Review of the YI Action Camera Basic Edition: an inexpensive pass to the world of action cameras. Xiaomi YI action camera review

Comment Advantages: 1. A huge number of scripts - plugins that can change the picture to an incredibly high quality level, more on this below. 2. International version! Among the advantages of the international version over the Chinese one: 2.1. Battery 990 mAh from Sony in international versus Chinese 1010 mAh in Chinese. Guess which one lives longer? 990 mAh international! For about 20 minutes. There is a video test on YouTube upon request: Chinese vs International Version (black version) Now the Chinese versions have also begun to be equipped with 990 mAh batteries. 2.2. In the international version. The battery compartment cover with a metal plate, in theory, does a better job of cooling the battery. Now the Chinese versions have also begun to be equipped with such covers. But you can get into the old party. 2.3. Smartphone application in English and Russian. 2.4. It is believed that international versions are new batches of cameras with 100% corrected problems of previous versions! And the Chinese versions may be from old batches, because... have been around for quite a long time! 3. Size! She really is like a matchbox! I was pleasantly surprised! 4. There is an application made specifically for Xiaomi cameras, which allows you to flexibly manage settings and display the current camera recording mode. Connection to a smartphone via Wi-Fi. 5. The camera is literally hung with indicators of its operation. Front, back, side, bottom, everywhere there are diodes that make it clear what mode the camera is in. All this can be turned off in the settings through the application, and focus only on sound to save battery. 6. Car enthusiasts! It is possible to set up automatic video recording when the camera is turned on, and there is a cyclic shooting mode. Those. in fact, it is also a 60 FPS DVR. 7. Supports charging the camera via USB with the ability to continue recording. (You can use PowerBank when traveling) 8. Supports high-speed SDXC memory cards! Info below! Flaws: Before installing scripts! 1. Out of the box with factory settings, the camera takes decent pictures, but with very compressed quality, the full potential of which is hidden for some reason! The video is not 100% clear, the photo has watercolor elements in the background. Video bitrate is 25 Mbit/s with H264 codec level 4.2, which cannot but affect the quality. After installing the scripts, the camera shoots much better! 2. Sound. It is very quiet, records at a quality of 128 kbps 48 Khz and, surprisingly, in stereo (although the camera only has one mono microphone) 3. No display! It would be nice to have a tiny monochrome display to display the current state of the camera, instead of a bunch of diodes all over the camera. You don’t have to constantly think: “What mode is my camera in now?” (This is when taking photos and videos without a smartphone). Using a smartphone makes it much easier to control the camera, but the battery on the camera also drains faster. 4. The camera out of the box does not allow you to shoot long videos in one file, but splits long videos into several files of the maximum possible size for it. By default, this size is 2 gigabytes (expanded to 4Gb by scripts). Those. if you shot a video with a total of 8 gigabytes (30 minute video), then on the card you will see 2 files of 4 gigabytes each. Before installing the scripts, this would have been 4 files of 2 Gb each. Which you agree is not convenient. Comment: My opinion: 1. The quality of shooting, in my opinion, is many times better using scripts from the 4PDA forum and various other thematic resources on the camera. Their essence is simple: Scripts are simply launched by the camera from your memory card when the camera is turned on and do not affect the camera firmware. These are a kind of presets or, more simply put, equalizer settings. You can always remove them, and the camera will start with the settings from the manufacturer, as after purchase, or replace them with newer ones and continue experimenting with the quality. Using them you can: Increase the bitrate of video recording, change the color of the picture (warm-cold), white balance and other parameters. Everyone can find something for themselves. Xiaomi Yi SuperView Mod to help, and then see for yourself. The number of scripts is simply huge! 2. I do not recommend flashing the camera! 3. All these shortcomings - low bitrate, color balance, after installing the scripts are corrected, the camera begins to play with new colors! Namely, the video bitrate can be raised up to 50 Mbit/s with codec level 5.0, which will have a positive effect on the quality of the recording. Those. It's not a matter of the camera itself, but rather the settings specified by the manufacturer. After all, in reality the camera can and can do much more! 4. I consider the optimal bitrate for video to be 35 Mbit/s, but not 25 Mbit/s out of the box! 5. It is advisable to take an SDXC memory card for the camera with the ability to record at least 40 Mbit/s, at least class 10 UHC-I, otherwise, after installing scripts with the ability to record video with a high bitrate, the sound will lag! The version of my camera is Z23L and It is discussed on the forums that this revision is considered one of the best with excellent recording quality and no mistakes. So it is, the camera is really good, but I saw a video on YouTube of how the same Z22 shoots even more clearly than the Z23L. Fortunately, in any camera you can adjust the lens yourself, but the fact remains a fact! Happy shopping everyone!

• 1. Rating
• 2. Specifications
• 3. The equipment is modest for an action camera
• 4. Design - an allusion to GoPro with its own features
• 5. Lens – wide angle up to 155 degrees
• 6. Smartphone screen instead of display
• 7. Shooting video in resolutions up to Full HD
• 8. Taking a photo - frame in resolution up to 4K
• 9. Autonomy up to an hour of operation, you need a power reserve
• 10. Conclusions, pros and cons
• 11. Pros and cons

Lei Jun's company Xiaomi develops not only smartphones, but also many other gadgets, managing to maintain a low price with good quality. This commands respect, especially since the company does not have its own production. Since 2015, the company has entered the action camera market, literally blowing it up with its YI Action Camera box.

Chinese sites are packing packages by the thousands, bloggers are singing YI’s praises and calling it “the GoPro killer,” and enthusiasts are writing improving scripts for it and coding alternative firmware. What's good about this camera? Read the review.

Information about YI Action Camera Basic Edition

7.5 Evaluation

The equipment is modest for an action camera

The equipment of most action cameras is prepared for all occasions, but this is not the case with Xiaomi. The camera itself, a short flat USB micro-USB cable, instructions and a battery are enclosed in a strict box made of natural cardboard. This is not to say that this is bad, this is normal savings. Each owner knows why the device is being purchased and will purchase a selfie stick, windshield holder or cat mount separately.

The design is an allusion to GoPro with its own features

Externally, YI looks like a small parallelepiped measuring 60x42x21 mm and weighing 72 g, reminiscent of GoPro, but does not copy it. The body is made of matte plastic with corrugation, not soft-touch, but does not slip in your hands. The color of the shell is blue, the façade is yellow-green. There is also an inconspicuous white version on sale - it’s better not to take this one to the mountains, so as not to get lost in the snow. Although the plastic is quite durable, there is no special protection in the camera; you need to at least buy a silicone case, and for underwater photography - an aquabox.

On the front panel there is a lens and a large button for turning on and changing photo / video modes. The elegant glowing ring around it changes color depending on the remaining battery charge. The shutter button is in a place familiar to photographers—it starts or stops recording. The side contact controls the Wi-Fi module.

Appearance of YI Action Camera Basic Edition

Unlike GoPro, the 1/4" tripod thread is already built into the body and this is a big plus; no additional frames are needed; the mobile studio can start working immediately after mounting the camera on a monopod.

The left flap on the rear wall hides a micro-USB socket for charging, a micro-HDMI socket for an external screen, and a micro-SD card slot (supports up to 128 GB). A removable battery is hidden under the cover on the right.

Lens – wide angle up to 155 degrees

The YI Action Camera uses aspherical glass lenses to reduce aberrations at the edges of the frame. The field of view is 155 degrees.

This is not very much, but it beats any smartphone. When photographing a boat regatta, not only the rowers and helmsman, but also the dog will be in the frame. There is no optical image stabilization - this is the level of more expensive cameras. For filming in motion, it is recommended to purchase a stabilizer (steadicam) separately.

YI Action Camera Basic Edition Lens

Smartphone screen instead of display

The YI camera does not have its own display. On the one hand, this is good - there is no unnecessary energy consumption, the weight of the unit is reduced. On the other hand, when installing on a skateboard, there is a chance to miss and get a great video of the sneakers on the deck instead of a trick on the ramp. Therefore, a mobile application becomes an integral part of the Xiaomi ecosystem.

YI Action Camera mobile app interface

The program connects to the camera via Wi-Fi, shows a live stream from the sensor and a list of captured videos. All settings and remote control are also available here - it works at a distance of up to 100 meters.

Shooting video in resolutions up to Full HD

The Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor with a resolution of 16 MP is responsible for the formation of digital images. There are many video modes in the settings, the coolest is 1920x1080 (Full HD) at 60 frames per second. Note that the camera has difficulty operating this mode - it heats up like a stove, until the frames fall out, and drains the battery. It is recommended to reduce the frame rate to at least 30 frames. There is a high-speed shooting mode up to 240 frames per second, but the resolution is only 840x480 - you won’t want to watch it.

The YI sensor works well in bright light, but in the dark the picture turns out worse, matrix noise increases, and the image is blurred. There is also no stabilization provided; the vibrations of a bicycle or snowboard will be captured on video - a very unpleasant effect of a jerky picture.

The case has a built-in microphone for recording sound with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz. You can quickly listen to the recording through the built-in speaker. Unfortunately, the membrane catches wind and extraneous noise, resulting in a “dirty” sound. Before publishing a video, it is recommended to overlay a track from another source to avoid embarrassment.

Taking a photo - frame in resolution up to 4K

The YI action camera can work as a camera, with a maximum image resolution of up to 4608×3456 pixels—slightly larger than a full 4K frame. Suitable for printing on A4, but not up to A3. Photos in bright light are clear and high quality. A wide-angle lens captures both a group of tourists at a rest stop and a panorama of the river valley.

The time lapse mode with intervals of 0.5-60 seconds allows you to film slow processes - the movement of the sun, clouds over the city or the growth of mushrooms.

The self-timer makes it possible to film a group of tourists without forgetting the cameraman. If the camera is on a tripod, the set interval of 3 to 15 seconds is enough for everyone to gather in front of the lens.

This review began to be prepared in the spring of this year, almost together with the appearance of rumors about the second generation of the XIAOMI action camera. More than a year has passed since the start of sales of the XIAOMI Yi Action Camera, however, during this time this action camera has not lost its popularity and has managed to receive several major updates, acquire a branded line of accessories, and an army of third-party developers and users. For our part, we have gained experience in using this camera, plus we are preparing a review of the second generation (we have retail and engineering samples at our disposal). By the way, by the time this material on XIAOMI Yi Action Camera was published, readers could study in detail comparison between SJCAM M10 Plus and XIAOMI Yi .

Now there is fierce competition in this market segment, on the one hand, promoted by GoPRO with exorbitant price tags, on the other, there is a good choice from Chinese companies. As personal experience of use has shown, cameras from the “Chinese” are not inferior to GoPRO, and in some ways even superior. Speaking about accessibility, it is important to note that ordinary users actually have no opportunity to directly purchase XIAOMI Yi Action Camera; the purchase always goes through representatives (official and unofficial). The price tag will differ from the recommended one, for Russia the difference is more noticeable, but we will only present it; you can always choose an alternative yourself. The average cost, according to the Yandex.Market service, is 6,000 rubles.

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera review

Equipment

Supplied in a compact box made of unpainted cardboard. Minimum design and data on the action camera.

The XIAOMI Yi Action Camera package includes only a micro USB cable and instructions in Chinese. Compared to competitors' cameras, it's poor. There is a version of XIAOMI YI Action Camera Travel Edition, it comes with a monopod with wireless control.

Appearance

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera is made in a classic form factor with a rectangular body. Vaguely reminiscent of GoPRO design.

There are two color versions of the case: bright green and white (for the American market). Plus, it is possible to purchase replacement front panels; they come in the most daring colors and are inexpensive.

The main area of ​​the body has a matte finish, no fingerprints remain, and the camera does not slip out of your hands. Textured side edge for added grip.

On the front side there is a lens protruding above the surface of the body. A high-quality glass group is used. The outer lens is convex and will collect scratches if not used carefully.

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera is controlled using three buttons. On the top edge it starts shooting, on the front it turns on and switches photo/video mode. There is a compact Wi-Fi power button on the side. The sensitivity of the buttons is high; random activation was noticed while wearing it in a pocket.

The circle of the main button with a backlit area. The color changes depending on the current activity. Additionally, there is an LED indicator on each side for control. They light up red in video mode and blink in active shooting mode.

This is the only way to obtain information from the camera. XIAOMI Yi Action Camera does not have a display; to make settings and control the shooting angle, you will have to use an external smartphone or rely on your experience.

The place of the display is taken by a large battery compartment cover, secured with a latch. Hot replacement is not provided, but removal is not difficult. I recommend looking for extra batteries and a charging dock outside the camera.

Next to this compartment there is another plug, under which there is a slot for a micro SD, micro HDMI and micro USB memory card. An image is always supplied to the video output; when connected to an external monitor, a streaming image from the camera is displayed. There is an external battery pack with a screen that connects to these connectors.

This small cover is not attached to the main body in any way. It's very easy to lose her.

At the bottom end there is a hole with a tripod thread. Easier connection to monopods, tripods and mounts.

The camera's build is excellent, XIAOMI Yi Action Camera makes a good impression.

Water box

This accessory is sold separately. It not only protects the camera from damage, but also allows it to be submerged to a depth of up to 40 meters.

Filling

Hidden inside is the flagship Ambarella A7LS platform at the time of release. Matrix CMOS BSI Exmor R 1/2.3″ 16 MP. There is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

Settings and software

The customization options of XIAOMI Yi Action Camera are limited due to the lack of a display. From the camera itself you can only change the mode between video and photo shooting. To control, you will need to install a proprietary utility and you can connect to the camera via Wi-Fi.

The original version of the application is in Chinese, but thanks to the user community, there are assemblies translated into Russian. The manufacturer itself should have thought through this issue, taking into account the distribution of the camera around the world.

The application allows you to view the image from the camera in a stream, switch modes (time lapse, slow and fast shooting), and make settings.

The application is easy to understand and the interface is intuitive.

Testing

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera received a couple of major updates during testing. Since 2016, the settings have added the ability to shoot in 2K resolution; in some updates this is removed, leaving the maximum level at Full HD with 60 frames per second. There are third-party firmware online that support 4K at low bitrates. You can experiment if you wish. In our case, the factory firmware was installed without making manual edits. The videos below are shown without post-processing.

The camera lacks a full stabilization system. Otherwise, the picture looks detailed, the colors are close to natural.

Comparison of SJCAM M10 Plus and XIAOMI Yi Action Camera

Summary of XIAOMI Yi Action Camera

When making your final assessment of the XIAOMI Yi Action Camera, the first thing to consider is its cost. One of the most affordable cameras that shoots Full HD 60FPS and 2K video. She does it well, the videos have no noticeable flaws in the daytime. It offers the possibility of wireless connection to a smartphone and control from an external remote control. The advantages also include a pleasant appearance and the presence of a built-in screw fastening. The main limitation concerns the lack of a display and small things in the form of non-locking covers. The conditional disadvantages include the lack of official localization into Russian. There were no failures or problems recorded.

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Equipment and design

Video and photo

Application

Conclusion

The popularity of the Chinese brand Xiaomi is gaining momentum and, once again, manufacturers are pleased with a new product – the YI action camera. Today we will talk about it and compare it with the flagship GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition.

Equipment and design

The camera is sold in a thick cardboard box, standard for all Xiaomi devices, and comes complete with instructions, battery and charging cable. Xiaomi manufacturers, unlike GoPro, give you the opportunity to choose the color scheme. Either a light green turquoise body or a white one. We got the second option for testing.

In terms of size, the YI is slightly larger in length and width, the location of the lenses is different, so the possibility of using protective boxes and cases from GoPro immediately disappears, which is undoubtedly frustrating, because at the moment for Xiaomi there is only a monopod, which comes in the “Travel Edition” package.

There is no display here either, there is only an on/off button, which is also responsible for switching photo/video modes, a button to start recording and a button to turn on the Wi-Fi module.

You can change other camera settings and select modes only through your smartphone, using a special application, which we will talk about later. On the back of the camera, under the cover, there is a slot for micro SD cards with a capacity of no more than 128 GB and standard micro USB and micro HDMI connectors.

Like the GoPro, the cover is not secured in any way, so the likelihood of losing it is very high. At the bottom of the camera there is a standard mount for tripods and monopods - there are no problems with that. In the near future, both cases and waterproof boxes for Xiaomi will appear on sale, therefore, there is no reason to worry, everything has its time.

Video and photo

The most important and worrying question for everyone regarding the quality of photo and video shooting of the Xiaomi camera remains open. Will it be able to compete with the Hero4 SE or not? Let's try to figure it out!

The camera modes are very similar to each other. They have almost the same shooting characteristics, but in one thing Xiaomi is much inferior to GoPro: there is no 4K video shooting mode.

You cannot change the viewing angle on YI - you have to be content with a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees. There is also no analogue of the Protune mode, like on GoPro, but it will appear soon along with new firmware. There is no point in completely comparing these two cameras, since these are completely different price segments, but even at its price, Xiaomi is hot on the heels of GoPro.

Example video from Xiaomi YI:

Low light video:

The Yi camera is equipped with a 16-megapixel Sony sensor, which allows it to take photos at a resolution of up to 4608x3456 pixels and shoot Full HD video (1080p) at 60 frames per second. Not bad, right? But that’s not all: the sound is recorded in 2 channels (Stereo), there is a camera search function from the application and much more. If you compare two videos taken with our cameras in good lighting, few will notice the difference. Except that Xiaomi does not have image stabilization and night shooting modes.

Application

Currently, the Xiaomi app is only available on the Android platform and in Chinese-English language. The version is very crude, but manufacturers release updates almost every week, so soon everything will be finalized and made much more convenient. Unlike GoPro, where it is sometimes not necessary to use the application, here you can’t do it without a program. On the camera itself, you can only switch the video or photo mode, and inside the program you can adjust the frame rate and other important nuances.

The YiCamera app itself is more informative than the GoPro App. In the main menu, you can see the camera's charge level, call quality, and viewfinder device charge level. The photo/one-shot/video mode switch is at the top and switches instantly. If you dig deeper, in the settings you can set the desired mode, quality, viewing angle and type of shooting. There are several photo modes here and each is interesting in its own way. Photos with a timer, Timelapse and storyboard will help you take an unforgettable photo in any situation.

The application for Xiaomi, as well as for GoPro, has its own rating of the best videos. For now, this is all in Chinese and works only for China, but it will soon appear for other countries. There is also an online store where you can order a camera or accessories. Convenient, you can’t say anything, especially if you live in China.

Conclusion

This camera is suitable for both travelers and ordinary users who use conventional cameras. Nowadays, all video bloggers use action cameras to record videos “in the field,” so Xiaomi is ideal for them in all respects. It has a stylish design, good video and photo quality, stereo sound and a bunch of convenient features. Well, and most importantly: in comparison with its competitors, it is inexpensive.

| May 6, 2015 (No votes)

website The popularity of the Chinese brand Xiaomi is gaining momentum and, once again, manufacturers are pleased with a new product – the YI action camera. Today we will talk about it and compare it with the flagship GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition. Contents and design The camera is sold in a thick cardboard box, standard for all Xiaomi devices, and comes complete with instructions, battery and...