Whether you’re a professional studio photographer or looking for perfection in your outdoor shots, your choice of flash can transform your images. Discover the different Profoto flashes: Pro-D3, Pro-B3, D30, B10X and A2, and choose the one best suited to your photographic project in the new year 2025.
Profoto has announced two new battery-powered flash units: the Profoto B20 and Profoto B30, successors to the B10X and B10X Plus.
Compact and powerful, the Profoto B20 and B30 are designed for photographers looking for reliable performance, whether on the move or in the studio.
These new flash models build on the heritage of Profoto’s B10 series, renowned for its portability and the quality of its battery-powered light.
In this article, discover the technical specifications of the B20 and B30, as well as the improvements over the previous generation, the B10X.
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What are the features of the new B20 and B30 flash units?
1. What is the power of the B20 and B30?
The Profoto B20 and B30 offer an excellent power/size ratio, making them particularly suitable for photographers on the move.
Compact, they measure just 11×21×11cm for the B20 and 11×25.5×11cm for the B30, while delivering 250 Ws and 500 Ws respectively.
Whether you need simple accent lighting or more advanced light shaping, the B20 and B30 offer a wide 11-stop power range, from 0.25 to 250 Ws for the B20 and 0.5 to 500 Ws for the B30, with precise adjustment in 1/10-stop increments.
This flexibility guarantees total control over your rendering, whether in the studio or on location, whatever the lighting configuration.
2. Continuous light
The B20 and B30 battery-powered flash units are both equipped with a two-tone 40W LED light, offering 50% more power than the B10X. This enhancement makes them particularly well-suited to hybrid uses, both in photography and video.
With a color rendering index (CRI) of over 94, these Profoto flash units guarantee faithful color reproduction, as well as smooth light gradation from 100% to 1%, essential for professional photo results.
3. How fast are B20 and B30 flashes?
The B20 and B30 offer a 13% faster recycling time than their predecessors, notably the B10X, which improves responsiveness in the field.
Like other recent flashes in the Profoto range, they offer three flash modes: Eco, Boost and Freeze, to adapt to any situation.
Eco mode extends equipment life by protecting internal components and reducing thermal stress, ideal for long days of intensive shooting.
Boost mode provides extra power when needed.
Freeze mode offers ultra-short flash duration, down to 1/38,000 s (t0.5), perfect for freezing movement with extreme precision and avoiding blur.
Recycling time is also very short: from 0.01 to 1.1 seconds in Eco mode, and from 0.01 to 1.2 seconds in Boost and Freeze modes.
4. Durability
The B20 and B30 have been designed for superior durability, with no risk of overheating or misfiring.
Each flash is equipped with a user-interchangeable flash tube, enabling rapid on-site replacement and limiting interruptions during photo sessions.
Finally, use of the Eco mode protects internal components, reduces thermal stress and prolongs the life of your equipment.
5. Compatibility with light modelers
Profoto B20 and B30 flash units are compatible with over 120 Profoto light modifiers, including the full range of softboxes.
This broad compatibility ensures a smooth, flexible light-shaping experience, perfectly suited to the creative demands of professional photographers.
Discover all Profoto modelers
6. Design and conception
The Profoto B20 and B30 feature a rubberized coating, a finish absent, for example, on the D30, a mains-powered flash intended exclusively for studio use.
This non-slip surface improves grip, making the flashes easier and safer to handle, especially in dynamic or unpredictable environments.
An optional ergonomic handle can also be added, making it easier to control and adjust the flash, especially when fitted with large modifiers.
9. What are the technical specifications of the B20 and B30?
| Profoto B20 | Profoto B30 | |
| Power | 250 Ws | 500 Ws |
| Energy range | 11 f-stops (0.25-250 Ws) | 11 f-stops (0.5-500 Ws) |
| Energy control increments | 0.1 f-stops (0.1-10) | 0.1 f-stops (0.1-10) |
| Recycling time | Eco mode: 0.01-1.1 s Boost/Freeze mode: 0.01-1.2 s | Eco mode: 0.01-1.8s Boost/Freeze mode: 0.01-2.1 s |
| Flash duration t0.1 | Eco mode: 1/500 s (10) – 1/10800 s (0.1) Boost mode: 1/500 s (10) – 1/10300 s (0.1) Freeze mode: 1/500 s (10) – 1/11700 s (0.1) | Eco mode: 1/300 s (10) – 1/5000 s (0.1) Boost mode: 1/300 s (10) – 1/6200 s (0.1) Freeze mode: 1/300 s (10) – 1/9800 s (0.1) |
| Flash duration t0.5 | Eco mode: 1/1500 s (10) – 1/14500 s (0.1) Boost mode: 1/1500 s (10) – 1/15200 s (0.1) Freeze mode: 1/1500 s (10) – 1/38100 s (0.1) | Eco mode: 1/900 s (10) – 1/10700 s (0.1) Boost mode: 1/900 s (10) – 1/13800 s (0.1) Freeze mode: 1/900 s (10) – 1/21100 s (0.1) |
| Continuous light | 40W LED | 40W LED |
| Dimming range | 100-1% | 100-1% |
| CRI | >94 | >94 |
| Battery capacity | Up to 400 flashes at full power Up to 50 minutes of continuous lighting | Up to 220 flashes at full power Up to 50 minutes of continuous lighting |
| Connectors | 1 x 3.5 mm / USB-C socket | 1 x 3.5 mm / USB-C socket |
| Dimensions | 11x21x16cm (with stand adapter) | 11×25.5x16cm (with stand adapter) |
| Weight | 1.9kg | 2.2kg |
8. How much do B20 and B30 flash units cost? Availability and prices
The Profoto B20 and B30 are now available for €1995 and €2395 from 50.8 Shop. Order now online or visit us in store!
The B20 and B30 are available as a Duo Kit at an attractive price. The Duo Kit also includes the Core Backpack II carrying bag.
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