand fatigue than lighter options.

It does not support TTL function, although the LCD is effortlessly legible, and it has an easy-to-use interface. Given TTL has little importance in still photography, the unit is an excellent choice for listing photos and capturing landscapes.

Yongnuo YN560 IV
4.4
Pros:
  • The user interface is simple to set up and utilize
  • Has an extensive manual control compared to Nikon SB-600
Cons:
  • Unlike SB 700, it lacks TTL for automatic mode
  • The radio trigger has the potential to overheat and hence limiting the time to shoot
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Features to Consider in the Best Flash for Canon 70D

As a real estate photographer, you might be unable to take bright interior photos due to the low performance of the Canon 70D APS-C sensor in poor lighting. Although this camera comes with a built-in flash that you can use to illuminate subjects, it might create hard shadows. 

Fortunately, the following features can help you choose a flexible flash you can use to bounce off the light. The table below provides an outline of the key features to consider when buying the flash. 

Comparing Flashes for Canon 70D

FlashesGuide NumberZoom RangeBattery
Yongnuo YN24EX 85’ at ISO 100 or 79’ at ISO 10052mm, 58mm, 67mm and 72mm4 AA
Altura photo AP-305C 36m/157ft. at ISO 10024-105mm2 AA
Neewer TT560 125' at ISO 10024-200mmCR2025
Godox TT600 190’ at ISO 100 and 200mm24-200mm4 AA
Yongnuo YN560 IV 190’ at ISO 100 and 105mm24-105mm4 AA

Guide Number

The guide number in a camera flash is generally a measure of how far the flash can sufficiently illuminate under a certain aperture and ISO settings. In cameras, the aperture is the opening that controls how much light will reach the camera sensor, and ISO is the sensitivity of the sensor to light. 

Since these two settings affect how bright the photos can be, the guide number of the flash is subject to their variations. For uniformity, the guide number is indicated at a certain ISO, usually the base ISO. This makes the guide number equation to be: GN= distance (meters) x aperture (f-number). 

Generally, a flash with a higher guide number, such as the Neewer TT560, means it can illuminate subjects further away compared to its counterparts. Usually, a flash with a higher guide number is preferable as it gives you more flexibility on the subject distances you can shoot from. 

Size and Weight

Like any other camera equipment, flashes come in varying construction qualities and specifications that affect their overall size and weight. If you are moving from one property to another, taking interior photos, you will need a compact and lightweight flash that won't exhaust you.  

In most cases, a compact and lightweight flash can become a part of your photography arsenal, and you might carry it every time, even when you think you might not need it. It's also an advantage if you opt to use it as a normal flash by mounting it on the camera. 

If portability is a major consideration, go for a lightweight flash such as the Altura Photo AP-305C. 

TTL

TTL is an abbreviation of Through The Lens, which is a measure of how much light is passing through the camera lens. This technique helps to eliminate the hassle of setting the camera power manually. Generally, there are higher chances of overexposing or underexposing the scene when using the manual mode. 

With TTL, the camera flash makes an initial flash that generally gathers information pertaining to light and subject distance. The flash is then able to determine how much power it needs to illuminate that subject at that distance and ambient light. 

A flash with TTL support, such as the Yongnuo YN24EX, fires a preflash shortly before the camera shutter and then fires the actual flash with the right power when the camera shutter opens to take the actual shot. This allows you to take correctly-exposed photos without manually setting the power of the flash.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is the Best Flash Between Godox, Neewer, and Yongnuo?

Godox flash is superior to both Neewer and Yongnuo flash as it comes with full compatibility with most camera models, which makes it easier to create intricate lighting setups. Additionally, the Godox flash has a lower rotation cycle compared to that of Neewer and Yongnuo.

Are All Yongnuo Flashes Compatible With Canon 70D?

Not all Yongnuo flashes are compatible with Canon 70D, and you need to carefully check the camera and flash specifications before you purchase. This is because a camera’s hot shoe is designed to be compatible with specific flashes.

What Is a Guide Number?

A guide number determines the power of a Speedlight or a built-in flash. You can get the guide number by multiplying the camera-to-subject distance and the aperture of the lens used. In most flashes, this distance is given in feet or meters.

Conclusion

Canon Speedlite flash

Any of these flashes I reviewed, will give you a more powerful flash than what you get with the built-in flash on the Canon 70D. Swapping the substandard performance of the inbuilt flash with one of them ensures better subject illumination. You can also read my review on the best lenses for the Canon 70D.

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