Review: Pixel LED Video Light P18

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As I mentioned before I’m new to photography and video lighting. But I have some experience with lighting in a studio and a basic understanding of lighting night shoots. I’ve been wanting to get some studio lighting for my product photography, macro work, and my night work projects. I had several photographers that I consider mentors suggest that I pick up a few cheap LED Light Panels to learn static lighting with and I could afford to loose if they were damaged or lost. So when an opportunity to test a few LED Light Panel samples became available and keep them in exchange for a non bias review I decided it was time to get started with lighting. Below is my review of the Pixel LED  Video Light P18. I’ve been using the panel since January and love it. Unfortunately, its been discontinued and replaced with a newer version. When I get the chance, I plan on getting one and will review it once I have the time.

Pixel LED Video Light P18 – Features

Please Note:  I have listed the features for the P18 and the replacement, Pixel LED Video Light GS1. They are about the same price and the new one is RGB instead of bicolor. I tossed the packaging/instructions so I can’t give the specs from the original content paperwork but I found some specs on a site that says the P18 panel has been discontinued and I doubt the site will have it listed there much longer.  I love my old one and will end up picking up one of these newer ones in the future. Information copied from a sale add that’s no longer listed and the GS1 features taken from Amazon Sales Page.

For Pixel LED Video Light P18 – Features

• • Model Number: P18
  • Output power: 12W (Bicolour temperature)
  • Charging Time: about 3 hrs
  • Battery Capacity: DC3.85V4040mAh
  • Color Temperature Range: 3200K-5600K(±300K)
  • Dimming: 5-100%
  • Colour Rendering Index: Ra>96
  • LED beads: 180pcs
  • Dimensions: 5.87×3.15×0.45 inches/14.9x8x1.15 centimeters; Weight: 6.87 ounces/195 grams

Pixel LED Video Light GS1 –  Features

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• • 【RGB Full Color Video Light】The camera video light with bi-color 80pcs(warm/cold) lamp beads and 70pcs RGB lamp beads. 0°-360° full color, CRI≥97, TLCI≥96, 1500Lux@0.5m, adjustable brightness 0%-100% and color temperature 2500K-8500K; 4 modes, 12 light scene effects, which offer wonderful lighting and make your photography more colorful.
  • 【Powerful Video Light】Power 12W, built-in 7.4V 3200mAh rechargeable battery, USB Type-C charging port, it can be fully charge in 2.5 hours. With standard hot shoe mount, it can be mounted on any DSLR camera, tripod, bracket, light stand, and you could adjust the angles easily.
  • 【Durable Structure and Unique Design】The light be made of full metal aluminum body, durability and good heat dissipation. Our RGB full color light with 360-degree supporting bracket and three 1/4″screws, which allow you to freely adjust bracket arm angle and add other accessories.
  • 【Portable Pocket Size Video Light】265g(weight) ,13.3cm*8.3cm*1.6cm(size), compact and lightweight for carrying even in pocket. As a multifunctional mini photography fill light, it is perfect for video shooting, interview, live streaming, YouTube, studio lighting.
  • 【Package Includes】1 X RGB video light with 360°bracket, 1 X portable carrying case, 1 X hot shoe adapter, 1 X charging cable, 1 X cloth bag, 1 X manual.

For Pixel LED Video Light P18 – The Review

In my last review I mentioned that I do a lot light of product photography, macro work, and in pitch black room photography. I found that using a flash isn’t always ideal for lighting up subjects.  There are times that I prefer static lighting over flash photography and at other times I’ve found that flash photography isn’t always allowed but they allow static lighting. After months of use LED Panels for various shoots I found that have to have multiple LED panels on tripods and a flash works best for my needs.

For the most part I only use 5600K color but having the option to adjust from 3200 – 5600k is nice and useful for my needs. Its all controlled with buttons on the sides with a status LED screen on the back of the panel.

Charging and Battery Up Time

Charging is quick and easy. It comes with a Micro-USB cord for charging and requires a USB-C cable for charging a device in a pinch. It does come with an USB adapter so you can use an apple or Micro-USB cable. I have not tested this feature and plan not to use it since I carry several portable batteries for backup in my kit. I never run the battery out completely. I’ve used it for about an hour at full power and it still had over 50% charge on it. I did turn it on and let it run out. I was able to get about 2 hours of use. The panel did get warm but not hot to the touch. The charging time took almost 2 hours on one of my slower USB wall chargers. It holds a full charger for a month, then slowly drains after that. I’ve had it drain down to 75% after 2 months of no use.

Mounting Options

The LED Light Panel can be mounted to a tripod via a screw mount. If you are looking for camera lighting, you can attach to a cold/hot shoe mount on the camera or camera cage. It can be mounted for landscape or portrait. I’ve only used in landscape on my tripod or hand held work.

Usage

As I mentioned before, I’ve only used the Pixel LED Video Light P18 mounted to a tripod or handheld for work. The light puts out enough light for doing close video work and some basic lighting for selfie vide work. But I found that I needed at minimum 3 lights of the same size and out put to light up my product photography. But it would be useful have a couple more. This size is perfect for light painting large objects and the ground around your subject. I use a similar one to paint old fight plans a few months back and it worked. For detailed light work I still used a small light.

The light works great and easy to switch the light output.

Storage

The hard (more stiff then hard, its neoprene I think) case is a nice feature and helps protect the Light from dings and scratches if it were dropped or got loose in my bag. Although the case has room to store the charging cable and cold shoe. I keep those separate in my gear bag.  Both the cable and cold shoe can be used with other devices.

Final Thoughts

I need a couple more panels for my work. One isn’t enough to replace studio lighting. As mentioned before I’m still new to lighting. But setting up the light on my camera for testing, it lite up my close up subjects. This light would be perfect for macro work. Its small enough that it won’t get in the way but bright enough that it should be enough to light up your subject.

The Pixel LED Video Light P18 is a good light. But I find the RGB models more useful and when you price it out, they aren’t that much more. I’m planning to get a couple more lights for my light painting kit and when its time add a couple more lights, I will look into  getting the newer version, Pixel LED Video Light GS1.