Speedlight Comparison
SB-600 vs SB800 vs SB900
For more picture comparisons click HERE.
Here is a basic feature comparison between the speedlights.
| Feature | SB-600 |
SB-800 |
SB-900 |
| i-TTL Mode | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Auto Aperture Mode | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Manual Mode | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Power Range | 1/1 - 1/64 |
1/1 - 1/128 |
1/1- 1/128 |
| Illumination Style Selection | No |
No |
Yes |
| Head Rotation | 270˚ |
270˚ |
360˚ |
| Head Angle Down | No |
-7˚ |
-7˚ |
| Head Angle Up | +90˚ |
+90˚ |
+90˚ |
| External Power Pack | No |
SD-8A |
SD-9 |
| 5th Battery Holder | No |
Yes |
No |
| Recycle Time (x4 Alkaline) (x5) | 3.5 * |
6.0 (5.0) |
4.0 |
| Recycle Time (x4 NiMH) (x5) | 2.5 * |
4.0 (3.5) |
2.3 |
| Recycle Time when using the Power Pack | n/a |
< 1.5 |
< 1.2 |
| Diffuser Dome Included | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Wide Angle Diffuser | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Popup Highlight Card | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Modeling Light | No |
Dedicated Button |
Custom Function |
| Foot | Metal |
Metal |
Metal |
| Stand | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Zoom (Wide) (with diffuser) | 14mm |
14mm |
14mm |
| Zoom (Wide) (no diffuser) | 24mm |
24mm |
17mm |
| Zoom (Tele) | 85mm |
105mm |
200mm |
| PC Sync Input | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| TTL Cord Input | No |
Yes |
No |
| CLS Master (Commander) | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| CLS Remote | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| SU-4 Optical Slave Mode | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Dedicated Gel Holder | No |
No |
Yes |
| Gels Included | No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Carry Case | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Weight (no batteries) | 298g |
348g |
426g |
| Weight (4xNiMH) / (5xNiMH) | 412g |
464g / 510g |
540g |
(*) Since the SB-600 is less powerful than the others this is not an accurate comparison. See the Guide numbers below.
Guide numbers for each model also vary. In this case the SB-900 also has different guide numbers based on the support for DX vs FX sensors. Gaps in the table mean that position is not supported by that model.
Guide numbers are shown as Meters / Feet.
| Distance | SB-600 | SB-800 | SB-900 DX | SB-900 FX |
| 14mm | 14/45.9 | 17/56 | 25/82 | 17/55.8 |
| 17mm | 19/62 | 29/95.1 | 22/72.2 | |
| 24mm | 26/85.3 | 30/98 | 34/111.5 | 27/88.6 |
| 28mm | 28/91.9 | 32/105 | 36/118.1 | 30/98.4 |
| 35mm | 30/98.4 | 38/125 | 40/131.2 | 34/111.5 |
| 50mm | 36/124.7 | 44/144 | 46/150.9 | 40/131.2 |
| 70mm | 38/124.7 | 50/164 | 49.5/162.4 | 44/144.1 |
| 85mm | 40/131.2 | 53/174 | 51/167.3 | 47/154.2 |
| 105mm | 56/184 | 52.5/172.2 | 49.5/162.4 | |
| 120mm | 54.8/181.4 | 51/167.3 | ||
| 135mm | 55.7/184.3 | 51.5/169 | ||
| 180mm | 56.5/185.4 | 54/181.4 | ||
| 200mm | 57/187 | 56/183.7 |
For picture comparisons click HERE.