Sooo, just found this thread and honestly, I am SO excited for you—the Sony a7C II Mirrorless Camera is such an amazing beast! For your compact setup, I highkey recommend looking at the Godox V350S Lithium-Ion Flash for Sony. Its basically the pro version of the TT350S. From a technical perspective, the standout feature is the dedicated lithium-ion battery. I always tell people to be cautious with AA-powered flashes because they can get realy hot and the recycling times drag as the juice runs low. The V350S is way more reliable and stays cool even when you’re pushing it. Plus, you get that full swivel that the Sony HVL-F28RM Compact External Flash lacks, which is a total lifesaver for vertical bounce shots! It handles HSS and TTL perfectly, so shooting wide open in the sun is a breeze. It definately feels like the 'Goldilocks' flash you're looking for... not too big, but way more punchy than those tiny toy-like flashes. Seriously, it balances sooo well on the 'C' bodies. Good luck with the new rig!! 👍

Basically, weight distribution is everything with a compact body—if it's top-heavy, ur wrists are gonna kill you! I've been using the Nissin i40 Compact Flash for Sony and honestly, it’s an amazing beast for about $150. It’s tiny but still does full TTL and HSS... i think it’s probably the best 'Goldilocks' value out there! It swivels perfectly and feels fantastic on the a7C II. Seriously love it!! 👍

This ^

Saw this earlier but just now getting a second to reply. Before I give you my two cents, are you planning on using this mostly on-camera, or do you think youll ever want to use it as a wireless trigger for other lights down the road? If you want to stay in the Sony ecosystem for that seamless menu integration (which is honestly a lifesaver on the a7C II), you might want to hunt down a Sony HVL-F32M External Flash. Its a bit of a hidden gem because its much more capable than the F28RM—it actually tilts and swivels—but it stays very slim. I find the native communication much more reliable when you're shooting fast family stuff. If you want something truly unique and tiny that fits the C series vibe, check out the LightPix Labs FlashQ X20 for Sony. Its super modular and the head actually detaches to work as an off-camera remote. It supports TTL and HSS, which is rare for something that small. Its definitely more of a niche veteran choice, but for travel, its basically weightless. Just keep in mind it uses AA batteries, so recycling wont be as snappy as the lithium Godox options others mentioned tho.

Same boat, watching this

Honestly, I had issues with the Sony HVL-F28RM... it was super disappointing since it doesn't even swivel properly for the price. I suggest the Godox TT350S instead. It's basically the gold standard for compact setups because: * It's cheap (around $85)
* Full TTL/HSS support
* Actually swivels for vertical bounce It balances perfectly on my a7C II. Your gonna love the size/value ratio!! gl!

> What are you guys using for your compact Sony setups, and would you recommend it for someone who prioritizes portability over raw power? I've been going down the same rabbit hole with my travel kit, and it's such a headache trying to find that perfect balance, right? Honestly, after doing a lot of market research, I've realized that the big camera brands just don't seem to prioritize the "C" series philosophy as much as the dedicated lighting companies do. Tbh, I've found that you're way better off looking at third-party manufacturers. Just go with any of the newer offerings from a brand like Yongnuo—you can't go wrong because they actually include things like full rotation and HSS in their tiny units, which Sony seems to skip for some reason. Basically, my experience has been that the "first-party tax" isn't worth it for compact setups. The third-party ecosystem is just so much more developed for these small mirrorless bodies, you know? It feels like they're actually designing for us, not just shrinking a pro flash and cutting out the best features.

I have been dealing with this exact same weight distribution issue on my a7CR and it is a real struggle. These slim bodies are fantastic until you try to mount any traditional lighting on them. I am currently looking into the Meike MK-320S TTL Speedlite for Sony because it is genuinely tiny, but you might want to be careful since the power output is fairly low for high-ambient daylight situations. I would also suggest looking at the LightPix Labs FlashQ Q20II Sony as it is a unique alternative... the head actually detaches so you can hold it off-camera. Just make sure to monitor your battery life closely if you use HSS often. I am still searching for that perfect balance myself, but those two units are the only ones I have found that do not completely ruin the compact ergonomics of the C-series.