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The Sea & Sea YS-D3 lightning and INON Z330 strobes are both considered the best for underwater photography. In this guide, we will compare both models to help you pick the underwater strobe that best fit your style.
Update: As of Dec31 2022, the Z-330 is discontinued. Inon are no longer able to acquire a chip that is necessary to manufacture the strobe. They are working on a new model, ETA is currently not available.
Let’s go over some of the specs:
| Inon Z-330 II | Sea & Sea YS-D3 II | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $679 | $899.95 |
| Depth Rating | 330 feet / 100 Meters | 330 feet / 100 Meters |
| Flash Modes | S-TTL / 13-Step Manual Flash Mode with 1/2 EV increments | DS-TTL II, Slave TTL and Manual |
| Battery | 4-AA Batteries | 4-AA Batteries |
| No. of Flashes | Approx. 210 Flashes with Eneloop batteries | 220 flashes with Ni-MH batteries |
| Recycle Time | Approx. 1.6 Seconds at Full Power | 1.7 seconds at full power,
0.6 seconds at half power, virtually no recycle time at quarter power and below |
| Connection | Special Inon Fiber Optic | Standard Sea & Sea Fiber Optic |
| Mount | Not included, Ball and YS available ($29) | Ball Mount included |
| Angle of Coverage | Circular Beam Between 100 to 110 Degrees (Using Diffusers) | Circular Beam Between 120 to 150 Degrees (Using Diffusers) |
| LED Focus Light | Yes | Yes |
| Guide Number | 33 | 33 |
| Color Temp. | 5500K Without Diffuser and 5400K With Diffuser | 5800K Without Diffuser and 5500K With Diffuser |
| Dimensions | 4.0 x 5.2 x 4.9 inches | 3.6 X 4.4. X5.8 inches |
The YS-D3 II “Lightning” Strobe
The YS-D3 II “Lightning” Strobe is the redesigned version of the popular YS-D2J. It offers lots of great improvement from its predecessor, the YS-D3 has a newly designed circuitry, it’s depth rated to 100m/330ft and has an impressive guide number of 33.
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 is the strobe of choice for photographers that require quick recycle times and a lot of power in a compact package. This strobe is also very travel friendly that it can fit in a carry on.
This strobe truly lives up to the name “Lightning”. It features no recycle time at a quarter power and below.
The INON Z-330 II
The Z-330 II Strobe, on the other hand, is based on the popular Inon Z-240. This strobe came out earlier than the YS-d3 that it was compared to YS-D3’s predecessor, the YS-d2J. But this strobe made a mark in the underwater photography with its unique beam design, the 110 degree beam does not need a conventional translucent diffuser which would normally sacrifice output. This strobe is 110 degrees at full output!
The Z-330 Strobe has been out in the market for a while now, but it still holds the title as one of the best strobes.
About the Author
Mari Herrarte
Mari has been diving for 15 years and loves spending time in the ocean, surrounded by nature. She is also passionate about photography and capturing the beauty she discovers underwater.
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