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Nikon Flash Comparison • Landscape Photography
• Wildlife Photography
BY NASIM MANSUROV | 106 COMMENTS
LAST UPDATED ON FEBRUARY 11, 2018 • Portraiture
• Post-Processing
• Advanced Tutorials
Technically, the article is supposed to be called “Nikon Speedlight Comparison”,
because Nikon calls their flash units “Speedlights”. This article is written as an
introduction to the current and older line of Nikon Speedlights, specifically the LEVEL
Nikon SB-300, SB-400, SB-500, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910 and
SB-5000. In addition to some basic information on each Speedlight, I will provide
YOUR HORIZONS
a comparison chart on the bottom of this article as well, to make it simpler for our
readers to understand the differences.

Table of Contents
1. Nikon SB-300
2. Nikon SB-400
3. Nikon SB-500
4. Nikon SB-600
5. Nikon SB-700
6. Nikon SB-800 Become a Photography
7. Nikon SB-900 Life Member Today!
8. Nikon SB-910
9. Nikon SB-5000
10. Nikon Speedlight Comparison Chart REVIEWS

• Camera Reviews
1) Nikon SB-300 • Lens Reviews
• Other Gear Reviews
The most basic of all Nikon
• Best Cameras and Lenses
Speedlights, the Nikon SB-300 is also
the lightest and the most compact one. PHOTOGRAPHY TUTORIALS

It is designed to be used only on top of

the camera and cannot work in
master/commander or slave/remote
modes. Certainly more powerful than PHOTOGRAPHY LANDSCAPE
BASICS PHOTOGRAPHY
the on-camera pop-up flash, the SB-
300 flash head can only be tilted
upwards up to 120 degrees for
bouncing light. Unlike all other Nikon
speedlights, the SB-300 cannot rotate from left to right and vice versa, limiting WILDLIFE MACRO
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
options for bouncing light off various lighting accessories. While it fully supports
Nikon’s i-TTL and various sync modes, it does not support some of the Nikon
CLS (Creative Lighting System) features such as High Speed Sync and
Autofocus Assist. The SB-300 is a very lightweight flash that takes only two AAA
Alkaline or Ni-MH batteries. The Nikon SB-300 costs around $150 USD brand COMPOSITION & BLACK & WHITE
CREATIVITY PHOTOGRAPHY
new.

2) Nikon SB-400
NIGHT SKY PORTRAIT
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY
The Nikon SB-400 is another very
basic flash unit. It is very similar to the
SB-300, except it only allows the head
to be tilted 90 degrees upwards (which
is pretty limiting). It also won’t work in STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOS
master/commander or slave/remote
modes. Just like the SB-300, it cannot
UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS
rotate side to side either, making it
impossible to bounce the light off walls and other vertical surfaces, unless the
camera is positioned in a vertical orientation. The SB-400 has a faster recycle
time than the SB-300, lasts longer and is slightly larger in size. Nikon’s i-TTL is
also fully supported, except for High Speed Sync and AF Assist. The Nikon SB-
400 has been discontinued, so your only option is to buy it used.

3) Nikon SB-500
The SB-500 is the first Nikon
speedlight to come with built-in LED
lights for use as continuous / video light
(the LED light can function SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL

independently from the main flash). If you like our content, you can subscribe to our
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With a guide number of 24m, it might
the link below:
not be as powerful as the higher-end
speedlights, but it is still a pretty Subscribe to our newsletter
capable flash that can be used as a
commander to trigger other flashes, or
as a slave. Its head is quite flexible and
can be either tilted up to 90° or rotated
from 0° to 180°, just like the higher-end models. Due to its limited power source
comprising of 2 AA size batteries, the recycling time is quite poor at 3.5 seconds.
Not a bad flash to get into flash photography with and could be fairly useful as a
slave in combination with the camera pop-up flash operating as a master. Fully
compatible with the Nikon CLS system. Can be purchased new for $246.95.

4) Nikon SB-600
Discontinued in 2011, the Nikon SB-
600 is a very capable flash that has a
flexible head for both tilting (up and
down) and rotating (left and right). It
can only be used either on-camera or
off-camera as a slave (no master /
commander mode). The Nikon SB-600
supports most Nikon CLS features and
uses four AA batteries with a good
recycle time. Unlike the Nikon SB-300,
SB-400 and SB-500, it has an LCD
screen on the back of the flash for flash
setup options. When compared to the higher-end SB-700, the SB-600 does not
come with a diffusion dome (useful for indoors shots) and color gels. It does
come with a stand though, which can be put on a flat surface or mounted on a
tripod when used as a slave unit (off-camera flash). The Nikon SB-600 will
automatically zoom in/out for focal lengths between 24-85mm. It has no sync
port, which means that you cannot use it with triggers like PocketWizard Plus II /
III (a separate adapter for the sync cord needs to be purchased). New
PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 units can be used with this flash. Although
you cannot buy the SB-600 new, it can be often found used in good condition
under $200.

5) Nikon SB-700
The Nikon SB-700 is a major step-up
from the Nikon SB-600 with a
completely redesigned user interface,
which is much more intuitive and easier
to use than the one on the Nikon SB-
600. It fully supports all Nikon CLS
features and in addition, can be used
as a master/commander to trigger
other slave flashes. Compared to the
Nikon SB-800/SB-900, the commander
mode is somewhat limited, with
support of only up to two groups of
flashes (Group A and Group B). Its recycle time is fast and the flash can
automatically zoom in and out for focal lengths of 24-120mm. It comes with a
bunch of accessories such as a diffusion dome, colors gels and a flash stand.
Similar to the Nikon SB-600, the SB-700 also does not come with a sync port, so
only the newer PocketWizard triggers like MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 can be used with
it without any additional adapters. The Nikon SB-700 sells for approximately
$325 new.

6) Nikon SB-800
The Nikon SB-800 was discontinued in
2008 after Nikon SB-900 was
introduced to the market. It is a great
flash that also fully supports all Nikon
CLS features such as i-TTL, High
Speed Sync and much more. A heavy
duty flash that was designed to be
used for demanding professionals. The
head is very flexible and can be tilted
and rotated for bouncing the light off
ceilings, walls and other surfaces. It is a
fully-featured master/commander and
a slave that supports up to three wireless groups (Group A, Group B and Group
C). Thanks to the sync port, the Nikon SB-800 can be used with all radio
triggers/transmitters, including the traditional PocketWizard models. The nice
thing about the SB-800, is that it comes with an extra battery compartment for
the fifth battery, which helps in reducing the recycle time and it can take external
battery packs for continuous flash shooting. The SB-800 also comes with plenty
of accessories such as a diffuser dome, color gels and a stand for off-camera
use. Nikon SB-800 typically goes for around $250-$300 for a used model in
good condition.

7) Nikon SB-900
Before the updated SB-910, the high-
end Nikon speedlight that replaced the
SB-800 was the Nikon SB-900. The
Nikon SB-900 is a very flexible device
that can be used both as a master and
a slave, and fully supports all current
Nikon CLS features. The SB-900 has a
similar intuitive user interface as the
SB-700 and also comes with all
accessories for on-camera and off-
camera shooting. The flash zoom
feature covers 17-200mm, which
means that you can cover a very wide area or zoom in and cover a much smaller
area for a more defined flash look, similar to a mini-snoot. The PC/sync port is
included and just like the SB-800, the SB-900 can also work with external
battery packs like SD-9. In terms of recycle time, although the SB-900 can only
take 4 batteries maximum, it outperforms the Nikon SB-800 with the extra
battery option. Unfortunately, the SB-900 suffered from overheating issues, so
its resale value quickly dropped once the SB-910 became available. It can still be
purchased for $250-300 in good condition.

8) Nikon SB-910
As pointed out above, when the Nikon
SB-900 came out, it had an issue
where it would shut down and refuse to
work when overheated. While this was
not an issue for me, since I never abuse
my flashes and try to keep them cool
by firing at lower power (prefer to stay
at 1/2-1/4 max), many photographers
complained about it. There was no way
to fix the overheating issue with a
firmware update, so Nikon updated the
model with the newer SB-910. In
addition to this hardware modification, Nikon made a few other changes to the
SB-910. It made slight modifications to the body and control layout, brightened
up the LCD, replaced the soft plastic gels with hard plastic ones and made some
tweaks to the speedlight menu. Everything else remained the same. It sold new
for $550, but when Nikon released the top-of-the-line SB-5000 model, it was
immediately discontinued. If you don’t need radio capabilities of the new SB-
5000, the SB-910 is still an excellent flash unit that can be purchased for around
$300-$350 used.

9) Nikon SB-5000
The Nikon SB-5000 is the most current
top-of-the-line speedlight in Nikon’s
arsenal of flash units. It is the first
Nikon speedlight to utilize radio
frequency instead of infrared for flash
operation, making the SB-5000 a
versatile flash that can be used in
daylight conditions without any
interference. With a guide number of
34.5 meters at 35mm position and 55
meters at 200mm position, the SB-
5000 is the most powerful speedlight
Nikon has ever made. It weighs the same as the SB-910, but despite the added
features, it is noticeably smaller in size. Its recycling time is very impressive at 1.8
seconds when used with hig-capacity Ni-MH batteries and it also performs
noticeably better with AA-size Alkaline batteries. The SB-5000 is compatible
with all current generation Nikon DSLRs, but the camera menu-based radio
features are only available on the latest DSLR models such as the Nikon D7500,
D500 and D5 (WR-R10 or WR-A10 wireless remote adapter is required for radio
operation). The SB-5000 can control up to 6 SB-5000 flash groups (up to 3 flash
groups in 4 channels when using older speedlights) and has a special heat-
reduction design that can handle up to 100 consecutive flash firings without
overheating. With its MSRP price of $599, it is the most expensive and the most
versatile speedlight offered by Nikon.

Nikon Speedlight Comparison Chart

Speedlight SB- SB- SB- SB- SB- SB- SB- SB-
SB-700
Feature 300 400* 500 600* 800* 900* 910* 5000

Lens 27- 27mm 24mm 24- 24- 24- 17- 17- 24-
Coverage/Zoom 200mm 85mm 120mm 105mm 200mm 200mm 200mm

Guide Number (ISO 18m 21m 24m 30m 28m 38m 34m 34m 34.5m
100, 35mm)

Guide Number (ISO N/A N/A N/A 40m 38m 56m 56m 53m 55m
100, Max Zoom)

Bounce Head Tilt Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Bounce Head No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Rotate

Master/Commander No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Mode

Slave/Remote No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Mode

Total Wireless N/A N/A 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Channels

Total Wireless N/A N/A 2 (A/B) N/A 2 (A/B) 3 3 3 6 R, 3 IR

Groups (A/B/C) (A/B/C) (A/B/C)

Radio Control No No No No No No No No Yes

Easy N/A N/A Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Master/Remote
Switch

i-TTL Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Monitor Pre- Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Flashes

Modeling No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Illuminator

Repeating Flash No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

LED Lights No No Yes No No No No No No

Manual Mode No No Yes, via Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
DSLR

Autofocus Assist No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

PC/Sync Socket No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Power Source 2 AAA 2 AA 2 AA 4 AA 4 AA 4/5 AA 4 AA 4 AA 4 AA

Recycle Time (Ni- 3.5 Sec 2.5 3.5 Sec 2.5 2.5 Sec 2.7 Sec 2.3 Sec 2.3 Sec 1.8 Sec
MH) Sec Sec

Recycle Time 4.0 Sec 3.9 4.0 Sec 3.5 2.5 Sec 6.0/4.0 4.0 Sec 4.0 Sec 2.6 Sec
(Alcaline) Sec Sec Sec

Flash Duration (Full 1/1650 1/1300 1/1100 1/900 1/1042 1/1050 1/880 1/880 1/980
Power) Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec

Flash Duration (Half N/A N/A N/A 1/1600 1/1136 1/1100 1/1100 1/1100 1/1100
Power) Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec Sec

Minimum Number 70 140 100 200 160 130 110 110 150
of Flashes
(Alkaline)

Minimum Number 110 210 140 220 230 150 165 165 190
of Flashes (Ni-MH)

High Speed Sync No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Rear-Curtain Sync Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Slow Sync Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

LCD Screen No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

FV (Flash Value) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lock

Flash N/A N/A Camera -3.0 to -3.0 to -3.0 to -3.0 to -3.0 to -3.0 to
Compensation Only +3.0 +3.0 +3.0 +3.0 +3.0 +3.0

Flash Color Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Communication

Firmware Update Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Diffusion Dome No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Included

Color Gels Included No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Color Gel Type N/A N/A N/A N/A Hard Soft Soft Hard Hard
Plastic Plastic Plastic Plastic Plastic

Flash Stand No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Included

Can Use External No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Battery Packs

Improved Thermal No No No No No No No Yes Yes

Cut-Out

Weight 97g 128g 226g 300g 360g 350g 415g 420g 420g

Dimensions 57.4 x 66 x 67 x 68 x 71 x 126 70.6 x 78 x 146 78.5 x 73 x 137

65.4 x 56.5 x 114.5 x 123.5 x 127.4 x x 145 x x
62.3mm 80mm 70.8mm x 104.5mm 91.7mm 118.5mm 113mm 103.5mm
90mm

* Nikon SB-400 was discontinued in 2013

* Nikon SB-600 was discontinued in 2012
* Nikon SB-800 was discontinued in 2008
* Nikon SB-900 was discontinued in 2011
* Nikon SB-910 was discontinued in 2016

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DISCLOSURES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND SUPPORT OPTIONS

FILED UNDER: FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY AND LIGHTING

TAGGED WITH: FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY, NIKON, PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life,
based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the
leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops,
producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography
Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim
here.

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106 COMMENTS Newest

Keith Jones
June 18, 2021 7:48 pm

Hi, in the SB-5000 description it says “With a guide number of 34.5 meters at 35mm position
and 55 meters at 200mm position, the SB-5000 is the most powerful speedlight Nikon has
ever made.” but the SB-800 is more powerful.

2 Reply

Mahmood Hamidi
September 29, 2020 10:11 am

I think the Google ads are taking over the site and degrade the quality of this site. It has gone
too far as not only they are a lot distracting but also part of the info you want to read is
covered over by the ads.

4 Reply

william h carter
September 10, 2020 2:28 pm

Hi Nasim. I forgot to mention it was using 2-sb 700’s. I know it is a softbox. But i was
interested in what the quality of the light might be. Thanks.

0 Reply

william h carter
September 10, 2020 2:22 pm

Hi Nasim. I have a question on using Nikon flashes. I have a large lastolite softbox that takes
two flash units. My question is how much light will i produce from using these two flashes. Or
would i get more from using 1 sb5000 an 1 sb700. Or will i produce a hot spot with one
having more power than the other? Just curious that’s all. I can always set it up and see. But i
just thought with your experience.

0 Reply

Jozef
May 20, 2020 1:04 pm

Hi Nassim,

I can buy a used Nikon SB 900 for the same price ( 135 euro ) as a Nikon SB 800, both in
good condition.
Which one do you reccommend?
Thanks in advance.

Jozef

0 Reply

Martin
October 27, 2017 5:40 am

I’m a bit late with my comment but as last week one of my AA-battery leaked and I could only
use my SB-700 after a whole hour of cleaning, I wondered why Nikon doesn’t produce
speedlights with rechargeable batteries such as the EN-EL 15. Has this topic ever been
discussed?

At least now I never leave AA-batteries in my speedlights anymore (learned that lesson).

0 Reply

Chris K.
July 3, 2017 4:00 pm

Great article Nasim, hey I have the SB-910 and when using it at a Baptism the other day I
can’t seem to get more than 3 shots in a row then the next frames will be black, I was also
using my pixel external battery pack and made sure all of the eneloop batteries were
charged, this seems strange because I think I remember I was able to take like 6-7 photos in
a row without the external battery pack (but I could be wrong) What batteries do you prefer
to use with your flashes?
Thanks;)

0 Reply

Hector rivera
February 8, 2017 6:03 am

I just switched to Nikon from canon and I refuse to use the canon speedlights I always use
the youngnuos and switched to the flashpoint zions also known as the Godox flashes theirs
just revolutionizing the speed light world I don’t worry about AA double batteries no more ,
no more battery packs , no more wires hanging all radio they all talk to each other along with
the X1 , ettl , second curtain sync , HSS sync reliable powerful speed light will last you all
night with out recharging for weddings , 1.4 seconds full power pops recycle time that’s
insane just aweome from adorama back up by 1 year warrants and is half the cost $179 i just
can’t believe that Nikon hasn’t put a nice triggering system which horrible u have to pay extra
for everything no thanks I’ll stick to my 10 speed lights I love them shot about 10’weddings
with then and no problems at all they are 10 x better then the youngnuo brands by far just my
2 cents light is light good write up

0 Reply

Chasrl178
Reply to Hector rivera April 29, 2017 1:01 pm

How long have you been using the Godex flashes? Any problems with them @ all? There
are a lot of great flashes out today @ very good prices.

0 Reply

Sherv
January 5, 2017 7:41 am

Hi Nassim,

Great post! Thanks. I am new to flash photography and the only thing I have is the old SB-
400 which I love and see now reason as to why I should ever upgrade…. except, when I want
to sync two flashes :) Is it possible to keep the SB-400 but add a secondary flash with
remote?

Thanks

0 Reply

Allan Wood
November 24, 2016 10:35 am

SB-600 speed light. Due to the tiny buttons, an overly complex and non intuitive interface, I
am getting rid of this flash. I avoid using it due to complexity, and the need to attempt to
refer to the terrible user guide when I try to change settings. That translates to missed shots,
so it is best to spend a lot of time figuring out a favorite setup, and leaving it that way. I am
attempting to find a more intuitive, easy to use flash for use with a D700 & D750 (must allow
CLS).

0 Reply

Leo
Reply to Allan Wood December 4, 2016 4:42 pm

Allan,

Take some time to figure out the SB-600. It is really not difficult.

To set up the flash is one thing – to clearly understand CLS channels and groups is
another… so the same problem will apply with your SB-700/900/910.

All my flashes are marked with labels to tell me to which channel and group they are set.
SO I do not even have to switch them on to see what is going on. Then – after they have
been set up, lock them! Then you cannot accidentally change their setup.

Check here, hope it helps: thegreyblog.blogspot.co.za/2012/…orial.html

Please note If you want to use CLS flash with your D700, you will need a commander –
either an SU-800 or another commander capable flash, eg SB-700/800/900/910 – or
just an cable. On the D750 the pop-up flash can be used to command any SB-
600/700/800/900/910 flash.

The SU-800 is a very cost effective trigger. Why? You can trigger 50 Nikon CLS flashes
with ONE SU-800! Want to go and buy some Pocket Wizards for a large quantity of flash
guns?

1 Reply

Allan Wood
Reply to Leo December 8, 2016 5:55 pm

Thanks Leo, I am still on the fence since I can only afford one flash, so at times I
need to change settings. The SB-600 interface is cumbersome and not intuitive.

0 Reply

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