Comparing our LECO and VNIX Range LED Studio Panels

When it comes to choosing the best LED Studio Panel available, you need to make sure that you have all the right information available to help you decide. Here at PiXAPRO, we have four different LED Studio Panels in our LECO and VNIX Range, the LECO500S/B, LECO1000B, VNIX1000S/B and VNIX1500S/B. In this blog we will take a look at the specifications and information behind each panel to help you choose the right on for you.

Before we begin, whilst it looks like there are only four options available, there are actually seven different panels. The LECO500, VNIX1000 and VNIX1500 offer two different designs, with the S versions being Daylight Balanced only and the B versions being Bi-Colour (both Tungsten and Daylight Balanced lighting). The LECO1000B is only available in Bi-Colour, meaning that only one version of this panel is available. Whilst the Daylight Balanced and Bi-Colour versions do share most of the same specifications, they do differ in places, which we will look at during this blog.

Power

Each of the panels offer their own unique power output. The most powerful panel between the ranges is the LECO1000B, with a power output of 100W. As this is the only version of this panel, this is the only power output for it, whereas the other versions do slightly differ. Bi-Colour LED lighting usually splits the power output of the panels, 50% to Daylight and 50% to Tungsten lighting, so you wouldn’t get the 100% power output for each individual option. The VNIX1500 is next on the list as the 1500S version offers a power output of 90W, meaning that the 1500B version offers 45W for each lighting. Third, we have the VNIX1000 with the 1000S having a maximum power output of 64W, making the 1000B offer 32W between each lighting style. The weakest of the panels is the LECO500, which has a maximum power output of 36W for the 500S and a 18W for the 500B. So, if you are looking for a powerful light, the LECO1000B would be the option to choose.

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Left: LECO500S

Right: LECO500B

Accuracy

Whilst having a powerful light is important, making sure that the subject of your shoot is accurate represented is just as important. One way of accurately representing your subject is to make sure that the colours are clear and vibrant. Even though they are all different designs, each panel shares the same Colour Temperature. The LECO1000B offers a Colour Temperature ranging from 3200K (Bi-Colour) up to 5600K (Daylight), which is the same as the Bi-Colour versions of each other panels (LECO500B, VNIX1000B & VNIX1500B). The LECO500S, VNIX1000S & VNIX1500S all offer a Colour Temperature of 5600K (Daylight). With these measurements, the colours in your subject as well as the surrounding areas will be vibrant and noticeable, helping your end product stand out against other options. The CRI measurements for these panels also helps to back this up, with the LECO1000B, VNIX1000S/B and VNIX1500S/B all offer a CRI of ≥95. The LECO500S/B offers a slightly better CRI of 96, but any of these panels would still offer a professional and high-quality result.

Control

When using LED Studio Panels, you need to be able to control your panels with ease to make your shoots much easier and run without issue. Each panel can be dimmed in power from 100% all the way down to 10%, meaning that you are free to adjust your lighting to suit the requirements of each and every shoot you use these on. Each panel also comes with its own purposely built remote control, letting you adjust and control the panel with having to manual do this. Each remote works on a 2.4GHz radio frequency and has a range of approximately 50m, allowing incredible freedom between you and the panel being used, perfect if you find yourself on a busy shoot away from your lights frequently. Each remote control can also allow for 99 different channels, meaning you are able to control up to 99 different units with the same remote control.

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Left: VNIX1000S

Right: VNIX1000B

Portability

Whilst these LED Panel are mainly designed to be used in a Studio, being able to use these on location is a huge benefit. Each panel comes with its own power cable, allowing it to be used with mains power, but they all can also be used with battery power. The LECO1000B, VNIX1500S/B and VNIX1000S/B all come with a built-in V-Mount Battery Plate, allowing each panel to be used with a V-Lock Battery and run on battery power for an extended period of time without issue. The LECO500S/B are also able to be used with battery power, but these panels feature 2x Built-in Sony NP-f battery plates, meaning that you are able to attach 2x Sony NP-F Series batteries (we recommend either the NP-F750 or NP-F970 batteries) to this unit. The ability to use these panels on battery power allows you to broaden your options with your shoots, as you are no longer contained to a studio and are free to travel where ever you wish.

Design

Professional build quality and top range design is massively important, as you want your LED Panel to be usable for many years to come without issue. Each panel features a LED output, but these differ between panels due to their individual designs and features. The LECO500S/B both features 600 premium quality LED Bulbs, allowing them to produce a bright lighting. The VNIX1000S/B also use LED Bulbs, but this use 1040 different bulbs compared to the 600 offered with the LECO500S/B, to help with the higher maximum power output with this unit. The VNIX1500 also uses the same LED Bulbs, but as this offers even more power output, it features an impressive 1520 bulbs, to help produce the accurate and highest quality lighting. The LECO1000B is slightly different when it comes to the LED design, as rather than using Bulbs, it features 900 SMD LED chips which will still help to produce a super bright lighting, but will now offer a slight diffusion also. Whether it be LED bulbs or chips, whichever LED Panel you choose to use, you will have the highest quality lighting possible from each unit.

With difference in the amount of bulbs/chips, as well as the general design differences between each panel, they all also offer different dimensions. The LECO500S/B are the smallest panels, with dimensions of 242mm x 191mm x 42mm, making these the most portable and compact panel available across these ranges. Next is the VNIX1000B/S, which both measure at 330mm x 210mm x 48.5mm, still making it easy to store and transport. The LECO1000B is next, with dimensions of 300mm x 300mm x 46mm, with the VNIX1500S/B being the largest available LED Panel at 330mm x 330mm x 48.5mm.  Even though these are noticeable larger than the LECO500S/B Panels, they each come with an included carry case, meaning that they are still very easy to transport between different locations as well as store when not in use.

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Left: VNIX1500S

Right: VNIX1500B

Extra

There are a few extra things to look at before making a decision of which light is the best for you. One of the main things potential customers will look at when decided what light to purchase is the price. The prices of the different panels match up with the differences in maximum power output. The LECO500 is the cheapest, with a price of only £159.99 for both the Daylight and Bi-Colour version. Next is the VNIX1000, with both the Daylight and Bi-Colour versions available for £209.00. The VNIX1500 is next on the list, with a price tag of £299.99 for both the Daylight and Bi-Colour versions. Finally, the LECO1000B is the most expensive available light in this range, with a price of £349.99.

One thing each light does share is the fact they are all covered under the PiXAPRO warranty scheme. Each LED Studio Panel comes with a two-year UK Warranty, meaning that if anything was to happen to your light during this time, you would be able to contact PiXAPRO and we would be able to look into the best possible resolution for you. This helps to give peace of mind, as we all drop things and can have clumsy moments, so it’s nice to have the support if something did go wrong.

LECO1000B

Conclusion

Having looked through the specifications of each light panel, its easy to see that whilst they do share quite a few things, each of them does have their own positives to them. But no matter what LED studio panel you do decide to choose, you will have a high-quality and professional lighting every time.