Godox IT32 Review – A Tiny Flash That Thinks Big (+ X5N Transmitter)

By a professional photographer with 15+ years of hands-on experience ¡ Published 17th of January 2026.

My Godox IT32 Review photograph also including the Godox X5 transmitter

Godox IT32 Review and how does it work in the Real World?

If you’re looking for a Godox IT32 review that cuts through the spec-sheet noise and tells you what this little flash is actually like to use, you’re in the right place.

It honestly not too often I pick up a piece of gear and immediately think “wow, this feels like the future”, but that’s exactly what happened the first time I used the Godox IT32 Flash with the X5N transmitter.

This is one of those rare products that’s genuinely different, incredibly well thought out and most importantly fun to use. The more I played with it, the more I didn’t want to put it down. So let’s dive in and I’ll explain why this tiny flash completely blew me away.

Godox IT32 Review image with the fash head facing straight up.

Transparency First (Because It Matters)

For full transparency: the IT32 was sent to me for this review, but I wasn’t paid for this review and everything you’re reading here is based on my own real-world experience so there was no scripts, no brand pressure—just my honest thoughts on it.

IT 32 First Impressions – Small, Clever, and Very Different

Straight out of the box, the first thing you notice is the size. The Godox IT32 is super compact. Pocket-sized compact. Then you notice something else…

There’s a big hole in the base. Where’s the Hotshoe?

At first glance that might seem strange, but this is where Godox gets clever. Instead of building the flash for one camera brand, the IT32 uses interchangeable hot shoe bases / triggers.

That means:

  • One flash
  • Multiple camera brands
  • Just swap the base or trigger

In my case, I’m using the X5N transmitter for Nikon. If I also shot Sony, I could grab the X5S transmitter and use the same flash on both systems. That’s genuinely brilliant.

The hot shoe recess on the Godox IT32 before the X5 trigger was inserted.

The Flash Is the Wireless Trigger 🤯

The hot shoe base isn’t just a mount—it’s also a wireless transmitter.

You can:

  • Mount the IT32 on-camera like a normal speedlight
  • Slide it off in seconds
  • Instantly use it wirelessly off-camera

No extra receivers. No fiddling. Just pop it off and keep shooting.

This design alone is the key selling point of the IT32 for me. It’s modular, flexible, and future-proof in a way we don’t see very often.

Godox X5 trigger review and looking at it in close detail as part of my Godox IT32 review

Godox IT32 Key Features (The Important Stuff)

Here’s what the IT32 brings to the table:

  • Guide Number: GN 18 (ISO 100), Not super powerful, but absolutely usable in real-world scenarios
  • TTL support
  • High-Speed Sync (HSS) up to 1/8,000th of a second
  • Power range: 1/1 down to 1/128 (1/3 stop increments)
  • Recycle time: 
    • Near instant at low power settings
    • Around 1.5s at full power
  • Up to 515 full-power flashes in one charge
  • Colour touchscreen this makes it super fast to use and easy to navigate also.
  • Built-in modelling light (adjustable)
    • Power output is adjustable from 1 to 10
    • Can switch off during exposure so it doesn’t contaminate your lighting
  • USB-C charging for both the IT32 and X5 transmitter 
    • About 70 minutes from flat to full for the IT32, the X5 takes up to three hours to charge. 

👉 One thing to note: there’s no flash zoom. The beam appears fixed around 28mm, so keep that in mind if you rely on zooming the flash head.

Godox IT32 Price and is it worth it?

Now for €100.- $100.- or ÂŁ100.- you might be thinking how is it possible to get such a feature rich, super compact flash that’s also wireless and yes it also includes a remote trigger also?

That’s surely a mistake right? Or is it just a toy or a complete gimmick?

Well, the short answer is I don’t know how they are doing it, but this is no toy and it’s so definitely worth it, have no fear of that.

In the next section I will run you through build quality and there are no corners cut there either so ya, in my eyes, it’s exceptional value for money.

Now, if that wasn’t already good enough value for money then I am happy to say the nice people over at Essential Photo and Video have given me a 10% off Godox discount code (below) that you can use on all the products on their website, including the IT 32…

If you are based in the USA or the rest of the world then checking out the offers on Amazon here might be your best bet at grabbing a bargain.

The code can’t be used with any items that are already on sale though.

Godox logo on a white background for my Godox Discount code page. 10% off Godox Discount Code
Essential Photo and Video
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Godox logo on a white background for my Godox Discount code page.

Essential Photo and Video

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Go to Offer

If you purchase the Godox IT32 with my discount code or via one of my affiliate links I may make a slight commission but it doesn’t cost you anything in fact you save money so thank you for supporting my work.

Godox IT32 Build Quality and how it feels in the hand.

Build Quality – Surprisingly Solid

Build quality is exactly what you’d expect from Godox—solid, well-finished with a  premium-feel despite the compact size.

I’ll be honest: my biggest concern going into this review was the magnetic mounting system. The last thing anyone wants is a flash dropping off mid-shoot.

Good news: it’s not just magnets holding it in.

The IT32 uses a recessed mount, so the flash physically slots into the hot shoe base. The magnets assist then hold it in but they’re not doing all the work.

  • Push it with a small bit of force from the front, back and side? It doesn’t budge.
  • Turn the camera upside down? Still solid.
  • Knock it lightly? It stays put.

You’d need a real good knock to separate it—and at that point, you’d be getting close to damaging the hotshoe mount with a normal flash too. So that concern disappeared very quickly.

But I would add here that for professional use and for future models I would really like to see a release locking button there also just to be sure, especially if we see this design in bigger units.

The Godox IT32 with the Godox X5 transmitter being slotted into place.

A Quick Note on the X5N Transmitter

THe Godox X5N is Godox’s dedicated wireless trigger for Nikon cameras, using their reliable 2.4GHz system.

It’s also available for these other brands…
Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus and Sony with rumours that the Leica version is coming soon also.

X5N Features:

  • Wireless TTL control (−3 to +3 EV)
  • Flash modes: TTL, Manual, Multi
  • Sync modes: HSS, First Curtain, Second Curtain

Real-World Performance – Is It Bright Enough?

On paper, GN 18 doesn’t sound impressive. In practice though I have found it to be more capable than you might expect. Especially or closer subjects as there is no flash zoom. So for head shots or shots like above it’s great with there being great use for it also in both macro photography and street photography.

In the typical real-world scenario above we have a poorly lit subject with strong backlight and the IT32 does a surprisingly good job, even at 4–5 metres from the subject, at ISO64 and at F4 it works.

IT32 off, SS 1/200TH, @F4 @ISO64
IT32 off, SS 1/200TH, @F4 @ISO64
IT32 on, SS 1/200TH, @F4 @ISO64
IT32 on, SS 1/200TH, @F4 @ISO64

It also does well as:

  • Fill flash
  • Family and travel photography
  • Casual portraits
  • Macro Photography
  • Street photography
  • Quick problem-solver lighting

This isn’t about brute force. It’s about a smart, compact and a super portable light.

Godox IT32 modeling light showing how bright it is.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

  • Extremely compact and lightweight
  • Clever modular design (multi-brand support)
  • Excellent Godox wireless integration
  • TTL and HSS support
  • Up to 515 full-power flashes
  • Supports multiple groups
  • Solid build quality
  • Lovely colour touchscreen
  • Very reasonable price

❌ Cons

  • Slower recycle time at full power for the output level it gives.
  • No flash zoom
  • Lower output than larger speedlights
Godox IT32 review image with the Godox X5 trigger

Flash Recycle time explanation

This is something that confuses people and over the years I have gotten a lot of comments asking for clarification when I compare flash recycle times.

When you look at a full power recycle time of 1.5 seconds you would think that’s really fast and yes it is but the caveat here is that with lower power flashes you need to shoot then at higher power levels to get the same output level as a more powerful flash.

Confused? Well let me explain it this way… If I shoot the IT32 as I did in the real world image above at full power and if I take the same shot on say the Godox V480 at half power I will get more or less the same lighting but the V480 will recycle in around a half a second whereas the IT 32 will take 1.5 seconds. So the IT32 will take two to three times longer which means you are missing out on precious moments while waiting for the flash to recharge.

If you are shooting still life this doesn’t matter of course but with moving subjects that can be the difference between getting the shot and not getting the shot.

Conclusion – Who Is the Godox IT32 For?

Overall, I really like this flash.

The Godox IT32 delivers clean, reliable light in a tiny package, and the X5N transmitter makes off-camera flash feel instant and enjoyable. If you’re upgrading from a pop-up flash or stepping into off-camera lighting for the first time, this is a fantastic entry point.

Is it for everyone? No.

I normally shoot with strobes rated GN 30+, so the IT32 isn’t replacing my main lights. But it will live permanently in my camera bag because:

  • It’s incredibly light
  • It’s always ready
  • It’s perfect for travel and unexpected situations
Godox IT32 vs Godox V480 and which one is better.

Godox IT32 vs Godox V480 Pros and Cons.

Compared to the Godox V480:

  • The V480 is brighter, has a faster recycling time at the same light output, has a flash zoom, removable battery and a more traditional style and shape.
  • The IT32 is smaller, cheaper and instantly wireless, it’s the clear king of ultra compact flashes right now.

And that’s why I think the IT32 might be hinting at where future lighting design is heading next.

Small. Modular. Smart.

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to ask—and if you found this Godox IT32 review helpful, then check out a few more of my reviews below. 📸

The slightly bigger but more powerful Godox V480 review is here.

My Godox Litemons LE300BI video light review here.

See you out there,
Kieran.

Kieran-Hayes-Author

About the Author
Kieran is a professional fashion and commercial photographer with over 15 years of experience and a long-standing passion for landscape photography.
He works with photography gear in real-world, professional environments where reliability, performance, colour accuracy and durability matter most.
His reviews reflect the practical demands of both paid client work and the creative freedom of his own personal projects.

Godox IT32 Review - A tiny flash that broke the mould.
Godox IT32 Review with the X5 trigger

In this Godox IT32 review I will be looking at not only the IT32 in depth but also the Godox X5 transmitter also. This could change everything!

Editor's Rating:
4.8

Pros

  • Super Compact
  • Clever Design
  • Wireless in a split second
  • USB- C charging
  • Great price
  • Super light.

Cons

  • No removeable battery
  • No Flash zoom