Sekonic vs Kenko Light Meters: Which to Buy?
By Borge's Imaging — Shop Photography, Printing and Studio Gear in Melbourne Borge's Imaging | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: Buying Guides
Compare Sekonic and Kenko light meters for studio and field use. Find out which meter fits your photography or video workflow.
Quick answer
Choose a Sekonic meter for reliable ambient and flash metering in photography or video, and pick the Kenko KFM-2200 when you need a combined spot and flash meter with a viewfinder.
Analog simplicity vs digital versatility
The Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III is an analog incident meter that needs no battery, making it a reliable choice for studio strobe setups where you want a simple, always-ready reading. Its classic design is easy to read at a glance, but it cannot measure flash or reflected light.
In contrast, the Sekonic Flashmate L-308X packs ambient, flash, and reflected metering into a compact digital body. It offers a cine mode and customizable LCD, so it suits both still photographers and videographers who need flexibility on location.
When you need a spot meter
The Kenko KFM-2200 Flash Meter includes a 1° spot viewfinder with diopter adjustment, letting you measure precise areas of a scene. It also offers incident metering with a spherical 270° diffuser and flash sync via a terminal. This makes it a strong choice for product or landscape photographers who want one meter for both spot and flash work.
If you rarely need spot metering, the Sekonic L-308X's 40° reflected mode may be enough, saving you money and bulk.
Video-specific metering
The Sekonic i-346 ILLUMINOMETER is designed purely for video production, measuring lux or foot-candles in single, continuous, and delayed modes. It is not intended for photographic use, so skip it if you need f-stops or flash metering. Its wide range (2.50 lx to 200,000 lx) covers most studio and location lighting scenarios.
Decision rules
- You need a battery-free analog meter for studio strobes: Choose the Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III. It provides incident readings without batteries and is a trusted classic.
- You want a compact all-rounder for ambient, flash, and reflected metering: Choose the Sekonic Flashmate L-308X. It covers stills and video with cine frame rates and a clear LCD.
- You need a spot meter with flash capability: Choose the Kenko KFM-2200 Flash Meter. Its 1° viewfinder and flash sync make it a versatile studio tool. Check if the 1° spot angle suits your typical shooting distance.
- You only meter light for video production: Choose the Sekonic i-346 ILLUMINOMETER. It reads lux and foot-candles with dedicated video modes. This meter is not suitable for photographic f-stop metering.
Product highlights
- Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III Light Meter: An Industry Classic Meter — Analog Metering — No Battery Required You never worry about dead batteries, making it ideal for long studio sessions or backup use.
Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III Light Meter - Sekonic Flashmate L-308X Light Meter: Three meters in one — Incident Metering for Ambient & Flash — 40° Reflected Light Metering Range: 0 to 19.9 EV at ISO 100 It replaces multiple tools, covering ambient, flash, and reflected readings in a single compact body.
Sekonic Flashmate L-308X Light Meter - Kenko KFM-2200 Flash Meter: Incident and Reflected Light Measurement — Flash Metering and Sync Terminal — Spot Angle of 1° — Viewfinder with Diopter Adjustment The built-in spot viewfinder lets you meter distant or small subjects without a separate attachment.
- Sekonic i-346 ILLUMINOMETER: Measures lux or foot-candle — Single, Continuous & Delayed modes — Wide measuring range, 2.50 lx to 200,000 lx — Not designed for photographic use It is purpose-built for video lighting control, so photographers should choose a different model.
Which meter fits your work?
Best for
- Photographers who want a simple, battery-free incident meter for studio strobes (Sekonic L-398A)
- Versatile shooters needing ambient, flash, and reflected metering in one compact body (Sekonic L-308X)
- Photographers who require a spot meter with flash sync and a viewfinder (Kenko KFM-2200)
- Video professionals who need lux/foot-candle readings (Sekonic i-346)
Not for
- Anyone who needs flash metering should skip the Sekonic L-398A and i-346
- If you rarely use spot metering, the Kenko KFM-2200 may be more than you need
