Zeniko Launches ZA12 Dual-Dial Retro Mini Flash
Zeniko has introduced the ZA12 Dual Dial Retro Mini Flash, a compact lighting unit designed for cameras equipped with a standard single-contact hot shoe. The flash is compatible with models from Fujifilm, Sony, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Ricoh, Leica and other brands that do not rely on proprietary TTL communication. Sony’s ZV-1F is one exception, as it uses a cold shoe without electrical contacts.
The flash measures 55 × 47 × 36 millimeters, weighs about 60 grams, and is available in black or silver finishes. Its design incorporates an aluminum body, two mechanical dials and a nickel logo plate, reflecting the company’s preference for a retro-styled aesthetic. The unit supports temperatures between –10°C and 40°C, which covers typical outdoor and indoor shooting environments.
The ZA12 combines a xenon tube with a Fresnel lens, an arrangement the Chinese company says is intended to deliver even and natural illumination with a color temperature of 5600K and a CRI above 95. It operates in two modes: in automatic mode, it adjusts its output based on camera settings within seven power levels. In manual mode, photographers align the two dials—one for aperture, the other for ISO and power—to determine the flash intensity. Power can be set from full output down to 1/128, depending on the shooting scenario.
Recycle times range from 0.1 seconds at low power to about 2.5 seconds at full output, and Zeniko states that the flash can deliver up to 400 full-power bursts on a single charge. Some descriptions reference a C-cell battery, while others note an internal 300mAh lithium-ion battery rechargeable by USB-C; in both cases, the stated capacity and output performance are similar.
The flash joins the company’s existing compact flash products, including the ZF08 Aluminum Mini Flash Speedlite and the F04, and is primarily suited for close-range work, small portraits and travel situations where a full-size strobe would be impractical.
The ZA12 is available for approximately $50, though some listings note that wider pricing information has not yet been provided. It ships with a diffuser to soften output, when needed.
