# Canon Speedlite EL-5 vs Nikon SB-700: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Canon Speedlite EL-5 (Canon) and Nikon SB-700 (Nikon) among camera flashes. Nikon SB-700 is the cheaper of the two at $299.95.

## Side by side

| Spec | Canon Speedlite EL-5 | Nikon SB-700 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $349 | $299.95 |
| Brand | Canon | Nikon |
| Guide number (m) | 60 | — |
| Zoom range (mm) | 24-200 | 24-120 |
| Recycle time sec | 1.2 | 2.5 |
| Full power flashes | 350 | 160 |
| Color temp kelvin | — | — |
| Wireless system | 2.4ghz-radio | optical |
| High speed sync | Yes | Yes |
| Ttl support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | li-ion | 4xaa |
| Head rotation (°) | 180 | 180 |
| Round head | No | No |
| Weight grams | 491 | 360 |

## Key differences

- Zoom range (mm): Canon Speedlite EL-5 24-200 vs Nikon SB-700 24-120
- Recycle time sec: Canon Speedlite EL-5 1.2 vs Nikon SB-700 2.5
- Full power flashes: Canon Speedlite EL-5 350 vs Nikon SB-700 160
- Wireless system: Canon Speedlite EL-5 2.4ghz-radio vs Nikon SB-700 optical
- Battery type: Canon Speedlite EL-5 li-ion vs Nikon SB-700 4xaa
- Weight grams: Canon Speedlite EL-5 491 vs Nikon SB-700 360

## What reviewers say

**Nikon SB-700** — Only one whitelisted tester (TechRadar's Matthew Richards) yielded readable hands-on text: he rates the SB-700 the best value in Nikon's own Speedlight line, praising its 24-120mm motorized zoom, full wireless commander/slave modes and 2.7-second full-power recycling on NiMH, while flagging infrared-only wireless, no programmable repeat mode and output that trails some cheaper independent rivals. (1 sourced review.)

## Sources

- Canon Speedlite EL-5: https://cam.start.canon/en/A006/manual/html/UG-06_Reference_0050.html (cam.start.canon, verified 2026-07-11)
- Nikon SB-700: https://www.nikonusa.com/p/sb-700-af-speedlight/4808/overview (nikonusa.com, verified 2026-07-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/camera-flashes/canon-speedlite-el-5-vs-nikon-sb-700/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Canon Speedlite EL-5 ($349) vs Nikon SB-700 ($299.95) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/camera-flashes/canon-speedlite-el-5-vs-nikon-sb-700/
License: CC BY 4.0.