Godox Launches the KNOWLED MG4KR, a Full-Color LED Rival to 4K HMI

Godox is elevating its position in the professional lighting market with the introduction of the KNOWLED MG4KR, a colossal, full-color Chip-on-Board (COB) light designed to deliver an astounding level of illumination. This fixture achieves an output claimed to be 225,100 lux at 3 meters when paired with the proprietary MGR20 reflector, a specification that firmly places it in the high-output class traditionally occupied by a 4K HMI fixture. Crucially, the MG4KR brings modern advantages to this performance class, including expansive color capabilities with 91% Rec.2020 coverage and an IP65-rated weather-resistant housing. This combination allows cinematographers to reliably simulate bright sunlight without concern for adverse exterior conditions such as rain.

Advancing the KNOWLED Ecosystem The Shenzhen-based Godox, originally known for photography flashes, has rapidly emerged as a significant provider of affordable, high-performance LED video lighting, offering a compelling alternative to established brands. The MG4KR builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, the MG4K, which was first showcased at IBC 2025. The MG4KR takes the exceptional output of the MG4K and integrates a full-color engine, significantly expanding its creative utility.

The key advancement is the incorporation of full RGB control across a wide Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) range of 1,800K to 10,000K. This includes precise green and magenta shift adjustments, alongside the 91% coverage of the cinematic Rec.2020 color space. This blend of daylight COB punch and color flexibility allows lighting technicians to either accurately match existing practicals or construct complex, saturated looks when necessary. Godox has also enhanced the cooling system to ensure superior long-term stability for extended professional use. The fixture maintains compatibility with the existing G-Mount ecosystem, ensuring that previous investments in modifiers remain functional.

Unprecedented Practicality for Production The practical features of the MG4KR are particularly noteworthy. The IP65 weather resistance is a monumental benefit, eliminating the operational stress historically associated with using non-weatherized high-output fixtures on exterior sets. The ability to deploy a believable 'fake sun' without managing the bulk and fragility of a traditional HMI lamp head and its heavy ballast represents a major logistical improvement for crews.

The light offers flexible and straightforward control options. It can be integrated into professional systems via DMX, CRMX wireless control, or Ethernet. For quick setups, the fixture supports both the Godox KNOWLED App for CRMX configurations and the standard Godox Light App, which uses Bluetooth and NFC pairing for rapid deployment. The fixture also incorporates a high-speed mode that ensures flicker-free operation, making it ideal for tabletop photography, product shots, or any cinematography captured at elevated frame rates. The light boasts high-accuracy color rendering, with a CRI of 97 and TLCI of 96, and provides four distinct dimming curves along with 14 built-in special effects modes.

Despite its compact design relative to HMI units, the MG4KR is still a substantial fixture. The light head itself weighs 50.7 lb (23 kg), and the separate power and controller unit contributes additional bulk, positioning its footprint closer to a large HMI head than smaller LED COB units like the Aputure 600D or Nanlite 1200. However, its immense brightness and flexibility make it suitable for a vast array of demanding applications, including large-scale exterior work, commercials, virtual production stages, and independent films. Any scenario that previously mandated a 4K HMI or multiple bi-color LEDs can now be streamlined with the operational efficiency of this single, powerful fixture.