Starting Point: My Need for Better Light
Like many content creators, whether shooting photos, videos, or just needing better lighting for calls, I struggled for a long time with inconsistent and often unflattering light. Relying on overhead room lights or unpredictable window light made my visuals look amateurish. I knew I needed a more reliable and portable video light solution, something that could fit into different scenarios and give me creative control. Without addressing this, my work would continue to lack that professional polish, and I’d constantly be fighting harsh shadows or dull scenes.
Before diving into a specific purchase, it’s crucial to understand why you need a portable LED camera light in the first place and what factors truly matter. These types of lights are sought after to add dimension, fill shadows, provide accent colours, or simply brighten a scene when available light isn’t sufficient. They’re indispensable for anyone creating visual content on the go, setting up small studio spaces, doing product photography, shooting interviews, or even enhancing webcam quality for streaming or meetings.
The ideal customer for a light like this is typically a photographer, videographer, vlogger, streamer, or content enthusiast who needs flexibility and creative options without the bulk and expense of larger studio lights. They value portability and the ability to easily integrate the light into existing camera setups or place it discreetly in a scene. However, someone working in a professional film studio or needing to light large areas might find a single, small panel insufficient and should look at more powerful, larger fixtures designed for such scale. Similarly, absolute professional colour grading experts might require lights with even higher, independently tested CRI/TLCI ratings and finer dimming control than typically found in this price range.
Things to consider before buying include the light’s maximum brightness (measured in lux), its colour temperature range (CCT – usually in Kelvin), the range of colours it can produce (RGB or full HSI), its Colour Rendering Index (CRI) for colour accuracy, battery life and charging options, size and weight, mounting options (cold shoe, 1/4″ thread), ease of use (display, controls), build quality, and of course, the price.
- 【Full Color RGB Video light】SmallRig P96L RGB Video Light 3489B is a portable camera light. RGB 0-360 ° full color, and color saturation adjustment, 2500-9000K color temperature control, dimmable...
- 【High Color Quality】SmallRig P96L photography light has a built-in 6w rechargeable battery, CRI 96+, LED camera light with built-in LCD display for accurate readings, allowing you to work more...
- 【High Color Quality】CRI 96+,with built-in OLED display for accurate readings, the P96L RGB light allows you to work more efficiently. The all-aluminum alloy body provides efficient heat...
Discover the SmallRig P96L
The SmallRig P96L RGB Video Light 3489B is a compact, all-metal LED panel designed to be a versatile lighting tool for photo and video production. Its core promise is to deliver flexible, high-quality lighting in a highly portable form factor. When you purchase it, you typically receive the light itself, a USB Type-C charging cable, and an instruction manual.
Compared to many generic, lower-cost LED panels on the market, the SmallRig P96L stands out with its solid aluminum alloy construction, higher claimed CRI (96+), a wider colour temperature range (2500K-9000K), full RGB colour capability, and a useful OLED display for precise control. While it may not have some advanced features found in much more expensive professional lights (like magnetic mounting or incredibly granular dimming at the very lowest levels), it offers a significant step up in build and feature set from basic plastic panels. It’s clearly aimed at content creators and hobbyists who need reliable performance and creative flexibility without breaking the bank.
This specific RGB video light is ideal for mounting on a camera, placing on a small tripod for interviews, using as an accent light, or for close-up work like product photography or macro shots. It’s less suited for lighting an entire room or a large scene as the primary light source.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality (full aluminum alloy body)
- Wide colour temperature range (2500K-9000K CCT)
- Full RGB 0-360° colour control and saturation adjustment
- Includes 21 built-in lighting effects for creative scenarios
- High CRI 96+ rating for accurate colour rendering
- Compact and lightweight (117g), highly portable
- Built-in rechargeable battery with decent runtime (up to 12 hours at minimum brightness)
- USB-C charging port allows use while charging
- Standard 1/4″ thread and cold shoe mount for versatile attachment
- OLED display provides clear and accurate settings information
Cons:
- Dimming at the very lowest 1% level might not be as smooth or dim as some higher-end lights
- Some users reported sharp edges on certain units (potentially a manufacturing variation)
- No built-in magnetic mounting
- 【100 High CRI95+ LED Beads & Soft Light Board】The VIJIM VL100C led video light adopts 100pcs High Quality Color Rendering Index 95+ beads and the Max Brightness up to 900Lm(2500K-6500K),lager...
- 【5000mAh Hightly Capacity Rechargeable Battery】Built-in 5000mAh rechargeable battery, USB Type-C charging port, supports to 180 minutes at maximum brightness, making it a hassle-free way of...
- 【Portable LED Video Light】The new version SmallRig P96 RGB Video Light adopts 96 high effective light beads, illumination angle up to 120°, the brightness can reach toppest CRI95 cab completely...
A Closer Look: Capabilities of the SmallRig P96L
Having used the SmallRig P96L RGB Video Light extensively in my own projects, I can attest to its capabilities beyond the spec sheet. It’s become a staple in my gear bag precisely because of how well its individual features work together in real-world scenarios.
Versatile Colour and Creative Effects
One of the standout features is the sheer range of colour control. The P96L offers both CCT (Correlated Colour Temperature) and HSI (Hue, Saturation, Intensity) modes, along with built-in effects. The CCT mode lets you dial in colour temperatures from a warm 2500K all the way up to a cool 9000K. This is incredibly useful for matching existing ambient light sources, whether it’s warm indoor lighting or cooler daylight from a window. Being able to perfectly match or deliberately contrast temperatures gives you significant control over the mood of your shot.
The HSI mode unlocks full RGB colour control. You can select any hue from 0 to 360 degrees, adjust its saturation, and control the intensity (brightness). This is where the creative fun really begins. Need a splash of vibrant red for a dramatic effect? Easy. Want a soft blue accent light? Just dial it in. This versatility is fantastic for product photography, adding mood to narrative scenes, or creating dynamic backgrounds for vlogs or streams. Being able to simply punch in the exact colour you want on the OLED display is a huge time-saver compared to fiddling with gels.
On top of that, the 21 built-in lighting effects are more than just gimmicks; they can be genuine production tools. Effects like Police Car, Fire, Lightning, TV Screen, or Party can add a layer of realism or dynamic energy to a scene without needing complex setups. While you won’t use them every day, they’re brilliant to have instantly accessible for specific creative needs. For example, simulating emergency lights flashing outside a window is quick and effective with this tiny panel.
Impressive Brightness and Accurate Colour Reproduction
Don’t let the compact size fool you; the 6W output of this photography light is surprisingly powerful for its size. At close distances, it can serve as a perfectly adequate key light for interviews or product shots. The brightness is adjustable from 0% to 100%, allowing for fine-tuning. While one user noted that the 1% level isn’t quite as dim as some high-end competitors, the overall dimming range is more than sufficient for most common applications, letting you go from a subtle fill light to a punchy accent.
More critically, the CRI rating of 96+ is excellent for a light in this category. CRI (Colour Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source renders the colours of objects compared to natural light. A high CRI means that the colours you capture in your photos or videos will look true to life, which is vital for professional-looking results, especially for skin tones and product colours. You can trust that the colours you see with the RGB video light will be faithfully represented in your final output, reducing the need for extensive colour correction in post-production.
Robust Metal Build and User-Friendly Display
One of the first things you notice about the P96L is its build quality. The all-aluminum alloy body feels premium and substantial in your hand, definitely a step up from plastic alternatives. This metal construction isn’t just about durability; it’s also essential for heat dissipation. LED lights generate heat, and an efficient body helps manage this, contributing to the light’s longevity and preventing performance throttling during longer shoots.
The built-in OLED display is another key feature that makes this light a joy to use. It’s bright, clear, and provides all the essential information at a glance: current mode (CCT, HSI, Effect), colour temperature or hue/saturation values, brightness percentage, and remaining battery life. The controls are intuitive, allowing you to quickly navigate between modes and adjust parameters with ease. This accurate, easily readable display eliminates guesswork and allows for precise replication of settings between shoots.
Long-Lasting Power and Convenient Charging
Portability means having reliable power without being tethered to an outlet. The P96L has a built-in 6W rechargeable lithium battery. While the maximum brightness runtime is listed as around 1 hour, which is standard for such a bright, compact light at full power, the runtime significantly increases as you dim the light. At minimal brightness (useful for subtle fill or accent), it can last up to 12 hours. This flexibility in battery life depending on usage is a major advantage for longer shooting days where maximum brightness isn’t always needed.
The inclusion of a USB Type-C charging port is highly convenient. It’s the modern standard, meaning you likely already have compatible cables and chargers. Crucially, you can also use the portable LED light while it’s plugged in and charging. This solves the problem of a dead battery mid-shoot – just plug it into a power bank or wall adapter and keep working. This feature alone adds significant value for unpredictable shooting schedules.
Pocket-Sized Portability and Flexible Mounting
At just 108x60x11mm and weighing a mere 117g, the SmallRig P96L is incredibly portable. It truly is pocket-sized, easily slipping into a camera bag, a jacket pocket, or even your pants pocket without weighing you down. This means you’re far more likely to have it with you when you need it, unlike bulkier lighting solutions.
Despite its tiny size, it boasts standard mounting options that make it highly versatile. The bottom features a standard 1/4″ screw thread, which is compatible with virtually all tripods, light stands, magic arms, and camera cages. It also comes with a cold shoe adapter, allowing you to easily mount it directly onto most cameras or camera rigs. This flexibility in mounting means the light can be placed exactly where you need it, whether it’s on top of your camera, off to the side on a mini tripod, or tucked away discreetly in the scene as a practical light or accent. It can even stand on its side or end on a flat surface in a pinch.
What Fellow Creators Are Saying
After scouring various platforms for feedback from other users, the sentiment around the SmallRig P96L is overwhelmingly positive, echoing many of my own experiences. People consistently praise its surprising brightness for its compact size and the excellent build quality, noting that it feels robust and well-made. Many highlight the extensive range of colours and built-in effects as a major plus for adding creative flair to their photos and videos. The portability is frequently mentioned as a key advantage, making it a must-have item to keep in their camera bag at all times. While a couple of users mentioned minor issues like sharp edges on one specific unit or that the 1% dimming isn’t the lowest possible, and one reported an issue with the screen, the general consensus is that it’s a fantastic value-for-money purchase that exceeds expectations for its price point.
Making the Right Lighting Choice
Ultimately, the struggle with poor or inflexible lighting can seriously limit the quality and creativity of your visual content. Flat, boring light or distracting shadows detract from your message and make your work look less professional. Having a reliable, versatile lighting tool is essential to elevate your production value and give you creative control.
The SmallRig P96L RGB Video Light is a compelling option for solving this problem. Its impressive colour and effects capabilities open up numerous creative possibilities, its solid metal build and high CRI ensure quality and durability, and its unmatched portability means you can bring great light wherever you go. For creators looking for a powerful, flexible, and budget-friendly photo and video lighting solution that punches well above its weight, the P96L is definitely worth considering. Ready to upgrade your lighting setup? Click here to check it out .ca.
Last update on 2025-06-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API