You can’t take these two flashes seriously, but I don’t mean that in a harsh way at all. The Godox iT20 and Godox iT22 are the fun kind of flashes that you bring out at parties and events where you want to create a vintage, compact camera-like feel to your images. Think of what Polaroid cameras in the 80s used to do, but for your expensive modern digital camera. Still, when used in the right conditions, these two flashes can also give you an output that you would find surprising. They are best used when paired with the TR adapters that allow you to tilt them – I just wish this adapter was designed to allow more functionality with the flashes, as you will read about later.
When attached to a modern mirrorless pro camera, such as my Nikon Z8, they seem almost toy-like. An accessory that piques the viewer’s curiosity rather than intimidating them. These tiny units remind me of the time 35mm compact cameras came equipped with pop-out flashes — not in terms of appearance but in the sense that they invite you to get creative with your lighting. We received the Godox iT20 and iT22 flashes in black this time, unlike the silver iT30 we tested out a few weeks ago. These new units, of course, are far less capable than that model, both in terms of features and output. Thankfully, they are compatible with the TR-adapter, which, after this most recent review, I have realised really needs a redesign by Godox.
Despite their size, both the iT20 and iT22 add an effective pop to photos when adapted correctly. Used straight on, they give you that unmistakable harsh flash look that pros have come to expect from small flashes — hard shadows and often overpowering brightness. Faces pop and subjects separate from the background for sure, but there’s a very small niche audience for these kinds of results. But there’s a raw honesty to the light that feels almost nostalgic. You can also use magnetic snap-on diffusers, color filters, creative gels, and honeycomb grids for a different atmospheric feel to your photos. The included velvety pouch is a nice touch. Both models are also rechargeable, which matters more than it sounds. No hunting for batteries or ending up with a dead flash at the worst moment. If the battery is low, it’s a quick recharge via a power bank, even.
Where the flashes get more interesting is when you stop pointing them directly at your subject. Using the TR-N adapter, I bounced both flashes off the ceiling, and suddenly the light softened dramatically. Shadows lifted greatly, and contrast evened out. The result was far more flattering than you’d expect from something this small. It’s definitive proof that flash is less about power and more about direction. All the above images you see are taken with the adapter, bouncing the flash output off the ceiling.
One thing Godox absolutely got right is with the physical interfaces on these. Buttons are tactile and responsive, manual power output is easy to adjust, and the fact that TTL is built in makes them far more capable than their size suggests. You can hand the camera to someone else and still trust the exposure to land in the right place (not something I’ve experienced often, but it may also be due to the fact that I very rarely trust anyone else with my camera).
The LCD has a weak point. It should have been bigger. More importantly, when you view the LCD at just above eye level, the top row of dots gets clipped by the edge of the cutout that houses it. It works, but it doesn’t feel as refined as the rest of the design and needs you to take the extra effort to raise the flash to your eyes if you rely on viewing the LCD often.
I’ve realised that the TR-N adapter, which is designed for these small flashes, is not perfect. It really needs a twist or rotation mechanism. As it stands, it allows you to tilt your flash up to 90 degrees to bounce the light. The caveat is that this is great when shooting in landscape orientation, as you can bounce off the ceiling, but the moment you turn the camera into portrait mode, this becomes impossible. The adapter is now pointing your flash to the left wall. I think this is a missed opportunity, especially since portrait orientation is where small flashes could really shine for casual portraits.
The Godox iT20 and iT22 are flashes you buy because you want to enjoy photography at times you wouldn’t normally feel you could. They are small enough to carry everywhere, simple enough to use without thinking, and capable enough to surprise you. They won’t replace your main lighting tools for sure, but they might make you pick up your camera more often when you least expect to.