In the old days, or about 20 years ago, they used to call this a "potato masher" unit.

It's a proprietary flash, and there is no provision (neither a hot shoe nor a PC outlet) to use any other type of flash. That probably is because the designers didn't want to sully the clean lines of the Rollei QZ with some garish aftermarket black block sitting atop their creation.

Nor can you use it with another camera. Again, the designers probably saw no reason for you to mix and match the Rollei QZ equipment with your other photo gear. Additionally, Rollei probably expected most users to be part of an upscale audience, who probably couldn't be bothered with such things as buying a separate flash.

Whatever the reason, the flash is adequate for the intended audience. It comes with its own leather case.

For some photographers, it probably falls short, because it doesn't provide TTL output. And to use it for fill flash requires you to do some complex calculations. More likely, I'll probably just screw it on, turn it on and shoot and not worry about it.

Regardless, it offers a bit more than most upscale P&S cameras with its bounce options and relatively strong output. And because the actual flash tube sits above and to the right of the lens, incidents of red eye should be sharply reduced. That's always been a real problem for the pocket cameras, even though this isn't a pocket camera.

I took the camera to a party, and in a room lit only by candles, I took a lot of photos. Not one of the people had red eye, which surprised me.

Flash synch speed is 1/180, which offers the photographers a lot more possibilities for outdoor use. 

I'd really like it if the flash had an auto-off function, like the camera, so  you don't run down the rather expensive batteries. Note that the flash and camera use different types of batteries. The camera uses two CR2 cells, while the flash uses two CR123A batteries. The bottom of the flash unit unscrews and is an empty cap. I guess you could stuff a couple of dollars into it, if you needed to do that.

The flash attaches to the body by first plugging in a small corded plastic three-pin connector to the side of the camera and then turning a small knurled metal collar. It's difficult to tell when you should stop tightening the collar. A better approach would have been a bayonet push-and-turn device, but I see how the threaded collar offers better security.

With the flash attached, the camera becomes easier to hold and still looks attractive. The look of the camera with the flash gives it a paparazzi feel. You would look great photographing a Hollywood event. And you probably could get across "the rope" without any problems.