When it comes to photography gear, we often find ourselves having to compromise between features and price. Flash photography can be incredibly pricey, creating an artificial barrier to entry. While buying used is still one of the best ways to save some serious coin, there are some affordable options thanks to companies like Viltrox. With that said, I’ve been using the Viltrox Z3 TTL for Fujifilm cameras for about a month, and here are some of the takeaways from my time with the lens.
Disclosure: Viltrox sent us a Spark Z3 for keeps; however, Viltrox and any other company we work with or review products for do not have any say on our coverage or rating. Additionally, if you choose to buy from Amazon, TheNoisecast receives a very small commission on purchases made through our link. It’s how we keep the lights on and ads out of your reading experience.
Build, Design, and Functionality
The Viltrox Spark Z3 delivers a unique feature in its category: affordable TTL capability for every major camera system (sorry, OM Systems and Panasonic, maybe in the future). While there have been many compact flash gun units in the past, very few have been able to deliver solid power output (26W/s in the case of the Spark Z3), TTL compatibility, and a price under $60. For context, Fujifilm’s EF-X20 is similarly sized with TTL capability but starts at around $390 USD on the used market – nearly double its MSRP if you can ever find it.
In the box, you’ll find a dome diffuser to help cut down the harshness of direct flash, but what really makes this such a tempting purchase is the convenience of fast USB-C charging (approximately 70 minutes to full charge) and the long battery life – rated for 650 flashes per charge. If that’s not enough battery life for you, you can even use a portable battery pack to use the flash while charging.
Lastly, the overall design of the Spark Z3 is something that honestly grew on me. Viltrox calls this a “cyberpunk-inspired design,” and while that’s not really the aesthetic that I actively seek out, I’ve grown to like it when paired with my Fujifilm X-Pro3. We were sent over the “gunmetal” version, and as you can see in the product images throughout this review, it looks good. In terms of build, the Spark Z3 feels solid if only a little plastic-y in some parts. That being said, it feels solid and sturdy, though you should be warned that you should not take this out in the rain, as there is no weather-sealing to speak of.
Giving my Photography a Spark
How do I feel about the Spark Z3 after nearly a month of testing? As I alluded to earlier in this review, I’ve been actively looking for a compact flash with TTL capability for my Fuji cameras. While Fujifilm offers several options, most are outside of my current budget—especially if they will not be used primarily for work. And that’s really where Viltrox has found a sweet spot in positioning this, and other flashes. Photography is largely about being creative and finding new ways to see the world. The Viltrox Z3 allowed me to take my X-Pro 3 out at night and enjoy taking snaps of the neighborhood in conditions where it would not otherwise be possible or require a tripod.
Outside of nighttime snaps, the Spark Z3 made for a strong fill light when shooting outdoors in harsh sunlight. In my travels, I often find people trying to take snapshots of themselves or their subjects posing in front of a sunset, often leaving their subject severely backlit or their sunset fully blown out. The Z3 is powerful enough to fill in the shadows while still properly exposing for the setting sun. I was able to use the Spark Z3 to do just that, taking my nephew to his first day of school – a shot that can be complicated by the early morning sun.
Sample Images:
Final Thoughts: Is the Spark Z3 Worth a Purchase?
As far as the technical aspects of the Viltrox Spark Z3 go, you’ll be pleased with its solid construction, high power output, fast charging, long battery life, and TTL capability. Thanks to its competitive pricing, the Spark Z3 will give you an opportunity to learn flash photography. If you’re someone who wants more out of their travel photography, the Z3’s small footprint – about 3.5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide – makes this a great option for keeping your bag light, especially for Fujifilm shooters. Additionally, if you’re looking to recreate the direct-flash look of late 90s to early 2000s photography, the Spark Z3 does a great job recreating this with just a few changes in your editing software of choice.
We’re giving the Viltrox Spark Z3 a four out of five stars for its TTL compatibility, ease of use, and low price. You can check one out for yourself on Viltrox’s website or on Amazon.
As of this writing, the Spark Z3 is available for Fujifilm users for $54.99. Versions compatible with Sony, Canon, and Nikon TTL are coming soon. We’ll update this review when they become available.
Viltrox Spark Z3 Features
- Flash Modes: M – manual mode; A – TTL auto mode
- Max Power Output: 26W/s with 7-stop dial control
- Flash Trigger Mode: S1 – sync with flash triggering mode; S2 – anti pre-flash mode (second flash trigger)
- Battery Capacity: 3.7V/1800mAh
- TTL Compatibility: Fujifilm (Spark Z3-F), Coming soon – Canon (Spark Z3-C), Sony (Spark Z3-s), Nikon (Spark Z3-N)
- Recycle Time: 1 sec
- Flash Count: 650
- Colors: Available in Tundra Green or Gunmetal Gray