Flash Research Assignment

Comparison between Canon Speedlite 430EX II and Sunpak PZ42X.

Canon Speedlite 430EX II
Guide Number: 43 (meters)
Flash Coverage: 24-105mm (wide panel 14mm)
Batteries: 4x AA
Min. Recycling Time: Approx 3.5 sec
Dimensions: 72mm x 122mm x 101mm
Weight: Approx 320g
(http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Personal/Products/Cameras-and-Accessories/Speedlites/430EXII)

Sunpak PZ42X
Guide Number: 42 (meters)
Flash Coverage: 24-? (wide panel 20mm)
Batteries: 4x AA
Min. Recycling Time: Approx 3 sec
Dimensions: 64mm x 116mm x 102mm
Weight: Approx 260g
(http://www.sunpak.jp/english/products/pz42x/)


When deciding what flash to purchase, one could easily make the mistake of following the trend without exploring other options.
Most photographers recommend the Canon Speedlite - with, it seems, good reason. The Speedlites are high quality flashes, well made, with high guide numbers and therefore a powerful flash. Canon makes several different levels of Speedlite, but I decided to focus on the 430EX II because it seems to be what many photographers consider their standard, "go-to" flash. It is also within my budget - you can buy them at Ted's Camera Store for about $370.
However, you can get a flash that is just as powerful for much less money if you look into Sunpak's flashes.
I currently own a Sunpak flash, but it's quite old (made in the 80s or 90s I think). It's a good flash though, and does the job even if it doesn't have all of the fancy features that modern flashes have. I wouldn't have known where to start searching for generic brand flashes, if I hadn't already heard of Sunpak, as I didn't find that the internet wasn't very helpful unless I had a brand name to search for.
The Sunpak flash closest in specs to the Speedlite 430EX II is the PZ42X. They seem to be pretty much the same as far as I can tell, apart from the fact that the Sunpak is slightly smaller and lighter.
The big difference between them is the price - you can buy the Sunpack online from Citiwide for about $220.
Reviews I have read of the Sunpak have all said it is very good value for money. While it might not have as many features as the Speedlite has (I'm not going to go into all of those, as I have absolutely no idea what they do!!), at a price like that what would you expect? Reviewers say the Sunpak flash is very good, sturdy and well built, and for some it has even surpassed their Speedlite as their "go-to".

The price difference alone was enough to persuade me that the Sunpak PZ42X would be a good choice if I were upgrading my flash equipment at the moment, and with the positive reviews I have read I am convinced that it would not be a choice I would regret.

References
http://www.citiwideonline.com/au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new&product_id=3333&category_id=297&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79
http://www.adorama.com/SUPZ42XCA.html#pr-header-SUPZ42XCA
http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Personal/Products/Cameras-and-Accessories/Speedlites/430EXII
http://www.sunpak.jp/english/products/pz42x/
http://www.teds.com.au/canon-speedlite-430ex-ii
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/canon-speedlite-580ex-ii.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157614447290197/