Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 – Powerful and Compact 40 W LED Video Light for Professional Photography and Videography
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 is a powerful, compact and versatile portable LED video light designed for content creators, videographers, photographers and anyone who needs high-quality, precisely adjustable lighting. Despite its small size, the light delivers up to 40 W of output power, providing impressive brightness both in studios and on location. With adjustable colour temperature, precise brightness control and excellent colour reproduction, it is ideal for professional video production, product photography, interviews, vlogging and social media content creation.
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 combines 176 LED elements in a compact housing, including 88 warm-white and 88 cool-white LEDs. The colour temperature can be adjusted from 2700 to 6200 K, while brightness is continuously adjustable from 0 to 100%. High colour rendering ratings of CRI ≥96 and TLCI ≥97 help deliver natural skin tones, accurate product images and reliable colour reproduction under different lighting conditions. A built-in rechargeable battery, USB-C charging and an efficient cooling system make this light a practical tool for both indoor and outdoor shooting.
40 W of Power in a Compact Housing
One of the main advantages of the Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 is its high lighting output relative to its size. With a maximum power output of 40 W, this LED light provides a strong light source without requiring a large studio fixture.
Powerful lighting is especially useful when the available ambient light is insufficient for capturing high-quality photos or videos. For example, the light can illuminate a person’s face during an interview, highlight product details or provide additional illumination in challenging shooting conditions.
Its compact housing makes the light easy to transport and allows it to be positioned in confined spaces where larger lighting equipment would not fit.
Unlike many conventional compact camera lights, the Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 provides enough power to serve as a key light in various situations or as part of a larger lighting setup.
Up to 14,000 Lux of Illuminance
Despite its compact design, the Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 delivers impressive illuminance. According to the manufacturer’s laboratory measurements, the light produces 14,000 lux at a distance of 0.3 metres when set to 4300 K and maximum brightness.
At a distance of 0.5 metres, the illuminance is approximately 4400 lux, while at one metre it is approximately 1050 lux.
These figures describe the intensity of the light at different distances and help determine suitable shooting applications.
At close range, the Fiveray M40 is suitable for photographing smaller products, accessories, food and detailed close-up subjects. At greater distances, it can serve as a fill light for portraits, interviews and video recording.
Actual illuminance depends on the selected colour temperature, brightness setting, distance from the subject and surrounding conditions.
Adjustable Colour Temperature from 2700 to 6200 K
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 uses bi-colour LED technology, allowing users to adjust the colour of the light according to the shooting environment.
The colour temperature can be adjusted between 2700 and 6200 kelvin. At the lower end of the range, the light produces a warm, yellowish tone resembling traditional incandescent lighting or cosy indoor illumination. At higher settings, the light becomes cooler and more neutral, making it suitable for daylight-like conditions.
A setting of approximately 2700–3200 K works well for creating a warm atmosphere in interiors, evening scenes or atmospheric portraits.
The 4000–5000 K range provides more neutral lighting suitable for product photography, interviews and everyday video production.
Higher settings, up to 6200 K, allow the light to be matched with cooler daylight or other cool-white lighting fixtures.
This flexibility makes it possible to achieve the desired visual result without switching between separate lights with different colour temperatures.
Natural Colour Reproduction – CRI ≥96 and TLCI ≥97
High-quality photographic and video lighting depends not only on brightness but also on the ability to reproduce colours naturally.
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 offers excellent colour rendering ratings of CRI ≥96 and TLCI ≥97.
CRI, or Colour Rendering Index, describes how accurately a light source reproduces object colours compared with a suitable reference light. A high CRI value helps achieve natural skin tones, more accurate product photography and reliable colour reproduction.
TLCI, or Television Lighting Consistency Index, is used to evaluate lighting for video production and indicates how suitable a light source is for camera recording.
Thanks to its high colour rendering performance, the Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 is well suited to situations where colour accuracy is essential. In product photography, quality lighting helps reveal the actual colours of materials. In beauty videos, it supports natural skin tones, while in interviews it helps produce consistent and pleasing illumination.
176 LED Elements for Versatile Illumination
The Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 light source contains 176 LED elements, including 88 warm-white and 88 cool-white LEDs.
Combining LEDs with different colour temperatures allows the light to adjust its colour smoothly while maintaining a wide adjustment range.
This design helps provide suitable illumination for different shooting conditions without compromising the compact form factor.
For example, combining warm and cool LEDs allows the light to be matched with existing room lighting, reducing unwanted colour differences.
This is particularly useful when natural daylight from windows and artificial indoor lighting are present at the same location.
Precise Brightness Adjustment from 0 to 100%
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 allows users to adjust brightness across a 0–100% range, providing precise control over lighting intensity.
Brightness adjustment makes it possible to adapt the light to the distance of the subject, ambient illumination and the desired visual result.
Maximum brightness may be needed when stronger subject illumination is required or when compensating for insufficient natural light.
Lower brightness settings can create a more subtle lighting effect or allow the unit to be used as an additional fill light.
Precise brightness control is also valuable in multi-light setups, making it easier to balance key, fill and background lighting.
Convenient Control with Two Rotary Dials
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 features two separate rotary dials for adjusting brightness and colour temperature.
This control system makes the light straightforward and intuitive to operate because the main settings can be changed directly on the housing.
One dial adjusts light intensity, while the other selects the desired colour temperature.
This allows users to respond quickly to changing shooting conditions without requiring a separate remote control or smartphone application.
Simple controls are especially important for content creators working alone who need to manage the camera, composition and lighting simultaneously.
DynaVort Cooling System – Efficient Active Cooling
High-power LED lights generate heat during operation, making efficient cooling particularly important in a compact housing.
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 uses the manufacturer’s DynaVort Cooling System, designed to help regulate the operating temperature of the LEDs and internal electronics.
The active cooling system uses a fan and optimised airflow to reduce heat accumulation inside the device.
This makes it possible to operate at up to 40 W of power in a relatively small lighting unit.
Effective cooling is important for both reliability and stable lighting performance.
Because the unit uses active cooling, the fan may produce audible noise. This should be considered in quiet recording environments, such as interviews with nearby microphones or sound-sensitive productions.
The ventilation openings must not be covered during operation, as doing so may reduce cooling efficiency.
Built-In Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 features a built-in 2600 mAh lithium-ion battery, allowing the light to operate without a constant external power connection.
Battery operation is particularly practical for outdoor filming, travel and situations where a power outlet is unavailable.
According to the manufacturer, the operating time at the maximum 40 W output is approximately 29 minutes.
Actual runtime depends on brightness and colour temperature settings, battery condition and ambient temperature.
Using a lower brightness setting may extend the operating time, so it is advisable to select settings according to the requirements of each shoot.
Battery power gives content creators greater freedom of movement and reduces the need for cables.
USB-C Charging and Up to 15 W Fast Charging
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 uses a modern USB-C connection for convenient battery charging.
The light supports charging power of up to 15 W. Under the manufacturer’s laboratory conditions, charging takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes with a suitable USB Power Delivery charger.
Charging time may vary depending on the charger, cable, ambient temperature and battery condition.
The USB-C connection makes it possible to use compatible modern charging solutions without requiring a dedicated proprietary charger.
The battery can be charged both when the light is switched off and during operation. However, because the charging power is lower than the maximum 40 W power consumption, charging may not fully compensate for battery discharge when the light is operating at maximum brightness.
Compact Dimensions and a Weight of Just 320 g
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 is designed for users who need a powerful light without carrying large and heavy lighting equipment.
The device measures approximately 136.5 × 77.8 × 29 mm and weighs just 320 grams.
These dimensions make it easy to transport in a camera bag, backpack or alongside other filming accessories.
Its compact design is particularly beneficial for mobile videographers, travellers and content creators who frequently work at different locations.
The low weight also makes the light easier to attach to compatible supports and use in locations with limited space.
360° Rotatable Support Frame for Flexible Light Positioning
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 features a 360° rotatable support frame, allowing the position of the light to be adjusted flexibly.
The rotating design helps direct the light towards the subject or shooting area without repositioning the entire mounting system.
This is particularly useful in product photography, where the angle of illumination significantly affects surface textures, reflections and the shape of shadows.
The adjustable frame also makes it easier to find a suitable lighting position for portraits, interviews and video recording.
Choosing the right lighting angle helps achieve the desired visual effect while reducing unwanted shadows.
Standard 1/4-Inch Mounting System
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 uses standard 1/4-inch threaded mounting points, allowing the light to be connected to compatible tripods, camera accessories and lighting supports.
This provides flexible mounting options for different shooting situations.
For example, the light can be attached to a suitable light stand, camera mount or another compatible support system.
The standard threaded connection is widely used in photography and videography, making it possible to use a variety of existing accessories.
Before mounting the light, the load capacity of the chosen support should be checked and the light must be securely fastened.
Ideal for Product Photography and E-Commerce Images
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 is an excellent choice for product photography, where consistent lighting and accurate colour reproduction are essential.
Its high CRI ≥96 helps reproduce product colours naturally, while the adjustable colour temperature allows lighting to be matched to different backgrounds and shooting environments.
The light can be used for photographing electronic devices, cosmetics, jewellery, accessories and other smaller products.
Its compact housing makes it possible to position the light close to the subject and adjust the angle of illumination according to the desired effect.
Precise brightness control helps manage reflections and shadows, which is particularly important when photographing glossy products or objects with complex surface textures.
For more professional results, the light can be combined with suitable diffusers and additional lighting equipment.
Suitable for Vlogging and Social Media Content Creation
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 is a practical choice for vloggers and content creators who want to improve the lighting quality of their videos.
For example, it can be used to illuminate a person’s face indoors when the available lighting is weak or uneven.
Adjustable colour temperature helps create a natural appearance in different environments, from warmly lit homes to rooms with daylight.
Its compact size allows the light to be set up quickly and moved to another location when necessary.
It is well suited to YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, TikTok, product presentations and other digital video projects.
Good lighting helps improve image clarity, highlight important details and give videos a more professional overall appearance.
Quality Lighting for Interviews and Portraits
In portrait and interview photography, lighting should highlight the person’s face naturally and help create the desired atmosphere.
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 allows both light intensity and colour temperature to be adjusted, making it adaptable to different shooting environments.
Warmer light helps create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, while neutral or cooler light may be more suitable for formal interviews and presentation videos.
The light can serve as a key light in smaller setups or as a fill light within a larger lighting system.
High colour rendering ratings help preserve natural skin tones and reduce the risk of unnatural colour shifts.
At close distances, the light can be quite intense, so brightness should be reduced or suitable diffusion used when necessary.
Practical Additional Lighting for Videographers and Photographers
Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 works both as a standalone light source and as an addition to an existing lighting setup.
For example, it can be used alongside the main light as fill lighting to soften strong shadows or as background lighting to separate the subject from the surroundings.
Its compact housing allows it to be positioned in spaces where larger studio lights would not fit.
This makes the device useful in small home studios, offices, studio corners and mobile shooting setups.
When combining multiple lights, the adjustable colour temperature helps create more consistent overall illumination.
Suitable for Different Environments
According to the manufacturer, the Zhiyun LED Fiveray M40 has an operating temperature range of –10 to +40 °C.
This allows the light to be used in various normal indoor and outdoor conditions, provided that weather conditions and the device’s protection rating are considered.
The light is not intended for use in rain or wet environments. Its IP20 protection rating means that the device is not water-resistant.
During outdoor use, the light should be protected from moisture, rain and direct contact with water.
Ventilation openings must also remain unobstructed, as proper active cooling is essential for safe operation.
