Upgrading Your Photography Lighting Equipment in 2025
If you've shopped with us for a while, you may have noticed that we no longer sell a lot of our old popular lighting equipment. If you're looking for new alternatives to your old outdated equipment, or you're looking to update to improved models, check here for our recommendations for the best options to go for, with comparisons to our old models.
Psst... Looking for the Godox model equivalent to your old PiXAPRO Equipment? Check out this blog here for the alternative model.
GIO1 Roundhead Speedlite > Godox V1 Pro or Godox V100 Speedlite
The PiXAPRO GIO1 is a roundhead speedlite which is designed for things like events and location shooting thanks to it's flattering round fall-off of light. Part of the PiXAPRO Flash range, the GIO1 isn't guaranteed to stick around forever, and has been part of the Godox (as the V1)/PiXAPRO flash collection for a few years.
As an upgrade option for the GIO1 or V1 flash, Godox have now released new, improved speedlite models. Specifically, the V1 Pro flash, and the new V100 speedlite. Both round-head speedlite options, the V1 Pro and V100 have a wealth of upgraded features, including an improved continuous fire rate and an additional detachable front bounce flash.
Related Blog: The V1 vs the V1 Pro
The V1 Pro is the direct successor to the GIO1/V1, with an upgraded battery with type-C charging port, as well as more flashes per full charge, despite being the same power output (76w). This is also in the closest price range to the original GIO1/V1 flash. The V100, however, while very similar, has a few other upgrades, including a full-colour touchscreen display, as well as a 100w output making it more powerful than most other speedlite options on the market.
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V1 Pro |
V100 |
Stuck between the two? Check out our blog comparing the V1 Pro and V100 speedlites here: www.essentialphoto.co.uk/blogs/news/the-godox-v100-speedlight-vs-the-godox-v1-pro
Godox AD200Pro/PiXAPRO PIKA200Pro > Godox AD200Pro II
The obvious answer to an alternative to the AD200Pro, the AD200Pro II is a great option to replace old or worn out PIK200Pro/AD200Pro flashes!
As the PIKA200 Pro and the Godox AD200Pro have both now been discontinued on our website, the AD200Pro II is the next best option for you. Luckily, at £348.00* RRP, the MKII model is actually the same price as the original AD200Pro model's RRP, meaning that you're not paying a premium for the upgraded and improved version!
Tip! A handy addition to the AD200Pro II design is that your old AD200Pro flash heads will work on the new MKII body. You just can't use MKII heads backwards on the original AD200Pro flash body.
The AD200Pro II has a wealth of upgraded features including an improved full-colour display, colour-coded groups, improved flash head design and a bi-colour modelling lamp! With the same dimensions as the original, the AD200Pro II is the same compact, handy portable flash that's now even more perfect for all kinds of photography projects.
Check out our blog on the key differences between the AD200Pro & AD200Pro II: www.essentialphoto.co.uk/blogs/news/the-godox-ad200pro-flash-vs-the-new-ad200pro-mkii
Godox AD600Pro > Godox AD600Pro II
Much like the AD200 Pro II, the AD600 Pro II is the direct descendant of the AD600 Pro/CITI600Pro, and also has the same RRP at £828.99*.
With a similarly upgraded full colour display screen, colour-coded groups, and bi-colour modelling light, the AD600Pro II packs the same 600w punch and is great for all kinds of photographic purposes where you need a lot of light,
Compare the AD600Pro vs the AD600Pro II in our blog here: www.essentialphoto.co.uk/blogs/news/the-godox-ad600pro-mki-flash-vs-the-new-ad600pro-mkii
PiXAPRO KINO600 II and KINO1200 II/Godox QS II Series > Godox DP Series Flashes
The PiXAPRO KINO600 II and KINO1200 IIs were fairly popular studio flash options at 600w and 1200w each, and designed for larger scale photographic purposes such as interior photography, large group images and the like. Quite straightforward flashes, the KINOs had flash durations as fast as 1/2000th of a second with a 150w halogen modelling lamp and a 0.3~1.5s recycle time.
Old models, these have since been discontinued by both us and Godox, who no longer upgrade the QS range, however, there are newer, better alternatives for high-powered studio flashes.
Specifically, the DP Series of Godox studio flashes are the closest alternative to the KINOs, with models in 400w, 600w, 800w and 1000w. With an efficient 30w modelling lamp and a flash duration of up to 1/2000th of a second, the DP flashes also have a faster recycle time of 0.1-1s and a wider 7-stop power range over the 6-stop range of the KINOs.
At similar price points, the DP600IIIV 600w model at £284.00 has a lower RRP* than the KINO600 II had, despite its improved features and design, making it a great alternative option for high-powered studio mains-powered flashes to fit into your arsenal.
Not found the recommendation for the equipment you're looking to replace? Get in touch with our product advice team at info@essentialphoto.co.uk who will be able to check our info for discontinued Godox and PiXAPRO equipment and find some suitable replacement recommendation for you and your work!
All of the recommended equipment above uses the same 2.4GHz built-in receiver to communicate with both PiXAPRO and Godox triggers/transmitters.
*Correct at time of writing.