We looked at Zhiyun's first foray into light sticks late last year when the company released its light sabre-style FR100C (already superseded by the upgraded FR100).
Where that markedly larger and brighter model is intended as a major supplementary lighting source for filming and studio photography work, this pocket-sized companion is pitched as a more personal source of light: vloggers, video calls, selfies and so forth. The M40 is more of a one-on-one light for the immediate foreground, where the FR100C can flood the surroundings with light.
While at first glance this much smaller, ostensibly less powerful little brother might seem a curious product release, the M40 undoubtedly brings its own illuminating charms to the table.
Image credit: Zhiyun
For example, its smaller form factor...