ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25 review: Formidable, palm-sized light for content creators

Oftentimes, when a light focuses on portability, it sacrifices power. In the case of the ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25, it’s small enough it fit right in the palm of your hand. But with this light being so small, does it deliver on the power front? We’re happy to say it does.

Overview

The ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25 is a light that works both as a light for videographers and photographers. Its brightness can be adjusted from 0 to 100% using a responsive knob. In our experience, the knob allowed for precise control over your brightness and helped us get the exact brightness we were looking for. Additionally, the color temperature is adjustable from 2700K to 6200K through another knob. This range is particularly beneficial for matching the CM25 with other lights in a setup and ensures visual continuity across various scenes.

Tackling micro shadows

A common issue with LED lights is the creation of micro shadows. This can be particularly problematic when the light is used as a key source. However, the CM25 addresses this with an optional silicon cover that diffuses the light, ultimately reducing these shadows and softening the output. This adaptation makes the light more versatile and makes the CM25 a perfect fill light.

Portability and practicality

Weighing just 232 g, the ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25 is super lightweight. Being this light and compact makes it a strong choice for on-the-go shooting. But that’s not all this light’s design brings to the table. It’s also designed in a way that makes set up and pack up easy, even if you’re out on location.

Affordability

One of the CM25’s major strengths is its affordability. It’s priced at just $70 and often gets discounts, dropping it to $50. But that affordability thankfully doesn’t compromise its functionality. During our tests, the light didn’t feel like it was skimping out on anything to lower its price. Its performance is downright impressive, regardless of its price tag.

Minimal fan noise

The ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25’s design includes an impressively quiet fan. The fan noise is barely perceptible unless extremely close (within 4 to 6 inches). So this means that the fan won’t interfere with sound capture during video recording.

Battery life and powering options

How about the battery life? Portable lights need a reliable battery. Thankfully, the battery performance on the CM25 is robust. ZHIYUN promises 30 minutes of full power usage, but our testing actually exceeded this, reaching 35 minutes. The light is powered by two integrated 2000 mAh batteries, and once depleted, it can be powered through USB. One downside is the recharge time is approximately 2.5 hours, so you need to plan for downtime accordingly.

Mounting and durability

Mounting the ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25 is straightforward, thanks to a ¼-20 mount on its base. This feature makes it suitable for use with various stands, boosting its utility as accent or product lighting. However, like the CX100, the light is made mainly of plastic. It’s likely this light won’t withstand rough treatment, which, for a portable, on-the-go light, is a big downside.

Should you buy?

Overall, the ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25 is a practical, versatile light that offers excellent value for its price. It has many features that videographers need without breaking the budget. While its durability might be a concern, its performance, portability and price point make it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to expand their lighting arsenal.

ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM25

$59.00 at Amazon

Tech specs