New to Neewer: We Review the Neewer Z2 Pro Speedlight

Neewer has released a new contender in their Z series lighting: the Z2 Pro Round Head Flash. Being new to Neewer lighting, once the Nikon-compatible version was released, I grasped the opportunity to put this through its paces in an energetic portrait shoot. Could this be the quality-on-a-budget speedlight I have been looking for?

Normally, when planning a studio session, I have traditional studio strobes on my mind because that’s what I’ve used for years, as is industry standard. Back in the days before I had a fully stocked studio space to use, I relied on speedlights to get the results I needed. As a Nikon shooter, I’ve always tried to stick with Nikon accessories, starting with their reliable but clunky-to-use Nikon SB-900 Speedlight way back in 2009. Recently, I have been broadening my horizons beyond the industry-standard options when it comes to lighting and accessories and have branched out beyond the high-end brands to use a range of different studio lighting options, including COB LED lights, so the timing was right to see what's new in the world of speedlights. Neewer’s reputation for affordable yet versatile speedlights and wireless systems has caught my attention, offering compatibility with my Nikon system while opening up new creative possibilities for studio and on-location shoots.

The Neewer Z2 Pro: A Serious Upgrade

I am completely new to Neewer lighting, and so this review stands as my overall introduction to the brand. Upon reading the specs, I had high expectations for the Z2 Pro, which is hailed as a significant improvement over the existing Z2 model. The Z2Pro offers key upgrades over the standard Neewer Z2, including an advanced cooling system for up to 100 continuous full-power flashes, a brighter and more intuitive UI with faster TTL-to-manual switching, and a durable quartz tube flash head rated for 100,000 flashes.

The Neewer Z2 Pro TTL Round Head Flash Speedlite delivers a robust 76 Ws output with a 5600K color temperature, supporting TTL and manual modes (1/1–1/256), 1/8000 s high-speed sync, and a 1.5 s recycling time. Powered by a 7.2 V/3000 mAh lithium battery, it provides up to 600 full-power flashes, charging in 2.5 hours via USB Type-C. Its circular Fresnel head offers 28–105mm coverage, 330° swivel, and a -7° to 120° tilt. The built-in 2.4G Q system supports 4 control groups, 32 channels, and a 328'/100 m range. It includes dual modeling lamps with 10 brightness levels and remains cool for 100 continuous flashes, which makes it a versatile option for a range of photography needs.

Quality Performance in Any Space

The benefits of using speedlights over standard studio strobes are many. The small, lightweight, and portable nature of these compact flash units means you can set up almost anywhere without being restricted to a power source. They can be used on the move, making them truly versatile performers. When you don't have to consider power sources, you can choose locations that work for a wider range of factors.

The timing of this test couldn’t have been better, as my daughter had just asked me for a new set of images for her social media channels ahead of an upcoming single release. We set up a "studio" while visiting my parents to ensure I had the time to meet all of my family commitments that day.

As you can see, the space I am shooting in is far from ideal; however, that doesn't matter so much when reliable speedlights are involved. I first set up with the Neewer Z2 Pro to the right of the camera as a sole light source to get some moody and dramatic shots, which turned out really well. My daughter is great with styling, and so when she couldn't decide what to wear on her bottom half, she decided to make a quirky skirt with sleeves out of a faux fur jacket.

Combining the Neewer Z2 Pro With Other Lights

I like to shoot with more than one light, and so after using the Z2 Pro as a standalone light to get this vibrant, rebellious shot, I paired it with another Neewer light which came highly recommended: the Neewer Q200 Outdoor Strobe. This light is larger with a higher power output at 200 watts and is solely intended for off-camera use on location.

The Neewer QPRO-N TTL Wireless Trigger synced the Z2 Pro with the Q200 strobe, allowing each to perform in their own group and channel for independent power levels, with the Z2 Pro acting as my key light and the Q200 illuminating the background and filling the shadows on my subject. Adjustments to power and settings across both units were straightforward, allowing me to maintain focus on the creative aspects of the shoot rather than technical adjustments.

The Z2 Pro, positioned to the right of the camera, combined with the Neewer Q200 to the left of my daughter, delivered exactly what I needed in terms of light output. I modified both lights by adding a dome diffuser from Neewer’s CRM3 Magnetic Round Head Accessory Kit, which works with both round and square head Neewer speedlights. This allowed me to further shape the light in line with my requirements.

The Z2 Pro delivered consistent exposures, while the QPRO-N TTL Wireless Trigger enabled quick manual adjustments to fine-tune the lighting. The Q200 Outdoor Strobe Flash, as its name suggests, proved to be a portable and valuable complement to the Z2 Pro in illuminating the space, while the punch of the Z2 Pro gave me the power I needed for my key light. Together, they allowed for professional-grade results in a confined space, demonstrating that high-quality lighting doesn’t require large or bulky equipment.

Hands-On Performance

This title should really read as "Hands-Off Performance," because I rarely had to take my mind off directing the shoot, thanks to the intuitive interface on the Z2 Pro and control ability through the trigger. Furthermore, the ability to charge the unit while shooting adds further convenience should you need it, ensuring continuous operation for extended shooting scenarios, such as events or weddings.

Other than the obvious benefit of portability, speedlights are much lighter and smaller, making loading, setting up, and breaking down much less strenuous. Not every photographer is blessed with endless strength and endurance, and setting up for a shoot can be a surprisingly exhausting experience when you are taking equipment to a secondary location. This could open further opportunities to lighten the load, such as more lightweight and portable light stands.

One point to note—and it stands as the only negative I can find for the Neewer Z2 Pro—is that the battery will deplete when the unit is switched off if you don't remove it. There were two bars of battery once I finished my shoot; however, I wanted to shoot some still life images the next morning and found the battery was in need of charging. Yes, I know, you are not supposed to leave a battery in your camera or other battery-powered accessories, but they usually don’t continue to power down at a fast rate while switched off. It's not a huge minus—just remove the battery like you're supposed to when packing away—but worth mentioning for anyone who goes on to buy this speedlight based on this review.

Conclusion

While the studio shoot showcased the Z2 Pro’s strengths, I am eager to explore its performance in an upcoming outdoor shoot, which I will write about in due course. The portability of the Z2 Pro combined with the QPRO trigger’s reliable wireless connectivity, makes this setup well-suited for location work. The Neewer Z2 Pro, QPRO TTL Wireless Trigger, and Q200 Outdoor Strobe proved to be an exceptional combination for my needs during this shoot. I mostly appreciated the quality and consistency of the output, the long-lasting battery, and faultless integration with the trigger system, making this a standout choice for photographers seeking versatility and control. The Z2 Pro enabled the creation of striking, high-contrast portraits that effectively supported our artistic vision for this shoot. The Z2 Pro has earned its place as a reliable and powerful tool in my lighting kit, becoming my new on-the-go lighting.