If you need soft, adjustable lighting with a focus on versatility, a fresnel light may be more suitable. If you require precise control over the light beam, sharp edges, and the ability to project patterns, an ellipsoidal light may be the better choice.

Like the PAR can, the Fresnel’s beam is soft-edged. The Fresnel does not have as a large a throw however, and is used in the theatre primarily for general illumination where beam shape is not important and backlighting. The ellipsoidal, or ERS or Leko, is another common theatre light source.