Meike FC-100
Score: 55/100
Godox iM30
Score: 68/100Rankings
The Godox iM30 is an ultra-compact, pocket-sized manual flash offering GN 15 and seven power levels with optical wireless S1/S2. Its fixed head and lack of TTL limit creative control and convenience. Best suited for travel and street photographers who prioritize size over power.
The Meike FC-100 is a manual LED macro ring flash that offers versatile continuous and flash lighting with a lightweight design and affordable price. Its low 15 GN output and lack of TTL automation limit its usefulness for demanding macro work. Best suited for beginners and video shooters needing basic close-up illumination.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
15 mbest | 15 mbest | |
| ↓ lower better | — | 3.6 secondsbest |
| ↓ lower better | 230 g | 78 gbest |
7best | 7best | |
5,500 K | 6,500 Kbest | |
4best | 1 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
General(1) | ||
Compatible Mount Types | Universal hot shoe | Hot shoe |
Features(1) | ||
Number of Flash Modes | 4 | 1 |
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Battery Type | AA | AAA |
Design(2) | ||
Weight (with batteries) (g) | 230 g | 78 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 80 x 60 x 120 mm mm | 75.96x71.5x205.99 mm mm |
Lighting(1) | ||
Color Temperature (K) | 5500 K | 6500 K |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the FC-100 for its low price, portability, and versatile lighting modes, especially the flash capability that sets it apart from pure continuous rings. However, they consistently note that its 15 GN output is too weak for true 1:1 macro work and that the manual-only operation can be challenging for users expecting automatic exposure.
Everyday users praise the ring's affordability, easy adapter system, and usefulness for video or basic close-up photography, but they frequently complain about insufficient power for high-magnification subjects, manual exposure difficulties, and limited effective range.
Professional editors praise the iM30 for its unprecedented compactness, solid build, and surprisingly bright output (GN 15) that handles most direct-flash scenarios. They also value its retro styling and the inclusion of optical wireless S1/S2 modes, which bring remote capability to a pocket-size unit. The main criticisms focus on the fixed head and limited power, which constrain creative lighting and performance in bright conditions.
Everyday photographers love how the iM30 slips into pockets and adds just enough light for street, travel and small-studio work. Reviewers repeatedly mention its excellent price-to-performance ratio and practical brightness, while no major complaints appear in the available user data beyond the expected limitation of a non-tilting head.
“decent, cheap for portable setups”
