When you’re serious about getting the most out of your camera, good lighting is essential. The other week, I found myself needing an external flash for my Lumix camera. I read the specs and figured out all of the options out there, and decided upon the Panasonic LUMIX DMW-FL360L External Flash.
I ordered from B&H Photo and Video, and I was impressed the entire way through that process in product discovery, ordering, and performance testing.
A Seamless Buying Experience with B&H
As always, B&H Photo and Video provided an exceptional customer experience. The functionality of their site was well thought out and easy to navigate to help me quickly narrow my choices down to flash units compatible with my camera. The search engine worked correctly and I avoided receiving strange suggestions, (this is something many other sites still haven’t figured out.) What I particularly liked, was their “Compare Products” feature. This feature really streamlines the process of considering my best options. It was nice not to have to go back and forth through product pages checking the specifications of each product individually, as it allowed me to see them side by side without much effort.
The checkout process went smoothly and was quick, particularly being a previous customer and having stored information. Best of all? Two day delivery. The flash arrived fully boxed and perfectly intact.
Performance & Features of the DMW-FL360L
Once unboxed, I was struck by the build quality. The Panasonic LUMIX DMW-FL360L is a great combination of size and power. It’s perfect for traveling photographers and anyone who wants a compact flash without compromising reliability. Let’s take a look at the key features that impressed me:
| Feature | Details |
| Guide Number | 118′ at ISO 100 and 42mm |
| Zoom Range | 12–42mm (8mm with wide panel); 24–85mm equivalent on 35mm format |
| Tilt / Rotation | -7° to 90° tilt; 180° left/right rotation for full bounce flexibility |
| Wireless Functionality | TTL-compatible, Master & Slave, 4 Channels / 3 Groups |
| High-Speed Sync | Yes |
| LED Light Output | 100 lux at 3.3′; effective range: 3.3–16.4 ft |
| Battery Type | 4 × AA batteries |
| Battery Life | ~250 flashes (alkaline) / ~350 flashes (Ni-MH) |
| Recycle Time | 1.5–2 seconds |
| AF Assist Lamp | Yes (via LED light) |
| Bounce Card / Wide Panel | Built-in; wide-angle panel covers 16mm (35mm equiv.) |
| Included Accessories | Flash stand and case |
An LED light is a nice feature for hybrid content creators who shoot both video and stills. It’s even an AF assist lamp, which I didn’t know (that I needed).
Final Verdict
If you want a small, versatile, and powerful external flash unit for your Lumix setup, the Panasonic LUMIX DMW-FL360L is well worth your investment. Whether you are working in a studio or shooting on location, this flash provides power many times larger than its physical size.
On another note, if you are buying gear on a website, B&H Photo and Video has been one of the most reputable, friendly, and professional website retailers. Their accurate product listings with fast shipping and great customer service make your purchasing experience so much easier.
Overall experience: 5/5
Product performance: 4.8/5
Would I recommend? Yes.