Sony HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash

The Sony HVL-F45RM Wireless Radio Flash is a compact, high-power on-camera flash designed for Sony Alpha cameras, dramatically downsized from earlier Sony speedlights while delivering a powerful guide number of 45 (148 ft. at ISO 100 and 105mm). It’s best suited to use with the a7 series, giving photographers a lightweight, versatile lighting solution for both on- and off-camera flash work.

A built-in 2.4GHz radio transceiver, a first for this flash’s size class, lets it function as either a commander (sending signals) or a receiver (accepting signals) in a wireless multi-flash setup, fully compatible with Sony’s existing radio commanders and receivers. The flash can connect with up to 15 compatible off-camera flash units or receivers across up to 5 groups and 14 channels, with wireless firing and output control at distances up to 98 ft. (30m). Full support for Sony’s ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) and P-TTL metering systems helps accurately balance flash output with ambient light and subject reflectivity by factoring in camera-to-subject distance.

The flash head zooms across a 24-105mm range, extendable to 15mm coverage using a pull-out diffusion panel, and offers full bounce flash capability with a tilt range of -8° to 150° and 360° rotation (180° in either direction). A built-in 5500K LED light, offering 400 lux at 1.6 ft. (0.5m) across 10 power levels, serves as a secondary illumination source useful for video applications. Flash distribution settings include Standard, Center (guide number priority), and Even (wide-angle priority) modes, letting photographers tailor output to their scene, along with manual flash control from 1/1 to full power down to 1/128 in 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps, and flash exposure compensation adjustable from -3 to +3 EV.

Additional flash modes include High-Speed Sync, Second-Curtain Sync, and Slow Sync, with a flash duration as short as 1/600 second at full power and a recycle time as fast as approximately 2.5 seconds, delivering up to roughly 210 full-power bursts per set of batteries. Handling centers on a rear LCD with tab-structured menus and customizable buttons for flash distribution and memory settings, along with a Multi/Micro USB port supporting firmware updates via a connected computer. The flash runs on 4 AA batteries and features dust- and moisture-resistant construction.

Key Features
– Compact on-camera flash, guide number 45 (148 ft. at ISO 100, 105mm)
– Built-in 2.4GHz radio transceiver (commander or receiver mode)
– Wireless multi-flash: up to 15 units, 5 groups, 14 channels, up to 98 ft. range
– Sony ADI/P-TTL metering compatibility
– Zoom head coverage 24-105mm (15mm with pull-out panel)
– Full bounce capability: -8° to 150° tilt, 360° rotation
– Built-in 5500K LED video light (10 power levels)
– Standard, Center, and Even flash distribution modes
– Manual power control 1/1 to 1/128 (1/3 or 1/2 EV steps)
– Flash exposure compensation -3 to +3 EV
– High-Speed Sync, Second-Curtain Sync, and Slow Sync modes
– Flash duration as short as 1/600 sec at full power
– Recycle time as fast as approximately 2.5 sec; up to ~210 full-power bursts
– Tab-structured rear LCD menu with customizable buttons
– Multi/Micro USB port for firmware updates
– Dust- and moisture-resistant construction
– Runs on 4 AA batteries