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Hersmay CY-20 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Camera FlashesHersmay CY-20

Hersmay CY-20 — image 1

Hersmay

Hersmay CY-20

Expert Review Analysis

The Hersmay CY‑20 is a ultra‑compact, universal manual flash unit with a 20 m guide number, 0‑90° tilt head and three trigger options. It runs on 2 AA batteries, delivers a fixed full‑power burst and is aimed at hobbyists needing inexpensive off‑camera fill light or light‑painting capability.

✓ Best for: Beginners and hobbyists who want a lightweight, inexpensive flash for light‑painting, off‑camera fill on small DSLR/mirrorless bodies, or as a bounce solution on cameras lacking tilt heads.✗ Not ideal for: Professional photographers or serious enthusiasts needing fast recycle, variable power output, TTL control, or consistent, precise illumination for studio or event work.

Pros

✓Extremely compact and lightweight design (65x60x98 mm, 120 g) makes it easy to carry and fit in small camera bags.
✓Universal hot shoe compatibility works with Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and other DSLR/mirrorless cameras.
✓High guide number of 20 m (ISO 100) provides a significant boost over built‑in camera flashes.

Price History

Current

$18.59

Average

$18.54

Lowest

$17.99

Highest

$18.59

Price trend (90d):0.0%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#316Best#92Worst#316 -90

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating3.8/ 5Reviews146+63 reviews

Specifications

Controls

Trigger ModesManual, Hot Shoe, PC-sync (2.5 mm)

Design

Height98 mm mm

Width60 mm mm

Length65 mm mm

Build MaterialPlastic

Switch TypeOn/Off

General

BrandHersmay

ModelCY-20

CompatibilityUniversal hot shoe (Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, Pentax, etc.)

Weight100 g g

Lighting

Guide Number20 m (ISO 100) m

Color Temperature5600 K K

Illuminating AngleHorizontal 60°, Vertical 40°

Flash Duration1 ms

Tilt Range0-90°

Performance

Recycle Time7 s s

Power

Battery Type2x AA (alkaline or NiMH)

Capacitor250 µF @ 330 V

Control

MicrocontrollerNo microcontroller; charging circuit is simple

Safety

Auto Cut‑offNo automatic cut‑off feature

Dimensions & Weight

Height3.85826 Inches

Width2.3622 Inches

Depth2.55905 Inches

Weight0.220462262 pounds

Research Sources

lightpainting-addict.com

pentaxforums.com

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User Reviews

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3.8

(146 reviews)

$18.59

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[CY-20...]White

✓Adjustable tilt head from 0° to 90° enables bounce lighting and flexible positioning for off‑camera use.

✓Multiple trigger options (manual button, hot shoe, PC‑sync 2.5 mm) allow versatile operation and slave setups.

✓Can fire partially during recharge, giving faster cycling for lower‑power needs despite full‑power only design.

✓Affordable price point makes it attractive for hobbyists and beginners needing extra fill light.

Cons

✗No power adjustment; the flash always fires at full output, which can cause overexposure or uneven lighting.
✗Long recycle time of around 7 seconds with alkaline batteries limits rapid shooting and can be disruptive.
✗Audible charging whine from the inefficient transformer is noticeable and may be distracting in quiet environments.
✗Battery life is short when using full power continuously, and the unit does not include any AA batteries.
✗Partial fires during recharge produce unpredictable output levels, making consistent exposure difficult.
✗Plastic construction feels basic and lacks advanced features such as TTL, zoom head, or auto cut‑off.

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Compact and lightweight construction makes it ideal for travel and on‑the‑go shooting.
✓Guide number of 20 m offers a noticeable power increase over most built‑in flashes.
✓90° tilt head provides bounce capability that many small‑camera flashes lack.
✓Multiple trigger modes (manual, hot shoe, PC‑sync) give flexibility for off‑camera setups.

Criticized by Experts

✗Absence of any power control forces full‑power output, limiting creative exposure control.
✗Recycle time of 7 seconds is considered slow compared to modern speedlights.
✗Audible whine from the transformer is described as a deal‑breaker for precision work.
✗Partial fires during recharge yield inconsistent illumination, reducing reliability.
✗Lack of TTL, zoom head and microcontroller means it cannot compete with feature‑rich alternatives.

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Users love the low price and pocket‑size form factor, calling it a cheap way to add extra light.
✓Very easy to operate – on/off switch and button trigger are described as "child's play".
✓Effective for light‑painting, film photography and as a supplemental fill flash on small cameras.
✓Provides a useful bounce option for cameras that have no built‑in tilting flash.

Users Complain About

✗Many users report a slow 5‑7 second recharge that hampers burst shooting.
✗Full‑power only output often leads to overexposure or rapid battery drain in real‑world use.
✗Evenness of illumination is inconsistent, with reports of "half lit, half dark" results.
✗Batteries are not included and drain quickly, forcing frequent replacements or recharging.

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers commend the CY‑20 for its simplicity, portability and surprisingly high guide number, noting it shines in niche scenarios like light‑painting or as a cheap bounce flash for tiny cameras. However, they criticize its lack of power control, long recycle time, audible transformer whine and inconsistent output during partial fires, positioning it as a budget tool rather than a precision studio light.

What Users Say

Everyday users appreciate the flash’s affordability, tiny size and straightforward operation, especially for creative projects like long‑exposure light painting. Common complaints revolve around the sluggish recycle, the inability to dial down power, uneven lighting and the need to supply their own AA batteries, which together limit its usefulness for fast‑paced or professional work.

Common Complaints

Slow 5‑7 second recycle, full‑power‑only output causing overexposure, audible charging whine, unpredictable partial fires, and rapid battery drain without included cells.

How It Compares

vs. Godox TT350

Advantages

✓CY‑20 is significantly lighter (120 g vs 200 g) and cheaper, making it easier to carry for travel.

Disadvantages

✗TT350 offers TTL, faster 1.5‑2 s recycle and power control, which the CY‑20 completely lacks.

Choose the CY‑20 for ultra‑budget, ultra‑portable needs; choose the TT350 for feature‑rich, faster shooting.

vs. Yongnuo YN560‑IV

Advantages

✓CY‑20’s 0‑90° tilt is simpler and its size (120 g) is far more pocketable than the YN560‑IV’s 350 g.

Disadvantages

✗YN560‑IV provides a much higher guide number (58 m) and full manual power steps, which the CY‑20 does not have.

Select the CY‑20 when size and cost dominate; opt for the YN560‑IV when you need higher power and manual control.

vs. Disposable Camera Flash

Advantages

✓CY‑20’s guide number of 20 m far exceeds the ~10 m of disposable flashes, delivering brighter illumination.

Disadvantages

✗Disposable flashes are lighter and require no batteries, whereas the CY‑20 needs AA cells and has a longer recycle.

Use the CY‑20 for reusable, brighter lighting; use disposables only for one‑off, ultra‑light situations.