Product Description

Designed for automatic operation only, the 220EX flash unit excels at providing natural-looking balanced flash exposures. When attached to the advanced cameras, such as EOS IX, EOS Elan II/Elan IIe, or EOS Rebel G, the 220EX delivers the benefits of the Canon's superior technology. These include Canon's unique E-TTL evaluative pre-stored flash exposure control system, FE Lock for a new dimension of creative control and FP Flash (high-speed sync) for flash photography up to maximum shutter speed. When used with other cameras, it operates as a TTL autoflash (off-the-film flash metering).When in E-TTL operation, flash exposure is measured and controlled by the camera in combination with Canon's AIM system. Subject position, ambient light level, evaluative metering and pre-flash data are instantly analyzed, including heavy backlighting or reflections from background windows or mirrors.

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 2262A006AA
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 2.70" h x 3.40" w x 4.70" l, 1.60 pounds

Features

• Recycle time is 0.1 to 4.5 seconds
• Flash range is 2.3 to 63 feet
• Flash capacity is 250 to 1,700
• E-TTL operation helps ensure quality pictures
• Powered by AA batteries

Amazon.com Product Description
Featuring a recycle time of 0.1 to 4.5 seconds, the Canon Speedlite 220EX is a fully automatic flash, compatible with all Canon EOS cameras. The 220EX can also utilize E-TTL operation when paired with the Canon EOS IX, EOS ELAN II/IIE, and EOS Rebel G. Sporting a save-energy feature, whereby the flash is shut down after 90 seconds of idle, the 220EX is powered by four AA batteries, and has a flash capacity between 250 and 1,700. The convenience and ease of use ensure the 220EX a place in the hands of amateur photographers who want a high-quality flash, but aren't interested in learning to use the professional features of Canon's other offerings.

Customer Reviews

Small flash, deigned for Canon E-TTL cameras
I purchased this flash to use with my Canon G1 digital camera. When using the latest Canon camera lines there is a huge benefit in going with the Canon "EX" flashes, as they deliver E-TTL metering. Without boring you, the essence of this is that when you press the shutter button the flash is momentarily fired so the camera can measure the actual light and determine the best exposure, and then it fires the flash again and takes the actual picture (all in a fraction of a second). Sorry, if you don't have a Canon camera, you don't get E-TTL.

Why is this important? Because it is measuring the real light and not estimating what might be needed or trying to turn off the flash while it takes the picture when it thinks enough light has been delivered. Its complicated, but trust me you're pictures will be a lot better.

Now the 220EX model is Canon's smallest and lightest. You can opt for other Canon models (380EX is discontinued, 420 EX, 550EX), and you'll get higher light output (so you can use flash from more than 100 feet away), and swivel/tilt so you can bounce flash - but at the added cost of larger size, more weight, and more cost.

The 220EX also provides a long battery life (check out Amazon's price on Kodak photolife batteries) - I seem to get well more than 300 shots per set of AAs. And it also manages power by shutting down the flash after inactivity.

The 220EX makes sense for any smaller Canon camera, or even a larger one where the photographer is less likely to use flash form more than 70 feet away or use bounce flash capability. If that sounds like you, then buy this flash. Its a winner.

Compact, powerful, and a perfect complement to the G1
Having just purchased a Canon PowerShot G1 digital camera a few weeks ago, I felt the built-in flash to be of OK performance, but it was far from what I was used to using with some of my older SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras.

After reading the review here on the 220EX, I decided to go for it. I have seen the other EX offerings, and they are really big flash units. Since the G1 is pretty compact, I figured the 220EX would be the best fit. And after having used it for a while, I know I made the best choice. With 4 AA batteries in the flash, it's pretty heavy (especially in addition to the already somewhat heavy G1). Throw on your lens(es) of choice, and you have a camera of substantial size and weight.

But getting back to the flash, it's so user-friendly that you'll be taking great pictures in minutes. The real light metering works wonders, even in conditions where the subject you're taking a picture of is in complete darkness. I was really happy with how well this flash lit up rooms, evenly and naturally.

This flash is a great value, and comes highly recommended, as is the camera that I bought it for, the PowerShot G1.

Good partner for a G6
I bought my G6 in December, borrowed a Canon 420 EX speedlite and liked the results but I wondered if the smaller, lighter, less expensive 220 EX would be good enough? Some of the reviews here say it is underpowered. Is it? I bought one to find out and took both out into my backyard in 8 PM darkness to try them at 5 feet, 10 feet, 20 feet and 40 feet on the G6.

Conclusion #1: The G6 has a good builtin flash. It makes good images within it's limited range of 5 meters/16 feet (or 4 meters/13 feet when the lens is set to telephoto) and works well as a fill flash. Complete failure beyond 20 feet.

Conclusion #2: The 420EX (range 24.2 meters) and the 220EX (range 15.7 meters/51.5 feet) both make better images than the builtin flash and both offer longer range. But both are limited by the autofocus range of 5 to 7 meters. That's right, neither flash can focus on a subject more than 20 feet away in darkness with the lens set to telephoto. Both worked fine when the lens was set to wide angle at 40 feet.

Final Conclusion: I'm keeping the 220 EX. The G6 is small and light, so is the 220EX. They make a good team, but the G6 also does well alone up close.