The type of very bright flash unit found in most standalone digital cameras, and some higher-end camera phones.

Xenon flashes are generally much brighter than the LED type found in many camera phones.

A xenon flash consists of a small glass tube filled with xenon gas. When a very high voltage current of electricity is applied, the tube emits a very bright - but very brief - flash of white light.

This brief "strobe" of light is good for "freezing" motion in still photos, reducing blur. However it also means xenon flashes cannot be used to illuminate video capture.