Are These The Tiniest Camera Flashes Ever Made? // Zeniko ZF04 & ZF08 Review
If you’ve ever hauled your bulky speedlight to a casual shoot and thought, “Why am I carrying this brick again?”—you’re not alone.
I’m a big fan of powerful flashes like the Godox V1 Pro, but let’s be honest… lugging that around for street photography, quick portraits, or everyday carry? Not exactly ideal.
That’s why I was genuinely intrigued when Zeniko sent me their ZF04 and ZF08 compact mini flashes. And after using them for a month, I can confidently say: these tiny flashes are a mighty little surprise.
The Problem Most Photographers Face: Power vs. Portability
Flash photography is powerful. It opens up creative control in nearly any lighting scenario—but the gear can be seriously inconvenient.
Too heavy for casual shoots.
Too expensive to risk everyday use.
Too bulky to fit in your bag (or pocket).
The Zeniko ZF04 and ZF08 set out to solve all of that. They're pocket-sized, dead simple, and shockingly affordable—but do they hold up in real-world use?
Let’s break it down.
Unboxing the Zeniko ZF04 & ZF08: What You Get
ZF04 (Smaller Flash)
Drawstring carrying pouch
USB-C charging cable
2 power levels: ½ and full power
ZF08 (Larger Flash)
Hard-shell zipper case
USB-C charging cable
5 power levels: 1/16, 1/8, ¼, ½, and full
Both flashes are incredibly compact and intuitive. No menu screens. No clutter. Just two buttons—one for power and one for intensity. You can literally get started in under 10 seconds.
Setup is as Easy as It Gets
Charge fully before use (recommended—takes about 1 hour out of the box, 4 hours from 0%).
Slide the flash into your camera’s hot shoe mount.
Power on and select your flash intensity.
Done. That’s it. No syncing. No channels. Just shoot.
Power and Performance in a Tiny Package
Despite their size, these flashes perform surprisingly well.
Recycle time: ~3 seconds at full power, faster at lower settings.
Battery life:
ZF08 – ~440 full-power shots per charge
ZF04 – ~372 full-power shots per charge
Auto sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity helps conserve battery.
The light output is color accurate and doesn’t suffer from weird color casts—a common issue in cheaper flashes.
Real-World Use: What I Loved (and What to Watch Out For)
✅ What I Loved
Unmatched portability – You can literally pocket these.
Quick and easy adjustments – Especially with the ZF08’s 5-level control.
Accurate, clean light – No green or magenta tints.
Everyday convenience – Perfect for daily carry, run-and-gun shoots, or spontaneous portraits.
⚠️ Things to Consider
1. No TTL or Auto Mode
You’ll need to manually dial in your flash power, but here’s a simple cheat sheet I use:
Outdoors in sunlight? → Full power.
Indoors or low light? → Start at ¼ power and adjust.
Yes, it takes 1–2 test shots at first. But you’ll get the hang of it—and eventually it becomes second nature.
2. Lens Shadow with Larger Glass
If you’re using chunky zoom lenses, you may notice an ugly shadow at the bottom of your image. It’s not the flash’s fault—it’s just physics.
Solution:
Use compact lenses (like smaller prime lenses).
Zoom in to 50mm, 85mm, or longer to push the shadow out of frame.
If you're a prime lens shooter, you're golden. But big zooms? You’ll want to test first.
ZF04 vs. ZF08: Which One Should You Get?
Feature ZF04 ZF08 Power levels 2 (½ & Full) 5 (1/16 to Full) Case Drawstring pouch Hard shell case Price $30 $33 Best for Simplicity, ultralight carry More control, better versatility
If you want more power control and pro-like adjustments, go for the ZF08. But if you want the smallest, most lightweight flash possible, the ZF04 still gets the job done—especially in consistent lighting.
Final Verdict: Tiny, Mighty, and Totally Worth It
After using these for a full month, I can say this:
Zeniko absolutely nailed it.
They created a flash that strips away all the fluff and gives you exactly what you need:
Lightweight
Affordable
Reliable
Easy to use
For just $30–$33, these flashes deliver 90% of what my $350 Godox V1 Pro can do, but in a form factor I can actually carry every day.
Actionable Tips for Flash Photography with Zeniko Minis
✅ Charge before every shoot.
✅ Use compact lenses or longer focal lengths to avoid lens shadows.
✅ Start at full power outdoors, ¼ power indoors. Adjust as needed.
✅ Avoid relying on TTL—get used to dialing settings manually.
✅ Keep one in your bag. Always. You never know when you'll need it.
Want to Try Them Yourself?
If you're looking for a flash that won’t slow you down or bulk up your camera bag, I can’t recommend these enough.
👉 Pick up the flashes for yourself below:
Zeniko ZF04 Camera Flash: https://amzn.to/44mm5Rm
Zeniko ZF08 Camera Flash: https://amzn.to/3EZ1isu
And if you enjoyed this breakdown, check out my other gear reviews to level up your photo and video game.
