KNOWLED F400 & F800R vs Aputure INFINIMAT and Aladdin Mosaic RGB Panels

With the new Godox KNOWLED F Series Flexi Panel release announcing RGB additions to the existing Bi-Colour range, it brings new, affordable competition to Aputure and Aladdin, in comparison to their INIFINIMAT and Mosaic panel models of the same size. With many similar features and specifications, which model is best suited for your studio or upcoming projects? We've lined up the important specs below so you can make your decision. 

The new F Series RGB Models

Building on their popular F200BI, F400Bi and F600Bi panels, the new RGB additions not only have new features, but also a range of upgraded design and construction features that make them even better for professional film and broadcast use than the originals!

The additions to the range include:

For this article, we're only looking at the F400R and F800R panels, but the features are very similar across the range.

Similarities

All three brand models have multiple identical specifications, including:

• Linear, S-Curve, Exponential, Logarithmic Dimming Curves
• CCT, HIS, RGBW, GEL, XY, FX Colour Mode Options
• DMX/CRMX and Bluetooth Control Options

However, there are a few differences between these models that stand out.

Power Output and Brightness

While all these panels are fairly high powered, there is a variation in what kind out output you can expect from each model.

At 460w and 900w max output, the Godox F400R and F800R are the most powerful options of each size panel, with the Aputure INFINIMAT panels close behind at 400w and 800w. The Aladdin Mosaic panels are the lowest output with 350w and 600w respectively for each size, creating a 300w output difference between the Aladdin and Godox 4'x4' panels. 

The output difference also drives a difference in illuminance between the different models. For the larger panel options, this means at around 5600K, the Godox F800R has up to 23,700lux at 1m, with the Aputure 4x4 at 21,500, and the Aladdin at 15,800lux (at 6290K due to limited data). For maximum efficiency and illuminance, the Godox F Series panels are your best option. 

Colour Temperature Range

The Colour Temperature Range between the three panel models also has some difference, with the Godox panels having the largest kelvin range of 1,800K-10,000K. Close behind, the Aputure INIFINIMAT panels have a 2,000K-10,000K range, and the Aladdin Mosaic mats have the narrowest range of 2750K-6290K, allowing for the least flexibility of lighting warmth tailoring. 

While all three panel models are RGBWW, a limited temperature range means less option for matching your ambient lighting, or creating an accurate temperature in-camera. 

Colour Representation

Each panel has a high CRI and TLCI rating of 95 or over, indicating a very high colour accuracy within each model, allowing for accurate representation both to the eye and through cameras for television and broadcast usage. 

At the highest, the Godox F Series panels offer a CRI rating of 96+, and an impressive TLCI of 98+. Aputure offer similar ratings at 96+ and 97+ each, while Aladdin offer a rating of 95 for both CRI and TLCI at the lowest. For the most accurate representation of colour in-camera, especially when broadcasting live, the Godox and Aputure panels will be your most accurate and highest rated options. 

Weather Rating 

An important figure, the IP Weather Rating dictates a few important features of your lighting, especially if this is equipment you're looking to use outdoors on location. Rating both the moisture ingress levels and the particle ingress, this rating shows you what kind of protection your equipment has against rain, sand, and dust, and therefore tells you how safe it will be in unpredictable conditions when outdoors on a shoot, or when around certain set materials, as the wrong thing getting into your light could cause it to be damaged!

The Aputure panels boast the highest rating, at an IP65. The "6" rating is the highest of the particle ratings, and means these panels are dust-tight, with no particles being able to get into the internals of this equipment. The "5" rating correlates with the water protection, and rates 5 out of 9 levels, meaning it is protected from jets of water from all directions, but not immersion into water. 

The Godox F panels are certified at an IP54 rating, lower than the Aputure panels, but still offering ample protection for a vast majority of professional lighting applications. The "5" particle rating offers protection against most dust and particle ingress, while the "4" water rating protects it from splashing water, but not direct jets or immersion. F Series RGB panels also have the benefit of the confirmed upgraded IP rating protection on both the panel AND the control box, whereas the previous panels were only certified for panel protection. 

Aladdin Mosaic panels have not been confirmed to have any IP weather rating certified. 

Battery Compatibility

Important for filmmakers on the go, a battery compatibility option for lighting can be very useful for awkward shoots with minimal mains power options. If you can power your lighting equipment with a few handy V-Mount battery packs, then you can save yourself a lot of time and cable management! 

The Aputure panels have the most battery pack flexibility, with both V-Mount and Gold-Mount battery compatibility, opening up your options for powering the lights based off the kit you already own. The Godox panels offer a standard V-mount Battery compatibility, while no battery compatibility data can be found for the Aladdin panels.  

Cost

One of the biggest differences between the different panels is the cost of each model. (GBP Prices based off multiple sources via different websites)

2x4' Panels

The lowest price of the 2x4 panels is the Aputure Infinimat, at around £1,974 for the panel kit. Not far behind, the Godox F400R panel has an RRP of £2,199.99, while the Aladdin has almost double the estimated cost of around £4,368.

4x4' Panels

On the other hand, the cheapest of the 4x4 panels is the F800R, which sits at a very close price to the F400R model despite being twice the size, at £2,999.99. The Aputure 4x4 mat is around £4,800 in comparison, reflecting the larger size and higher power output, while the Aladdin 4x4 panel is around £5,980 for the UK market, and is the most expensive panel on the list.