Skip to content

Canon Speedlite EL-5

by Canon
Original price $399.00
Original price $399.00 - Original price $399.00
Original price $399.00
Current price $299.00
$299.00 - $299.00
Current price $299.00
SKU 87078
Minimum quantity allowed is .
Maximum quantity allowed is .
The product can be bought in quantity increments of .

The Speedlite EL-5 is a newly designed flash that carries over many features from the flagship Speedlite EL-1 with some modern features all its own. For example, the EL-5 uses the same high-capacity LP-EL rechargeable battery. This upgrade alone gives the EL-5 the ability to perform better than any Canon AA-battery powered flash. With this new power, at full manual flash power, you get a recycle time of 1.2 seconds, and up to 350 flashes on a single battery charge. Since the EL-5 does not have an internal fan, all of that power is being used to recycle and fire the flash. Another feature brought over from the EL-1 is the joystick and selection dial so you can effortlessly operate this flash quickly, even while shooting. Additionally, the new Multi-function connector at the EL-5’s “foot” enables advanced communications on cameras equipped with a multi-function shoe.* You can adjust settings for your flash right on your camera touch LCD.

Important: because of the transition to Canon’s Multi-function accessory shoe, please be aware that Speedlite EL-5 cannot be mounted or used on Canon cameras with other accessory shoe designs.

Features:

  • Advanced Amateur flash with a new multi-function shoe connector for enhanced camera communication and functionality.
  • The Speedlite EL-5 borrows some of the best features of the flagship EL-1 flash, such as a lithium-ion rechargable battery and a modeling lamp.*
  • Utilizing the same high-speed charging circuits as the EL-1 and a lithium-ion battery, the EL-5 acheives a recharge time of 0.1 to 1.2 sec.**
  • Even though the EL-5 does not have a fan it is still has a continuous flash count of approx. 95 or more at full output. Great for situations where you always need to be ready.
  • Since the EL-5 does not need to use any power for a fan, all of that power can be used exclusively to charge and fire the flash. This increases the number of continuous flashes that the unit can emit to 350.***
  • Features the same joystick control and high-definition LCD as the EL-1.
  • This flash gets even more powerful when used with an EOS R-series camera. Assign flash functions to the control ring, utilize quick flash group control*, and set up multi-flash shooting.
  • Utilize the free Canon Connect smartphone app to change settings like flash intensity, flash compensation, sync settings, multi-flash control, and FEB remotely.
  • Dust and moisture resistance equivalent to the EOS R5.

 

A Performance Flash for Today’s Advanced Imagemaker
The Speedlite EL-5 receives some of the best features of the flagship Speedlite EL-1 flash to improve the agility, and versatility of the working imagemaker, or advanced photographer.  With the use of the Canon LP-EL rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, built-in Modeling light (LED), impressive flash output range, and in adopting updated user interface controls, and customization – the Speedlite EL-5 is the ideal tool to elevate your flash photography. 

High-Speed Charging and Reliable Exposures
The high-speed charging system of the Speedlite EL-5 is truly impressive and is designed to meet the creative needs of the advanced image maker. With the use of the LP-EL rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, recycle times are greatly reduced even when compared to a Speedlite 600EX II-RT using the CP-E4N battery pack.

With the ability to recharge in just 1.2 seconds during full power flash sequences in Normal flash mode, and recharging in approx. 0.1 seconds2 at minimum power in Normal flash mode – the Speedlite EL-5 is a high-performance flash that can deliver stable flash output even during high action situations. At full power, it can be fired up to 95 continuous times3 or more!

Battery Pack LP-EL is charged with the same Canon LC-E6 charger that’s used for the LP-E6-type batteries used in many EOS cameras.

Versatile Flash Output
Any tool will only be valuable, if there are opportunities to use it to its full potential, and with the Speedlite EL-5 whether shooting indoors or out, dark situations or bright, or with a close-up or far subject – it has numerous features to handle challenging situations with ease.

Whether you need the maximum flash output to capture a deep depth of field scene in a dark environment, or just a kiss of fill-light to reduce the shadows on the face of a subject – the Speedlite EL-5 has you covered with an extended flash output range of 1/1 to 1/1024th power (a three stop improvement compared to Speedlite 600EX-II RT – 1/1-1/128th), with full 1/1 manual power emitting a guide number of 60m/169.9ft @200mm (at approx. ISO 100). Working with a variety of lenses is also easy, as the Auto zoom functionality allows flash coverage from 24-200mm. The additional 14mm wide panel can also be used for wider-angle flash coverage when working beyond 24mm. With a higher-precision flash output the Speedlite EL-5 will be a trusted companion for creative flash situations.

Multi-Function Shoe Connection
The new digital connector at the bottom of the Speedlite EL-5’s Multi-function shoe “foot” allows for greater flash to camera communication.  In the case of the EL-5 you get superior coordination between the camera and the flash unit compared to previous Canon Speedlites, including the “Menu direct” function, Customize button function, and Custom flash modes. Gold-plated terminals in the shoe improve connection quality, and the installation status is checked before starting communications, to ensure reliable connection to cameras such as the Canon EOS R3, R7, R10, and R6 Mark II.

Custom Flash Modes C1, C2, C3
Changing flash modes and settings on the fly in high-stress situations can be extremely challenging – and with the addition of Custom Flash modes, the ability to instantly switch between registered setting including E-TTL auto flash to Manual flash and individual values is now possible.  This is extremely helpful in situations where ambient light changes frequently (Ex. shooting a bride and groom kissing on the alter, then switching exposure to a backlit scene as they walk out of the church.)   This is also highly desirable when your priority for lighting changes from lighting a scene, to lighting only a face.  This versatility can also link C1, C2, and C3 at the flash to C1, C2, and C3 at the camera on compatible cameras – allowing the recall of flash settings registered in Speedlite EL-5 using the camera’s shooting mode.  By registering the flash settings in-advance the flash mode is directly switched using the camera’s shooting mode setting.

Intuitive UI Design
Speedlite EL-5 sports a modern and refined look, featuring the same joystick, Select dial and LCD panel as the flagship Speedlite EL-1 – creating an intuitive user interface, that enables quick adjustments while shooting. With Camera-linked functions available through use of the “Speedlite menu direct button” in compatible EOS R-series camera’s “Customize Buttons” menu, the use of the joystick can easily display “Flash function settings” or even “Quick flash group control” screens on the camera LCD screen for access to quick adjustments. Additionally, with the high visibility LCD panel on the Speedlite EL-5, it’s easy to check settings, and even available battery during high action situations.

Modeling Lamp
Previewing the effect of a flash has become easier with the addition of a built-in LED Modeling lamp. Brightness level can be set at five different levels, and can be controlled either by the dedicated button, or by pressing the shutter twice. Additionally, off-camera Speedlite EL-5 Receiver unit’s modeling lamps can now be activated and deactivated from a Sender Speedlite EL-5 to check its flash effect when using multiple Speedlites. Whether using the lamp for checking where your shadows will fall on a subject, or to aid AF-assist this LED light is incredibly helpful. 

Expanded App Controls

Canon’s Camera Connect smartphone app allows users to control the wireless flash settings, shutter release, and check photo results. The user can operate and configure these settings from a smartphone without touching the camera or flash unit(s). This is particularly useful for multi-flash shooting, shooting with flash unit(s) placed in hard-to-reach spots, and shooting with a limited number of assistants. The user can choose the placement and direction of each flash unit, and then use the app to adjust the light intensity while checking the shooting results on the smartphone screen. 

Dust and Moisture Resistance
In addition to the new rubber seal around the shoe locking mechanism, the EL-5 achieves dust and moisture-resistant performance equivalent to that of EOS R5. To ensure airtightness, sealing is applied to the joints of the exterior cover. Even when shooting under difficult conditions, dust and moisture is prevented from penetrating the unit body.

Glazer's SKU 87078
Manufacturer Canon
MFG SKU 5654C002
Product Specs
Compatible CamerasEOS cameras equipped with a Multi-purpose Shoe
Flash Coverage (Focal length; for 35mm full-frame)14mmWide Panel: Manual
* Not compatible with EF15mm f/2.8 Fisheye or EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM shooting angles of view
24mm
28mm
35mm
50mm
70mm
80mm
105mm
135mm
200mm
• A: Auto
Flash coverage is set automatically, accounting for [Auto zoom for sensor size] and [Light distribution] settings at the lens focal length.
• M: Manual
Flash coverage is set manually
[Auto zoom for sensor size] and [Light distribution] settings are not taken into account.
Guide Number• The Guide No. is approximately 48.6 ft./14m at ISO 100.
- When the extendable wide panel is pulled out, the flash coverage is 14mm.
• The maximum Guide No. is approximately 196.9 ft./60m at ISO 100 and 200mm flash coverage.
- When the extendable wide panel is pulled out, the flash coverage is 14mm.
Maximum Energy76Ws

 

Flash Modes (Exposure Control Modes)Flash ModeFlash Exposure
Compensation
FEBFE LockWireless/Radio Transmission
 E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash*¹yesyesyesyes
 Manual Flash   yes
 Stroboscopic Flash   yes
 Group Firing*2YesYesYes*3Yes
 * 1: Set automatically when the camera shooting mode is set to Basic Zone modes.
* 2: Can only be set when the Speedlite is used as a sender in radio transmission wireless operation.
* 3: Only groups set to E-TTL II / E-TTL autoflash.

 

Flash Exposure Compensation±3 stops, in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop*1 increments.
* The Speedlite's flash exposure compensation takes precedence if flash exposure compensation is performed by both the Speedlite and the camera. Users who prefer to enable flash exposure compensation by the camera should set flash exposure compensation by the Speedlite to 0.
* 1: Corresponds to exposure level increments on the camera.
FEB±3 stops, in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop*¹ increments.
* FEB is automatically deactivated after three shots.
* Can be used with flash exposure compensation and FE lock.
* 1: Corresponds to exposure level increments on the camera.
FE LockSupported
FE MemorySupported
• Stores the flash output of E-TTL II / E-TTL autoflash and automatically sets the stored output level if users switch the flash mode to manual flash.
* Flash output may vary slightly between E-TTL autoflash and manual flash.

• Colors may vary between E-TTL autoflash and manual flash under the following conditions:
* When the color temperature of the Speedlite light differs greatly from that of ambient lighting and flash exposure compensation is set toward the negative end.
* When E-TTL balance is set to [Ambience priority].

• Differences in colors between E-TTL autoflash and manual flash may be reduced by taking one of the follow steps:
* Using the provided color filter.
* Setting white balance to an option other than AWB.
Number of Flashes

Approx. 350–2,450 flashes.
* With a fully charged Battery Pack LP-EL.
* Based on Canon Testing Standards.

 

Flash Range

Effective flash range with EF 50mm f/1.4 lens at ISO 100 [Light distibution: Standard]
 

  1. Normal Flash: Approx. 1.6–100.1 ft./0.5–30.5m
  2. Quick Flash (Flash-ready lamp: blinking): Approx. 1.6–61.0 ft./0.5–18.6m
  3. High-speed Sync (at 1/250 sec. shutter speed): Approx. 1.6–44.9 ft./0.5–13.7m
AF Assist BeamSystem:
LED AF-assist beam

Compatible AF System:-
Dual Pixel CMOS AF
Light emitted: Visible Light (white LEDs) Effective Range (Approx.):
At center: 2.0–32.8 ft./0.6–10.0m