Aputure 1200d vs 600d: Which One Should You Choose?

Over the past decade, Aputure has built a reputable brand that is now very well-known within the film & TV industry.

With an impressive line-up of innovative LED lights, Aputure’s Light Storm series is their most popular.

In this post, we’re going to compare the Aputure LS 1200d Pro and the Aputure LS 600d Pro.

We’ll be discussing their key features, power output, colour accuracy, control options, build quality and portability.

‍

Aputure LS 1200d Pro Key Features

• 83,100 lux @ 3m with Hyper Reflector (Narrow)
• 22,400 lux @ 3m with Hyper Reflector (Medium)
• 13,010 lux @ 3m with Hyper Reflector (Wide)
• 1200W Output Daylight Bowens Mount PointSource LED
• 1440W Max Power Draw
• 5600K Daylight CCT
• Optimized Output with 3 Hyper Reflectors: Narrow, Medium, Wide
• CRI ≥96 TLCI ≥98, CQS ≥95, SSI (D56) ≥73
• Weather-Resistant: IP54 Certified
• 0.1-100% Stepless Brightness Control
• Frequency Selection to Reduce Flicker
• Lead-Follow Mode for Quick Workflow
• 4-Fan Modes: Smart/Medium/High/Silent
• Multiple Control Methods: Sidus Link Bluetooth App Control, LumenRadio CRMX, Art-net & sACN via etherCON, 5-Pin DMX512 In & Out
• Supports Dual 48V/15A DC Inputs (3-pin XLR), Including Battery Power Stations & Block Batteries
• Half Power Output with one 48V/15A Power Source
• Full Power Output with two 48V/15A Power Sources
• Junior Pin (28mm)
• Separate Control Box for a Lighter Lamp Head
• 7.5m Weatherproof Head Cable
• 6m Locking Neutrik Power Cord
• Dual Lightning Clamp Quick Release Plates
• Curved, Disk-Brake Yoke with 360° Rotation
• Utilizes Universal Bowens Mount Standard
• 4 Dimming Curves: Linear, Exponential, Log, SCurve
• 8 Lighting FX: Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, & Explosion
• Includes Rolling Case & Reflector Carrying Case

‍

Aputure LS 600d Pro Key Features

• 29,300+ lux @ 3m with the F10 Fresnel
• 8,500+ lux @ 3m with the Hyper-Reflector
• Comparable to a 1200W HMI or Joker 800
• 0-100% Stepless Brightness Control
• CRI≥96, TLCI≥96, SSI (D55): 72
• Dust & Light Rain Weather-Resistant
• Multiple Control Methods: 2.4GHz Remote, Sidus Link Bluetooth App Control, Built-in Wireless DMX, Art-net, Ethernet, 5-Pin DMX512 In & Out
• Dual Battery Plate Power Supply Supports Multiple Voltages up to Half or Full Power (14.4V / 26V / 28.8V)
• Can Achieve Half Output with 2x V-Mount / Gold Mount Batteries (14.4V/15A, 26V/8.5A, 28.8V/7.5A)
• Can Achieve Max Power with 2x V-Mount / Gold Mount Batteries (26V/18A, 28.8V/16A)
• Can Charge V-Mount / Gold Mount Batteries When Plugged into AC Power (14.4V / 26V / 28.8V)
• Supports 48V DC Input Power @ 15A, Including Battery Power Stations & Block Batteries (3-Pin XLR)
• Optimized LS 600 Series Hyper Reflector for Increased Output
• Accepts Bowens Mount Light Modifiers
• Curved, Handbrake-Locking Yoke with 360° Rotation
• Dual Junior/Baby Pin for Easy Mounting
• Separate Control Box for a Lighter Lamp Head
• 6m Weatherproof Locking Neutrik Power Cable
• Built-in Lightning Clamp Quick Release Plat
• 4 Dimming Curves: Linear, Exponential, Log, S-Curv
• 8 Built-in Lighting FX: Paparazzi, Fireworks, Lightning, Faulty Bulb, TV, Pulsing, Strobe, & Explosion

‍

Power Output

The 1200d boasts a 1200W COB with a maximum power draw of 1440W. This means that it’s better when you’re lighting an area or you want your subject to be really bright.

The light output from the 1200d is equivalent to a 1200W tungsten light or a 1600W HMI.

With a 600W COB and a maximum power output of 720W, the 600d is able to approach the brightness of 1200W HMIs, using a fraction of the energy that they do.

The light output from the 600d is equivalent to a 600W tungsten or an 800W HMI.

‍

Colour Accuracy

The 1200d has exceptional colour accuracy, which includes:

• A Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of 96
• A Television Lighting Consistency Index (TLCI) of 98
• A Colour Quantity Scale (CQS) of 95
• A Spectral Similarity Index (SSI) of 73

This means that it produces consistently accurate light quality for all filmmakers.

The 600d also has high colour accuracy measurements:

• A Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of 96
• A Television Lighting Consistency Index (TLCI) of 96
• A Colour Quantity Scale (CQS) of 95
• A Spectral Similarity Index (SSI) of 72

The colour quality and accuracy are also very good in the 600d, making it great for all filmmakers.

‍

Control Options

The 1200d provides various wireless control methods, such as:

• Sidus Link mobile app
• Built-in wireless DMX control
• LumenRadio CRMX
• Art-net & sACN via etherCON
• 5-pin DMX512 in & out

The 600d has similar wireless control methods to the 1200d, which are:

• Sidus Link mobile app
• Built-in wireless DMX control
• 2.4GHz remote
• Art-net
• Ethernet
• 5-pin DMX512 in & out

Both lights have various control methods so that shouldn’t be a problem for you when considering which one to choose.

‍

Build Quality and Portability

The 1200d features a mostly metal, IP54 weather-resistant design. It includes waterproof fans, sealed internal structures, rubber caps for all ports and weatherproof connectors.

This means that the 1200d can withstand adverse weather conditions, however, it’s relatively larger and heavier compared to the 600d, making it less portable.

As the first Bowens Mount LED light to feature a weather-resistant design, the 600d is also designed similarly to the 1200d.

It also includes waterproof fans, sealed internal structures, rubber caps for all ports and weatherproof connectors.

The 600d is better for situations where you are moving constantly as it’s considerably lighter and smaller than the 1200d.

‍

Conclusion

In the competitive lighting industry, Aputure continues to impress with its extensive range of innovative lighting products.

In our comparison of Aputure’s 1200d and 600d, we’ve covered their key features, power output, colour accuracy, control options, build quality and portability.

The 1200d is an excellent choice for filmmakers and photographers that are either shooting outdoors, in large-scale productions or need to have a really bright subject.

The 600d on the other hand is better when you’re looking for a more compact, lightweight and portable solution.

If you’re looking to hire either of these lights for your next project, contact us and we’ll provide you with a free quote.