Pixel X800c Flash Review

The new X800C ETTL speedlights for Canon are the first flash units available from Pixel HK with 2.4GHz radio transceiver built inside. Providing both master and slave modes via radio, as well as Canon Optic Wireless transmission.

And the X800C will soon be compatible with existing Pixel King Pro, and original Pixel King ETTL and HSS enabled transceivers (once the appropriate firmware is available).

The X800C are full featured ETTL flashes with HSS (High Speed Sync) enabled.

Like Pixels recent and first speedlite the Mago, the X800C take some styling cues from the current Canon 600EX-RT, though again they do still retain their own unique design.

Instead of being a larger flash as the Mago is, Pixel have managed to actually make the X800C a little more compact than the Canon 600EX-RT this time. While still retaining close to a full power flash with 2.4GHz radio transceivers built inside.

Please note though – the X800C are not directly compatible with Canon’s RT radio system.

X800C FEATURES

• GN 60m (ISO 100 / 200mm)
• HSS to 1/8000th
• Flash Mode – ETTL /M / Multi
• 1st Curtain Sync / 2nd Curtain Sync
• FEC / FEB – 1/3rd Increments (±3 stops)
• Manual Flash – 1/128 – 1/1 output control (1/3rd increments)
• 20-200mm Auto and Manual Flash Zoom

• Pixel 2.4GHz RF Radio Master and Slave Modes
• Master and Slave Modes for Canon Optic Wireless System
• S1 & S2 Basic Optic Slave Modes

• Full Power Recycle – From 2.5 Seconds
• Flash Groups – 3,  A/B/C
• Radio Channels – 4
• Optic Channels – 4
• Supports Canon Flash Control Menus
• Custom Functions
• Sound Prompt
• Heat Protection
• LCD Back Light Can be Kept On

• AF Assist Light
• Full 360 Degree Swivel and Tilt Head (With Locking Button)
• Large Clear High Resolution Dot Matrix LCD Screen
• Canon Like Interface
• Fast Clamping Metal Foot with Locking Pin
• Long Life Flash Tube

• External Battery Port
• USB Port for Firmware Updates
• PC Sync Port

OVERVIEW

The X800C are Pixel HK’s first 2.4GHz radio enabled flash units available. And second speedlite model overall after the recent non radio enabled Mago.

And for those that may not be aware, Pixel HK were the first Chinese company to engineer TTL radio triggers for the Canon, Nikon, and Sony systems, a number of years ago now.

So the X800C have been a long time coming, and many King and King Pro TTL trigger owners have been patiently awaiting the arrival of a radio flash to complement their system.

The X800C provide a relatively inexpensive on-camera ETTL and HSS enabled flash, as well as an off-camera flash system, where the master flash on camera can control a number of slave flashes via the built in radio system.

The X800C speedlites reviewed here are pre production units with original F1S 001 firmware. So any issues mentioned here may be resolved in the production units, or future firmware updates.

Compatibility with the King and King Pro TTL triggers will be provided with future firmware as well, so combining those could not be evaluated at this stage either.

SUMMARY

The Pixel X800C are looking to be a nice simple and inexpensive radio flash system, and should provide a good complement to the King Pro system as well.

We will have to wait for the production models and updated firmware to really assess the performance in range and ETTL exposures etc.

Pixel appear to be very open to feedback from users and reviews like this to help refine the features and functions of the flashes, so there may be updates and changes still to come for the X800C.