Canon Speedlite EL-5, Portable Camera Flash, Compatible with Select EOS R Series Mirrorless Cameras

Update: Canon had a recall (called service advisory or something like that) which fixed the issue. I sent my flash and canon replaced the battery box and now the flash keeps charge as you’d expect. So, get your flash fixed too. Worth it!Excellent flash if the battery retains charge. Bought one but the battery in that flash drained to unusable level in a day. Returned that and reordered. The new one is fine. Even after taking about 50 pics in darkness and leaving the battery in the flash, it still shows 85% after 5 days. So, if you experience battery issues, get a different piece.Will only work with the newest cameras due to the new interface. Also, need a good diffuser, none available now.

I'm not a professional photographer but I wanted something in that range because it works incredibly well. I've spent some time in learning how to use it but honestly it stays on ETTL (Auto) more than anything. Paired with my Canon R6 Mark II it's churching out some beautiful photos.I don't know what they're communicating to each other but considering I shoot primarily in Aperture or Shutter Priority, and it adjusts perfectly to the setting and my in-camera settings each time without delay is mind blowing. My pictures come out GOOD with very little effort.

I'dgive negative star if I can.I am absolutely livid about this purchase, and you should be warned before falling into the same trap. In December 2024, I bought a Canon EL-5 from Amazon, sold by the utterly deplorable Focus Camera LLC, and it has been a complete disaster from the moment I started using it. Imagine my rage when I discovered that the battery drains at an insane rate—completely dead in 2 days—even when the device is switched off. At first, I thought I’d somehow gotten a dud, but no, it’s far worse than that. A quick investigation revealed that Canon officially admitted this was a widespread product defect back in September 2024 and issued a recall. A RECALL! Let that sink in: this wasn’t some minor glitch; it’s a known, documented failure, and yet Amazon and Focus Camera LLC had the audacity to keep peddling this garbage months later like nothing was wrong.Fuming, I contacted Amazon customer service, expecting them to step up and make this right. What did I get instead? A pathetic, lazy brush-off: “Oh, just talk to the seller.” Are you kidding me? I paid Amazon for this, not some shady middleman! But fine, I swallowed my frustration and reached out to Focus Camera LLC. Their response? An infuriating game of pass-the-buck—they kicked me right back to Amazon, refusing to lift a finger to help. No refund, no replacement, no accountability—just a smug “not our problem” attitude. I’ve been bounced between these two clowns like a ping-pong ball, and neither has the decency to own up to this mess.This isn’t just bad service; it’s borderline criminal. Amazon, a multi-billion-dollar company, should be utterly humiliated for letting this defective junk stay listed on their site post-recall, preying on unsuspecting customers like me. And Focus Camera LLC? They’re a disgrace—an absolute bottom-feeder of a seller with zero integrity or competence.

The menu is so user friendly you don’t need to read the manual . Better build, and absolutely stronger then a Godox , also this mount is solid and water proof. and If I need to get support and fix a I can count on Canon repair department . I’m a 50 years veteran photographer I never liked any of the Canon flashes before but this one is a Winner.I can also use Magmod adapter with accessories no problem but it becomes a bit front heavy. I prefer using Wyng bounce device very light. Last the battery is absolutely powerful and recycle time really fastSo far I shot 3 corporate events and the battery was only down one line for for then 500 shots1/8 of power camera was set at 2500 ISO aperture 4.5 Canon lens 24/105 L F 4Hopefully this will help you make a final decision. This is no doubt a great flash very pleased.

I was super excited to get these flashes! I bought them to replace a pair of 600EX II RT flashes which I was controlling with my Canon EL-1's. I loved the fact that the new EL-5's had the updated LCD screens, and most importantly, they use the same LP-EL batteries from the EL-1's! However, the main issue I started having with them was connectivity with the EL-1's. Using them as 'receivers/slaves', they keep dropping and losing the radio signal randomly. When this happens, you have to turn them off and turn them back on to reconnect. This is fine for small shoots, but a pain if you have to run across an event hall during a wedding, or worse, while taking family pictures and they keep going down randomly.... very embarrassing!I've had MUCH better luck with the Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II flashes and these have never let me down once... Canon needs to revisit these, especially when the Multi-functional Hot Shoe isn't compatible with the EOS R5 bodies that I'm currently using.

I've owed several Canon and generic flashes over the years. The generics had horrible recharge speed and terrible control menus. The Canons had the horrible menus and a steep price. This solves much of that. The new proprietary battery is fantastic...even if I don't have a backup at the moment and a second will cost me. But what it does have is a great feeling of quality, menu improvement, control and the ability to fire it multiple times very quickly. It's not a perfect flash as I still think the menu system needs an overhaul but its very nice and I'm happy to take this with me vs. previous versions.

This flash looked amazing but I sadly realized that it didn’t work on my Canon R5 after I received it and tried it. It is not compatible with the R5. I don’t know how I missed that. I have returned it last week and waiting on my refund.