Customer reviews from usa.canon.com
270EX Speedlite External Flash for Select Canon DSLR Cameras
Average customer rating
4.4
(14 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 14 reviews
5 Stars
8
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
93%of customers recommend this product.
(
13 out of
14)
Customer Reviews for 270EX Speedlite External Flash for Select Canon DSLR Cameras
Customer Rating
5
good power in small size
on November 16, 2009
Posted by: JWPC
from Houston, TX
I love using this flash with my 5Dmk2 for indoor parties, fill flash outside, etc. Using rechargeable AAs provide a fast recycle time for almost any shooting condition. I like the menu-driven controls (especially the second-curtain sync ability), the tilt-zoom head and its size. Now it's a no-brainer to carry a flash wherever I go-- small enough to put in a shirt or coat pocket and whip out when necessary. Sure, the 270ex isn't like its big brothers, but then, it isn't supposed to be-- use it as a back-up, spontaneous flash, dont expect it to be your primary strobe. Overall, excellent (and inexpensive) addition to any kit-- I use it on a G11, too, with excellent results!
Pros: Superior build quality, Good Exposure performance, small form factor
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Great for High-End Compacts / "Bridge" Cameras
on September 28, 2010
Posted by: Scott2373
from Rochester
I've owned this flash for over a year now and have been using it exclusively with an SX1 IS. The flash is the perfect size for this more compact line of cameras. The 430EX and 580EX flashes are nice but completely impractical for a camera this size. The flash performs as expected. When the camera is set properly, this flash delivers a very nice, even light spread and reaches out when you need it to. Indoors, the light covers the entire frame with few to no dark spots and rarely blows up the scene depending of course on your shooting conditions. If you're shooting in a room with brightly painted walls, they might look a bit overexposed and unnatural, however since the flash can be controlled in-camera, you can overcome this by dialing down the flash exposure and a little experimentation. Unless you're shooting in a studio, ideal conditions are rare, but this flash compensates and overcomes with just enough fill light to make the scene look quite natural. Outdoors, this flash will do a nice job of illuminating a subject within a reasonable distance. It is a bit small however if you're trying to do nighttime landscapes. You'll notice more pronounced dark and rapidly fading edges. Really though, that's not what this flash was designed to do, but it's just something I noticed. It doesn't diminish my opinion of the unit at all. The versatility and adjust-ability of this little flash-gun put it in a high-value category, making it invaluable whether you're shooting with a compact or a high-end DSLR. The fact that it is powered by 2 AA's makes it even more portable. No dedicated batteries or charger have to be carried with the flash. On two freshly charged AA's (Duracell 2650mAh) the flash recharges almost instantly and will get you several hundred shots. You'll know ahead of time when the batteries need changing because there will be a noticeable increase in time for the flash to charge, so you won't miss that critical shot because your batteries die suddenly. This may also depend on your batteries, so I would suggest using only high quality rechargeables and not standard alkalines, though in a pinch they work for a few good shots. Overall I would highly recommend this flash regardless of what level of equipment you use. The cost, value and versatility make this flash a must-have!
Pros: lightweight, versatile, high value
Cons: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
3
Compact Bounce flash, but no IR or red-eye?!
on March 21, 2010
Posted by: Rick
I own this flash. I DO recommend it as a compact lightweight bounce flash for inanimate objects. I don't think there is a better 2xAA flash compatible with Canon's menus. I bought it for my X2, X4, and 5D Mark ii. It is great to have a 2xAA flash I can keep in my pocket. I bought it primarily to help the cameras focus in very low light. This it does well on my X4 and 5D (not on the X2). Once the 5D Mark ii gets a focusing solution, the flash power goes off and I take the shot. (for this simple purpose an on-board flash would have worked fine, but 5D has none).
However, I do not recommend this flash for shooting people for the obvious reason that there is no IR auto focus assist. Instead of IR, this flash uses full power strobing visible white light which annoys and temporarily blinds people. They close their eyes, squint, even turn away. I can't imagine why some Canon manager forced the engineers to remove the IR light from this flash design? So the 270 would not compete with the 430?
Also, Canon did not program the visible strobe to be used before shutter for red-eye reduction. (another use for IR). If Canon included IR for AF and red-eye this would have been a classic piece of kit; a 5-star hit and a great value. As is, it is a serious compromise. I would have gladly payed more to have the IR onboard.
I use 2,500 mah Lithium Ion rechargables. I don't know how many hundreds of shots I'd get because I re-charge them after a few days; but 2x modern rechargable batteries is plenty for this flash. I don't even carry spares.
The old 220EX used IR, but had no bounce. This one has bounce but no IR. Canon, please release a 2xAA with both! You would have a classic pocket IR/AF/red-eye, bounce flash which would just be awesome. Canon has some of the lightest and most compact leading technology such as the relatively light 5D mark ii; I hope they keep it up with intelligent engineering decisions for accessories as well.
Summary: It has no competition at this weight/size/cost; but add IR and it would be awesome.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, compact, light weight, only needs 2xaa's
Cons: no ir auto-focus assist, no red-eye strobing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A Little Beast
on December 21, 2009
Posted by: Richard
from Austin, TX
This flash is just perfect for what it is intended to do. I use it with both my G11 and 5D Mark II. It is great for close-up fill-in flash during the day and excellent for short-range flash. I use a Sto-Fen flash diffuser in all uses and it really reduces the harshness of the flash.
The only negative is its start time (slow) and recycle time. But, it was know and expected. You can carry it everywhere, even in a shirt pocket. I can't imagine shooting without this "lil beast" of a flash.
Happy shooting.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality
Cons: Slow recycling time
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Just what the Dr. ordered ...
on June 26, 2009
Posted by: Flying Scotsman
from Charlotte, NC
Used primarily on a couple of G-series point-shoots, this has turned into my "don't leave home without it" flash. No, it's not super powerful. No, it's not feature-packed. Yes, IT GETS THE JOB DONE! So much more powerful than the G built-in flashes, it's also the only way I can used the tiny cameras with a lens hood on the lens adapters and not blank out part of the image. It's not what it's missing that an issue with me; it's what it does so well. Balances PERFECTLY with the G7 / G10 and the bounce feature is truly astounding. Two thumbs up!!!
Pros: Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, Good Exposure performance, quiet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
good match for my g11
on December 22, 2010
Posted by: canon user
from New Jersey
bought this item 2 months ago for my G11 .works perfect
for my camera,the size is just right not to bulky,it turn on slow at first but once is set ,recycling is fast .so far no problem using it ,recomment for the G series.
for my camera,the size is just right not to bulky,it turn on slow at first but once is set ,recycling is fast .so far no problem using it ,recomment for the G series.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Superior build quality, Fast recycling time, good size for g series
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
On the nark
on July 20, 2009
Posted by: JoMa
from Albuquerque, NM
I bought this to go with my G9. Although they worked well together, the sight of a G9 married to a 580EX pro Speedlite was a little off putting to say the least. The 270EX is well balanced in weight and size to the "G" series cameras and is performs very well within its specified parameters. The recycling time is a bit slow, but I don't use it for fashion shoots.
Its the perfect combination to take along to cover events and for travel. Now to find a small case that will handle the G9 and the 270EX!
Pros: Superior build quality, Good Exposure performance, quiet
Cons: Slow recycling time
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Good purchase
on February 9, 2011
Posted by: BN
from Los Angeles, CA
I needed a flash for an event. It was good for close shots and semi distances. Gave me the clear crisp sharp images that I was expecting. Recycle time is fast but not fast enough for the images that I was taking. The flexibility of the flash was okay but I should have saved some time and money by purchasing the 580EX II.
Pros: quiet, Good Exposure performance, Fast recycling time
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com