Xiaomi YI action camera review. Affordable solution. Russified user manual for Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Characteristics of xiaomi action camera

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.

There is a hole with a tripod thread at the bottom end. 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.

Extreme sports are a new fashion trend that is preferred by a large number of people of different age categories. Such an adventure is often accompanied by colorful photographs depicting an impressive jump from a height, a trip on skis or a snowboard, or an original trick on a skateboard. Today there is no need to carry bulky cameras - all you need is a Xiaomi Yi. An action camera allows you to take a photo in any, even the most extreme conditions!

More details about the device

Xiaomi Yi Action offers high-quality gadgets with excellent characteristics. The device is capable of operating in the following modes:

Professional photography, ideal for capturing fast-moving objects;
Shooting for every day;
Sports mode;
Shoot in slow motion for fast-moving subjects.

The user has access to remote control of the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera. To interact with the gadget, you can use a remote control that works via Bluetooth technology.

K e Xiaomi Yi cameraYou can additionally purchase accessories that make the operation of the device as comfortable as possible. This new product from the Chinese manufacturer is not afraid of dirt, moisture, or temperature changes, so it is suitable for shooting in the summer and winter seasons, giving a lot of pleasant minutes! The unique case material reliably protects all camera components from overheating. Shoot a video yourself or with friends and share interesting footage on social networks! The Xiaomi Yi camera is able to satisfy the needs of the most demanding and discerning users!

Who will like Xiaomi Yi Camera

Anyone can buy Xiaomi Yi. It will be a useful gift in honor of a special event or without it. The gift will not go unclaimed. The Xiaomi action camera will appeal to those users who lead a sedentary lifestyle - an excellent motivation for the owner to try cycling, swimming and other sports. The manufacturer has done everything necessary - the consumer receives a high-quality Xiaomi Yi Action for relatively little money and can comfortably use a device of this type.

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All buyers know that a monopoly in the electronics market is not welcome. Therefore, it is not surprising that the world-famous action camera Hero GoPro has a worthy competitor, which will be discussed in this article. Chinese mobile equipment manufacturer Xiaomi Yi presented to the public its product, which claims to displace the world's best camera for shooting in extreme conditions from the market. It’s not for nothing that Xiaomi Yi action cameras are called Hero GoPro “killers”.

Company pricing policy

It’s better to start with the fact that Xiaomi is considered a serious Chinese brand. For comparison: the world-famous manufacturer Lenovo is inferior in quality and price to all products released under the Xiaomi brand. Therefore, the opinion that a digital camera for shooting in extreme conditions produced by the Chinese is of poor quality is erroneous.

All Xiaomi products are manufactured at the Foxconn plant. This company produces high-quality computer and network equipment. One of the lines of the enterprise produces world-famous Apple products: iPhone, iPad, Iwatch and iPod.

As for the affordable cost of all Xiaomi products, everything is simple here - experts assure that in the pricing of Chinese goods there are no costs for advertising and maintaining the brand. The company is young (on the market since 2010), so purchasing power is attracted by reducing the cost of high-quality goods.

Xiaomi Yi action cameras: first acquaintance

The Chinese somehow strangely decided to remove their competitor Hero GoPro from the market. Having recreated the device in a durable case, endowing it with enormous functionality and an affordable price, the manufacturer did not worry about the configuration of the action camera. An ordinary gray cardboard box, without any identification marks, evokes strange feelings in all buyers. And the equipment can completely upset the future owner: camera, battery, monopod tripod, interface cable and instructions in Chinese.

No mounts or boxes for underwater photography, not to mention a regular strap for transporting a digital device. Naturally, the manufacturer promises to correct the defect, but this statement is unlikely to help the camera owner. On the other hand, many users believe that additional accessories are unnecessary, because most athletes already have reliable fastenings and no one wants to overpay for additional equipment.

Appearance

The Xiaomi Yi action camera, the price of which on the Russian market is 5,500 rubles, has miniature dimensions (two matchboxes superimposed on each other). But even such a small device, the manufacturer managed to provide external beauty and create all the convenience for the user. On the main panel of the camera, the owner will find a built-in lens and a large power button. Just one click is enough to switch photo and video modes. There are LEDs around the button that inform the user about the battery charge.

At one end of the camera there is a button to turn on the Wi-Fi module with an activity indicator. At the bottom, the manufacturer has placed a mount that has a threaded connection and is adapted for a monopod tripod. On the back wall of the device, the user will find a compartment for installing a battery, as well as a panel for installing a memory card and connecting interface cables.

Autonomy

The built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 1010 mAh is enough for one and a half hours of video shooting. The figure is small, but, taking into account the physical size of the portable camera, it still commands the respect of others, judging by the reviews of the owners. It's funny that it also takes 1.5 hours to charge the battery. Naturally, in order to extend the shooting, the user will need a spare battery. The only thing that confuses me is underwater photography - you won’t be able to replace the battery without going to the surface, and the gadget doesn’t have a secure interface for connecting additional power.

Create high-quality photos

A 16-megapixel sensor guarantees the future owner the creation of decent photographs, and the wide-angle lens of the built-in lens (155 degrees) provides an excellent choice of exposure both outdoors and in a darkened room. In addition, the manufacturer installed photosensitive Sony Exmor, which will have a positive effect on photo and video shooting of objects in poor lighting. In fact, Xiaomi Yi camera is a high-quality digital camera, only reduced several times. Matrix, sensor, control buttons and lens - a complete set for creating a regular camera.

Full video shooting

The Xiaomi Yi Sport action camera can shoot video in HD and FullHD formats. This serious statement from the manufacturer is confirmed by all device owners in their reviews. However, there are disadvantages that future owners should be aware of. Firstly, the manufacturer was silent about the frame rate when shooting video. Thus, in FullHD format, the gadget can shoot at a frequency not exceeding 50 frames per second. For normal shooting of dynamic objects, this is quite enough, but for a photographer who is on the move, this frame rate will not be enough to obtain a high-quality video.

Xiaomi Yi action cameras support the H.264 codec and save video in MP4 format. In fact, the manufacturer managed to achieve a golden mean in processing the video stream - getting a small output file without loss of quality. Judging by the reviews of the owners, this is one of the main advantages of this device.

Handheld camera display

Many users may find it strange that the action camera does not have an LCD screen. At first it looks wild and from the outside resembles shooting with an old film camera, where you can see the results of the work only after developing the photographs. Okay, underwater photography - you can’t see through anything anyway, but how to choose the right exposure in nature?

It's all very simple. It’s enough to remember the company’s other products - most of them are controlled using the Android operating system (Xiaomi fitness bracelet, watches, acoustics, headphones). A digital camera is no exception; the user only needs to connect the device via Wi-Fi to any phone. Naturally, for management you will need proprietary software, which can be downloaded from the Play Market store completely free of charge.

Covert surveillance camera

The Xiaomi Yi product - camera - will be of interest not only to fans of extreme sports, but also to people whose work or hobby is inextricably linked with observation. The miniature camera can be placed anywhere and discreetly observe any living organisms. The footage does not have to be downloaded from a memory card or transferred to a computer via an interface cable. A wireless connection allows you not only to control the action camera and observe the subject, but also to download the footage directly to a device running the Android operating system. If the issue of autonomous power supply for the device were resolved, the camera would have no price at all. At least that’s what all the owners think, judging by their reviews.

System Performance

There is no need to think that a miniature device has a small processor installed. Xiaomi Yi action cameras are equipped with a powerful crystal, because maintaining a high-quality video stream requires a lot of resources from the mobile platform. The same applies to RAM with a video adapter and a wireless module - in terms of performance, an action camera is not much inferior to a modern mobile phone.

It is worth noting that the sound adapter present in the camera has its own processor for processing sound, which has a positive effect on the operation of the entire system. The sound card has a built-in noise reduction system, can automatically adjust microphone sensitivity and records sound in stereo mode.

Professional use

The lack of optical stabilization in the Xiaomi Yi device causes dissatisfaction among many buyers. After all, using the camera as a video recorder in a car or when traveling off-road on a two-wheeled vehicle is simply impossible. This is a serious flaw of the manufacturer. Even though the camera test in extreme conditions (biking, parachuting or ice skating) demonstrates acceptable high-resolution video shooting, camera shake is still noticeable.

The action camera behaves quite strangely in winter conditions. The plastic case of the device does not protect the battery from the cold. As a result, instead of an hour and a half video, users manage to shoot only 30-40 minutes of video material in twenty-degree frost. This is a very low figure.

Finally

Xiaomi Yi action cameras are a desirable purchase for many users who decide to capture the pleasant moments of their lives in extreme conditions. Low cost, portability, convenient functionality and a wide range of capabilities can attract many buyers to the new product. There are, of course, shortcomings, but many camera owners simply turn a blind eye to them, because Xiaomi Yi does not have many competitors in the electronics market - the nearest Hero GoPro costs 5 times more and is not much different in functionality from the Chinese product.

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With the Xiaomi Yi 2 action camera, the Chinese company Xiaomi has once again proven that it can take the best and develop its own improved version, but cheaper.

Xiaomi Yi 2 Camera - Reviews

In this case, with the new sports camera Xiaomi Yi 2, the Chinese manufacturer has released an action camera, which, according to it, is no different from the GoPro 4. Let's find out if this is true?

Characteristics of Xiaomi Yi 2

Sensor: Sony IMX377,
Processor: Ambarella A9SE75,
Lens: F2.8, 160th,
Battery 1400 mAh 3.8V,
Touch screen: 2.19 inches (640 x 360, 330PPI)
FOV: F2.8 - 155 degrees,

Permission:

4K (3840 x 2160) - 25 frames per second (FPS),
Ultra 4K (3840 x 2160) – 25 frames per second (FPS),
5K (2560 x 1920) - 25 fps,
1440 (1920 x 1440) – 25 FPS / 50 FPS,
1080 (1920 x 1080) – 25 FPS / 50 FPS / 100 FPS,
1080 Ultra (1920 x 1080) – 25 FPS / 50 FPS / 100 FPS,
960 (1280 x 960) – 50 FPS / 100 FPS,
720 (1280 x 720) - 200 frames per second (FPS),
720 Ultra (1280 x 720) – 50 FPS / 100 FPS,
480 (848 x 480) - 200 frames per second (FPS).

Excellent touch screen Xiaomi Yi 2

Let's start with the biggest advantage that came with the second version of Yi - the touch screen. In this case, GoPro was equipped with it only in the Silver version.

Upon closer inspection, we find that the screen responds to touches without any delay, using the Yi 2 camera is a real pleasure compared to the need to run special applications on other similar devices.

Adding a screen makes the camera much more versatile, which saves battery - both on the camera and on the phone, and also changes the way you use the Xiaomi Yi 2.

Previously, I didn't want to check how well the image was captured because it took so much time. Now, simply and easily, I can make selections and change settings on the fly.

Unfortunately, the screen of the Xiaomi Yi 2 is very difficult to read under direct strong light.

Very good photos

Xiaomi's new sensor has a lower resolution (12 vs 16 MP), but it gives a surprisingly detailed experience for a small camera.

Quite often and unfortunately, sun glare gets in, and the algorithms work very aggressively in low light conditions.

The Xiaomi Yi 2's camera is thankfully free of the focus hassle that plagued many of its predecessor models. Sometimes I had to open the case and adjust the lens. Now everything works perfectly, from the moment I took the gadget out of the box.

Available modes include shooting (up to 10 frames per second), as well as the ability to take still photos while recording video, but only at 2.5K resolution.

In the settings you can disable fisheye mode for both photos and videos.

Xiaomi Yi 2 video quality

The video from the Yi 2 camera can be briefly assessed as decent. It's quite detailed and the colors are rich thanks to its unique dynamic range. Unfortunately, you may see a lot of aberration.

Xiaomi Yi 2 also allows you to set the shooting time, recording at tempo, or slow motion 120 frames per second, but only in HD.

Unfortunately, the image stabilization was very disappointing. It drips with every movement, making stabilization almost useless.

Battery Xiaomi Yi 2

Continuous recording:

4K Ultra: 1 hour 52.5 minutes,
5K: 2 hours 8.7 minutes,
Ultra Full HD: 2 hours 20 minutes.

I'm very pleased with the Yi 2's 1400 mAh battery. The earlier model was not able to last a day on a single charge. Here I was able to do it without any problems.

Almost two hours of recording at the highest resolution is an excellent result, almost twice as long as the GoPro 4 Black. If someone doesn't have enough, you can buy a spare battery and easily replace it.

Disadvantages of Xiaomi Yi 2

So far, I've spent most of my time praising the new camera from China, but it's certainly not perfect.

Firstly, from time to time, strange errors occur, for example. When displaying a white image in picture mode while video mode works fine.
Secondly, the camera doesn't support SD cards with a capacity of 128GB or larger, meaning the maximum is 64GB, which can only hold 2.5 hours of 4K video.
Thirdly, there is only one button on the body, so if you want to switch modes, you must remove the camera from the body.
Fourthly, although the application itself works very well with the Xiaomi Yi 2 camera, I would add the ability to change it, since all the texts look like they were copied from the translator.

Accessories Yi 2

For testing, I had a waterproof case, and everything always worked in it without problems. To take selfies, I was also provided with a stick (monopod) made by Xiaomi, which can be easily unfolded, locked and shortened.

Is it worth buying Xiaomi Yi 2?

The action camera market is getting tougher. Sony, TomTom and Garmin have recently introduced interesting models of their cameras, some even record sound underwater. GoPro has always been the leader in this class, which unfortunately has led to high prices for their cameras. The Dearest Black version costs 530 euros, a slightly weaker version, but equipped with a screen, costs 430 euros, and the cheapest currently sells for 220 euros.

In the same time:

The Xiaomi Yi 2 camera gives you high-quality videos and photos, just like the GoPro Silver 4 version for 26,000, but its price is 16,000 rubles.

If this is your first action camera, I advise you to take a closer look at the Yi 2, you will not regret the money spent. But if you want razor-sharp images, I recommend looking at the GoPro 4 Black.

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