Speedlite EL-5 Overview

The Speedlite EL-5 is a newly designed flash that receives many features from the flagship Speedlite EL-1 while also including modern features all its own. Two popular features found in the EL-5 are the modeling lamp and the use of the high-capacity LP-EL rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. The modeling lamp aids the photographer in seeing the effect of the flash’s light emission, including providing an idea of how shadows will fall on a subject. With this battery pack, and firing at full 1/1 manual flash power, the Speedlite EL-5 emits a guide number of 60m/169.9ft @ 200mm (at approx. ISO 100) with the ability to recycle to full power in just 1.2 seconds, and with the potential for up to 350 full power flashes being possible on a single battery charge. To improve working with the Speedlite EL-5 the joystick and select dial from the EL-1 are featured making operation easy, so adjustments can be made quickly, while shooting. Additionally, the new Multi-function connector at the EL-5’s “foot” enables advanced communication on multi-function shoe equipped cameras¹ providing more customization and control to be shared between the flash and camera.

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.

MSRP: $449.99

Item Code: 5654C002

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Speedlite EL-5 Features

Learn more about the features of the Speedlite EL-5

Speedlite EL-5

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Modeling Lamp

Previewing the effect of a flash has become easier with the addition of a built-in LED Modelling 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.

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.

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.

Specifications

See complete specifications for the Speedlite EL-5

Speedlite EL-5

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Flash

Compatible Cameras	EOS cameras equipped with a Multi-purpose Shoe
Maximum Energy	76 Ws
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
Flash Exposure Compensation	±3 stops, in 1/3-stop or 1/2-stop1 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-stop¹ 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 Lock	Supported
FE Memory	Supported • 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] Normal Flash: Approx. 1.6–100.1 ft./0.5–30.5m Quick Flash (Flash-ready lamp: blinking): Approx. 1.6–61.0 ft./0.5–18.6m High-speed Sync (at 1/250 sec. shutter speed): Approx. 1.6–44.9 ft./0.5–13.7m
AF Assist Beam	System: 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

Wireless Functions for Radio Transmission

Group firing details	Enables separate configuration of flash firing control conditions 1-3 below for each groups (A, B, C, D, E), to combine multiple methods of flash firing control. E-TTL II / E-TTL autoflash Manual flash Auto external flash metering For all flash output set for groups A-E above, the same flash exposure compensation can be set. * Flash exposure compensation ±3 stops
Test flash	Available (Sender/Receiver)
Modeling flash	Not available
Modeling lamp	Available (Sender only)
Remote control from a receiver	Functions on sender units that can be controlled remotely from receiver units: • Remote release • Test flash • Modeling flash1,2 Sub-senders cannot be controlled remotely *1. Modeling flash is available with R6 Mark II serving as a receiver used both with other Speedlites featuring sender functionality and with cameras supporting modeling flash that are equipped with a conventional accessory shoe, such as the EOS-1D X Mark III. 2. In the arrangement described above, modeling flash can be activated from the camera (DOF preview button)

Information Display

Type	Reflective memory LCD (normally black)

General

Power Source

Battery Pack LP-EL
* AA/LR6 Alkaline Batteries and Ni-MH batteries cannot be used.

Battery Charger

Battery Charger LC-E6 /LC-E6E
Car Battery Charger CBC-E6

External Power Source

Not Supported

Currently supported cameras include the EOS R3, R6 MKII, R7, and R10, and each will require a firmware update to be released in Spring of 2023. Based on Canon’s measurement standards, when using a new, fully charged LP-EL battery.