Neewer has introduced two new panel lights that are not only fantastic for video but also excellent for photography. These powerful yet cost-effective lighting options have unique features that can inspire various creative uses. If you’re in the market for this type of lighting, which one will you pick?
You might have seen my growing affection for Neewer products. This is because I am exploring the use of more studio lighting—not just in photography—and they offer solid gear at affordable prices. I’ve also been creating videos for others, and having quality lighting is crucial.
Using a flash isn’t always feasible. One of my clients has epilepsy, and the last thing I want is to trigger a seizure. Additionally, many people find flash photography uncomfortable, so using continuous lighting can help make subjects feel more at ease.
Permanent lighting must be bright enough for both video and photography. Fortunately, advancements in LED technology are enhancing the power of continuous lighting.
Another significant benefit of LED over flash is the enhanced control over the color temperature. With RGB lights, you have access to an extensive range of colors. The latest technology also allows for matching the lighting to other colors present in a scene.
A panel light provides a relatively even distribution of light across an area. This makes it suitable for video and certain styles of portrait photography where you need a uniform light on the subject. Although some modifications are possible, they don’t offer the same versatility as a spotlight with a Bowens mount.
The two new panels look nearly identical at first glance, yet they operate in distinctly different ways.
The Neewer AP100C
The Neewer AP100C panel light, measuring 16 ¾” X 8 ¼”, is built with an all-metal housing for durability. The glass front is safeguarded by removable, hinged barn doors to manage the light’s spread.
The lamp is mounted on a sturdy metal U-frame, which can be attached to a lighting stand.
The back of the panel features a menu and mode buttons, along with two knobs for adjusting the lighting. Their functions can be toggled with a firm press, complemented by four programmable push buttons for preset applications. A backlit LCD panel displays the current settings.
The back also houses two silent-running cooling fans within the vents.
At the base of the body, there is a 20-volt power input, as well as DMX in and out sockets. You can also connect it through a D-Tap cable to a V-mount battery, which must be purchased separately.
The package includes a power supply with a notably long cable for convenience.
Similar to other Neewer lights, the AP100C can be controlled using the Neewer app, available for both Android and iOS devices. This app simplifies the light control via various sections:
The CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) section allows adjustments to the color temperature and green/magenta tint. The temperature range spans from 2,500 K to 10,000 K, with a +/-50 adjustment for green/magenta.
The Light Source setting mimics 14 different presets like blue sky, moonlight, studio lamp, halogen light, and more.
The Source Match feature lets you match the light to a secondary source using your phone’s camera.
CTB (Color Temperature Blue) simulates the cooling effect of a lighting gel.
HSI (Hue, Saturation, and Intensity) allows color mixing with either sliders or a color wheel.
RGB provides red, green, and blue sliders, with values ranging from 0 to 255.
FX provides 18 special effects to imitate various flickering and flashing lights, from explosions and lightning to cop cars and candlelight.
The FX Picker enables the recording of a custom flash sequence with varying color values based on your phone’s camera sampling.
FX Music syncs the light’s flashes to musical rhythms.
XY adjusts the lighting based on the selected XY value within the color range.
RGBCW works to…
Similar to the RGB sliders, this feature also incorporates warm and cool white shades to the chosen color.
The color filters correspond to 20 distinct LEE or ROSCO filters.
It offers four different dimming curves: linear, exponential, S-shaped, and logarithmic types.
This light is powered by 1,200 high-performance TIR LEDs, delivering a remarkable output of 105 watts, which ensures high brightness. The technical details indicate that it emits 31,500 lux at a distance of 0.5 meters with a color temperature of 5,600 K. To understand its real-world application, I set the light approximately three meters away from a white wall, and configured my camera to f/8 in aperture priority mode. With the light off, the exposure time was one second. When I activated the panel, the exposure shortened drastically to 1/80th of a second, and at an aperture of f/2.8, I achieved speeds over 1/500ths of a second—adequate for most studio photography scenarios.
While adjustments can be made via the panel’s rear, I found it significantly more efficient and quicker to control the light using the mobile app, which operates effectively from 15 meters (49 ft) away.
This light has the capability to wirelessly connect with other Neewer devices through its 2.4G control. Additionally, DMX control enables integration with professional mixing boards.
The Neewer AP100B
The Neewer AP100B resembles the 100C in appearance but has some functional distinctions.
Primarily, it is designed as a bi-color LED panel and not RGB. This means it provides a white light with adjustable color temperatures ranging from 2,500 K to 8,599 K. You might be curious why one would choose this model over the RGB variant. It’s priced $80 less and, based on specifications, it is brighter, emitting 38,600 lux at 0.5 m. However, in conducting the same tests as with the RGB light, the shutter speed remained unchanged at the same aperture and ISO settings.
If RGB adjustments aren’t a necessity but you still require color temperature changes, then the AP100B is an excellent choice.
This light offers 13 different scene effects, 14 lighting source presets, four dimming curves, and allows for operation through a mobile app or DMX. It can also connect wirelessly with other lights via its 2.4G system. Similar to the AP100C, you can use it indoors with its included 20 V DC adapter or outdoors using a V-mount battery via a D-Tap connection.
Package Contents
- AP100C or AP100BRGB Light Panel with Barn Doors
- Power Adapter
- AC Power Cord
- Metal Safety Hook
- Storage Bag
What I Liked and Suggestions for Improvement
What I Liked
Excellent build quality
More luminous than comparable lights
Easy control through the app
Enhanced, user-friendly rear panel controls
Preset buttons
Suggestions for Future Improvements
Specifications
Neewer AP100C Specifications
LED Count: 1,200 pcs
Peak Power: 105 W
Maximum Brightness: 31,500 lux at 0.5 m (5,600 K); 9,800 lux at 1 m
Color Temperature Range: 2,500 K–10,000 K (in 100 K increments)
Brightness Control: 0%–100% (in increments of 0.1%)
Brightness Modes: Constant brightness mode, peak power mode
CRI/TLCI Ratings: CRI 96+, TLCI 97+
Beam Angle: 45°
Dimming Curves: S-type, Log-type, Exp-type, Linear-type
Green/Magenta Adjustment: -50 to +50
RGB/CW Settings (Red/Green/Blue/Cool White/Warm White): 0–255
Color Gels: 20 from ROSCO and 20 from LEE
Hue Range: 0–360°
Saturation Range: 0%–100%
Special Scene Effects: 18 variations
Light Source Matching Presets: 17 options
XY Color Coordinates: 0.0000–0.8000
Channel Range: 000–099
Power Source: AC adapter (20 V) or V-mount battery (14.8–26 V)
Control Options: App / 2.4G wireless / On-device / DMX
Fan Modes: Smart, Medium, High, Silent
Operating Temp: -10°C to 40°C
Dimensions: 20.8″ × 13.3″ × 3.4″ (53 × 34 × 8.6 cm)
Weight: 7.9 lb (3.58 kg)
Price Range at Review Time: $279.99–$379.99*
Neewer AP100B Specifications
LED Count: 960 pcs
Peak Power: 100 W
Maximum Brightness: 38,600 lux at 0.5 m; 12,200 lux at 1 m
Color Temperature Range: 2,500 K–8,500 K (in increments of 100 K)
Brightness Control: 0%–100% (in increments of 0.1%)
CRI/TLCI Ratings: CRI 96+, TLCI 97+
Beam Angle: 45°
Special Scene Effects: 13 variations
Light Source Matching Presets: 14 options
Channel Range: 000–099
Power Source: AC adapter (20 V) or V-mount battery (14.8–26 V)
Control Options: App / 2.4G wireless / On-device / DMX
Fan Modes: Smart, Medium, High, Silent
Operating Temp: -10°C to 40°C
Dimensions: 20.8″ × 13.3″ × 3.4″ (53 × 34 × 8.6 cm)
Weight: 7.9 lb (3.58 kg)
Price Range at Review Time: $228.09–$299.99*
*Prices for these items vary significantly based on stock availability or importation and any applicable tariffs. Be sure to seek out discounts.
