Whether you’re capturing vibrant selfies, creating dynamic TikToks, or experimenting with moody lighting for your smartphone videos, the Zhiyun CINEPEER CM15 promises to deliver professional-grade illumination. This review dives into its features, performance, and whether it truly lives up to the hype as a must-have pocket video light for on-the-go content creators.
The CM15 is the most compact video light in the Cinepeer series, and it is also well known for its affordability. It features 15W of light power (1289 lux at 0.5m), a 2500K–10000K color temperature range, and sixteen RGB light effects. It can be attached to your DSLR/mirrorless camera via a cold shoe adapter, on a tripod, or to your phone using the included clip.
The range of a 15W video light like the Zhiyun CM15 depends on several factors, including its design, LED chip type, diffuser, color temperature setting, and the environment it’s used in. Generally, the effective range can vary from 50cm to 2 meters, so if you want longer-range lighting, a more powerful light might be required (check out my 100W CINEPEER CX100 review).
Zhiyun CINEPEER CM15 review
Disclosure: I received this pocket video light in a product review collaboration with Zhiyun. Although the product was free, all the opinions in this review remain mine.
ZHIYUN Tech is a global leader in camera stabilizers (gimbals), catering to everyone from amateur social media creators to professional filmmakers. In addition to its renowned gimbals, the company offers three video light series: MOLUS, FIVERAY, and CINEPEER.
I received the CM15 and CINEPEER CF100 light stick last month. The CM15 comes in a recycled cardboard box and includes a diffuser, 1/4 cold shoe adapter, phone retaining clip, and USB Type-C charging cable.
CINEPEER CM15: At a glance
The CM15 measures 7.8 x 7.8 x 3.6 cm and weighs 141 grams, making it highly portable and easy to carry, even in your pocket. The eighty LED chips are covered with a white plastic that uniformizes the light. Additionally, it comes with a removable silicon diffuser that helps soften the light output, reducing harsh shadows and creating a more flattering light on your subject. This is especially useful for portraits or close-up shots where you want to avoid sharp contrasts.
It adopts an open frame structure, so it should not be exposed to rain or snow when used outside. The built-in 2600mAh battery is not removable, but its case is part of the design. If you peek inside through the vent holes, you will see the temperature-controlled orange cooling fan, which starts only when needed.
The light cube features a USB Type-C charging port on top and a standard 1/4″ tripod mount at the bottom. According to the CM15 user manual, it is compatible with the Fiveray M20 extension bracket, which adds more mounting options and possibly allows the use of compatible barn doors.
The controls on the CM15 are exactly the same as those on the pricier M20C—two dial buttons, one in each upper corner, with a tiny OLED display between them. The left dial turns the light panel on/off, while the right dial adjusts the intensity. These two dials allow you to navigate between menus and change settings easily.
When powered on, you can switch between CCT, HSI, RGB, and FX (HUE Pulse\Flash\Pulse, Firework, DISCO, Police Car, Disco, CCT Pulse\Flash\Loop, Welding, Explosion, Strobe, Lightning, TV, Bad Bulb, Candle, Paparazzi, and SOS) modes using the left dial. Each mode comes with its adjustable parameters.
Creative and Practical Applications of the CM15 (Beyond Its Main Purpose)
Pocket RGB, video LED lights, are versatile tools that can be used for various creative and practical purposes beyond traditional video production. Here are some additional use cases:
- Practical Everyday Use:
- Emergency Light: Use it as a portable light source during power outages.
- Desk Light: Provide adjustable lighting for reading, studying, or crafting.
- Camping and Outdoor Use: Illuminate campsites or act as a signaling device.
- Working light: It’s a great help when fixing something around the house in dark places, such as replacing a faucet under the sink.
- Professional and Commercial Applications
- Retail Displays: Enhance the presentation of products in stores or at trade shows.
- Architectural Highlights: Accent features in buildings or rooms for photography or showcasing.
- Medical and Inspection: Provide compact lighting for detailed inspections or medical imaging.
- Event and Party Lighting
- Mood Lighting: Use customizable RGB colors to enhance the ambiance at parties, gatherings, or events.
- Photo Booths: Provide fun and dynamic lighting for event photo setups.
- Live Performances: Add flair to stage performances or DJ setups.
- Artistic and Creative Projects
- Light Sculptures: Combine multiple lights to create installations or art pieces.
- Set Design: Add visual interest to theater or small production sets.
- Projection Effects: Use creative RGB combinations for dynamic visuals in experimental art.
- Air light painting: Installed on an FPV drone, you can paint the sky in any color
Pricing and availability
The retail price for the CINEPEER CM10, phone clip, cold shoe mount, and diffuser at the Zhiyun store is $35.50 ($70.00) / €75. You can also order the CM15 and other Cinepeer affordable video lights from Amazon and other platforms.
Key features
[Compact and Powerful] Despite its small size, the CM15 has professional-grade features. It performs almost three times as well as a regular pocket light, with a perfect 15W output and vibrant full-color RGB features.
[Full-Color Lighting] ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM15 boasts 80 bright high-intensity LEDs and delivers full-power RGB performance up to 15W, approximately 200% more than the RGB power for the same volume. It also offers HSI and RGB dual-color modes.
[Outstanding Color Performance for Adjustment] ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM15 boasts exceptional color performance and superior light quality. It operates in a dual color temperature mode at a maximum output of 15W with impressive color accuracy with CRI in 94+ and TLCI in 96+. The color temperature spans a wide range, from 2500K to 10000K, offers the flexibility of ±10 adjustments for G/M shift, and comes with a memory function for your settings.
[18 Lighting Effects] The light comes loaded with 18 dynamic lighting effects, and you can tailor the speed, color mix, color temperature, and brightness.
[Unique Design for Accessories] The ZHIYUN CINEPEER CM15 features a built-in universal 1/4-inch screw mount, allowing easy mounting to a camera or tripod through a 1/4 cold shoe. The 1/4 retaining clip makes it simple to clip your CM15 to a phone, tablet, or computer.
[Powers via PD] Equipped with a 2600mAh internal battery, CM15 offers a runtime of 35 minutes at full power. It is compatible with the PD (Power Delivery) charging standard, allowing you to charge and use it simultaneously with a PD adapter or any PD-supported power bank.
[Excellent Cooling Efficiency] CM15 is engineered with DynaVort™ Cooling System, which integrates a seamless air duct design and variable-frequency FOC fans to boost cooling efficiency.
CINEPEER CM15 vs FIVERAY M20C: Battle of the Compact Powerhouses
The Cinepeer CM15 and the Fiveray M20C are both compact, portable LED lights popular among creators, but they have notable differences in features and functionality. The biggest difference between the CM15 and the M20C is the Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows remote control of the M20C via the ZY Vega mobile app. On the other hand, the CM15 comes with a much more budget-friendly price tag.
| CINEPEER CM15 | FIVERAY M20C | |
| Max power | 15W | 20W |
| LED Chips | 80 | 100 |
| MAX illuminance (4300K/100%) | 1289lux/0.5m | 1950lux/0.5m |
| Color temperature range | 2500k~10000k | 2500k~10000k |
| Color rendering index | TLCI ≥96 CRI ≥94 |
TLCI ≥96 CRI ≥94 |
| Light effects | 16 | 18 |
| Wi-Fi mobile APP | No | Yes |
| Battery | 2600mah | 4500mah |
| Runtime (Max Power) | 35 min | 40 min |
| Weight | 141 g | 200 g |
| Price | $75 | $159 |
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