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 video from the market. extreme conditions. It’s not for nothing that the action Xiaomi cameras Yi is called the Hero GoPro killer.

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 pricing 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 for 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

Xiaomi Yi action camera, priced at Russian market is 5500 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, to control you will need a 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 to save the video stream in high quality requires a lot of mobile platform resources. 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-wheeler vehicle It's 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.

The Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Travel action camera is specially designed for all fans of extreme sports and people leading an active lifestyle. The device's parameters allow it to be used in almost any shooting conditions and guarantee the production of vivid and memorable videos. In our review, you'll find out what this model is capable of and why it's called the "little GoPro killer."

Rich equipment

Despite the modest design of the packaging, which is gray cardboard box, there is an impressive set inside.

In addition to the camera itself, the user will find a microUSB-USB cable, instructions in Chinese and, most importantly, a proprietary monopod, thanks to which it is possible to create high-quality selfies. The length of the monopod is 71 centimeters, and the presence of an auto-start option significantly expands the photography possibilities.

Appearance and design features

The device amazes with its size, because the dimensions are only 21.2x60.4x42 mm, i.e. slightly larger than a regular matchbox. The body is made entirely of durable plastic that can withstand minor mechanical loads.

On the front side there is a wide-angle lens, next to it there is an on/off button, which is also used to select shooting modes. There is an indicator light around the button that shows the battery charge level. If blue is on, then the battery is 50-100% charged, lilac - 15-49%, red indicates a critical charge level (0-14 percent).

On the back there are two covers. The first hides a battery with a capacity of 1100 mAh, and under the second there is a slot for a microSD memory card, microUSB and mini-HDMI connectors. But there is no screen in the Xiaomi YI Action Camera Travel action camera, since all control of the device and its settings are carried out through a proprietary application.

On the top edge there is a start/stop button for recording video or taking photos. There is an indicator next to it that lights up red during shooting. There is also a microphone on top.

The Wi-Fi power key is located on the left side, and there is also a status indicator next to it.

There is a special threaded hole at the bottom for attaching additional accessories, including a monopod. With its help, you can mount the camera on a helmet, bicycle, motorcycle, quadcopter and other equipment.

What's inside

Surprisingly, Xiaomi developers managed to put solid “filling” into a miniature case, which guarantees high-quality photo and video files. This:

• 16 megapixel Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor with f/2.8 aperture. It allows you to receive video in FullHD format at a speed of 60 fps, and if 960p resolution is used, the speed indicators already increase to 120 fps;
• Ambarella A7LS GPU, which is considered one of the best microprocessors for solving image processing tasks;
• 155° wide-angle lens with aspherical lenses, the use of which allows you to obtain fantastic panoramic photos;
• Built-in motion filter and 3D noise stabilizer, which are responsible for clear video even in strong shaking conditions.

And with the help of H.264 encoding, each frame is recorded correctly and clearly. Video recording is possible in four modes: normal, while driving, while moving high speed and at maximum acceleration.

Management organization

As mentioned above, the YI Action Camera Travel Edition is not equipped with a screen, so setup is done through a special application for YI action cameras. It installs quickly and easily on your smartphone. To synchronize with the camera, you need to activate Wi-Fi on it, and press the Connect button in the program. All further operations are performed automatically; upon completion, the device settings menu will appear on the display.

After this, the user can not only take photos and shoot videos in real time, but also perform the following actions:

• Determine the quality and standard of recording;
• Make a time stamp;
• Select photography modes;
• Perform data backup;
• Perform preview, i.e. view a panorama of the upcoming shooting;
• Post your photos and videos on the Internet, etc.

Main characteristics

Is YI Action Camera Travel Edition worth buying?

Using the device, you can create expressive photographs and clear and bright videos. Miniature dimensions combined with powerful hardware make the device one of the best in its class, and the ability to use various accessories, including an aquabox, significantly expands the scope of its application. And one more nice bonus– the cost of the product is significantly lower in comparison with similar models from other manufacturers, while in terms of workmanship, Xiaomi products are in no way inferior to their main competitors.

Xiaomi products have always prevailed due to their low price and ability to successfully copy competitors. The cheapest fitness bracelet on the market, an inexpensive power bank, which is not a shame to give to the owner of an expensive flagship, a worthy copy of the iPhone with the price tag of mid-range A-brands - it is thanks to the combination of its cheapness and quality, unusual for Chinese technology, that the company managed to gain its popularity and third place in the list of leading smartphone manufacturers.

Yi Camera continues this pattern. It's half the price of the GoPro Hero and yet no worse. For $65, you get an action camera with a GoPro design, a 16-megapixel Sony Exmor R sensor, a wide-angle lens (155°) and the ability to shoot Full HD at 60 fps with digital stabilization and noise reduction. It's also worth noting that Hero, for example, only records video at this frame rate with the resolution set to 720p.

It is not surprising that the new product received exactly the same waterproof case for underwater photography as the Hero. The characteristics are the same: 40 meters of guaranteed protection against moisture. The Yi Camera's battery is only 100 mAh inferior to that of its competitor.

As a result, the only aspects in which Yi Camera frankly loses GoPro Hero, is a fleet of accessories and availability outside of China. Both one and the second drawback are a matter of time. Xiaomi has already announced the release of various mounts, among which it will be possible to find those even for pets, and the opening of an international online store will certainly not be shelved by management.

Sony X1000V

If Xiaomi Yi Camera is still a competitor to the basic model of the GoPro camera line, then the completely fresh Sony X1000V will become an excellent alternative top Black. 4K shooting, Full HD 120p, professional file formats, high bitrates, continuous and time-lapse shooting, waterproofing, shock resistance and the ability to dive to a depth of 60 meters using a special case - all this is available in the flagship from Sony.

At the same time, the X1000V will cost you $80 less than the GoPro Hero Black, and the combination of the Exmor R sensor with an ultra-wide-angle fast ZEISS Tessar lens (170°) and the new powerful BIONZ X processor will allow you to get results that are definitely not inferior to those of GoPro. In addition, as an accessory to the X1000V, you can purchase a remote control that will allow you to control the shooting process from five different action cameras at once. The only thing that plays in favor of the eminent competitor is the wide selection of various accessories.

SJCam SJ5000 Plus

If you don’t have an extra $500, but want to buy a good and cheap action camera that shoots no worse than the top model of the previous generation GoPro, then you can pay attention to another Chinese competitor. SJCam SJ5000 Plus is a set of a 16-megapixel sensor from Panasonic, a not very fast, but ultra-wide-angle lens (170°) and the ability to shoot Full HD 60 fps or 720p at 120 fps. At the same time, the creators of the camera quite successfully managed to apply theoretical characteristics in practice - the SJ5000 Plus actually records video quite well.

You can monitor the shooting process from a small TFT screen located on the back of the camera. Such a gadget will cost at the same level as the budget Hero ($160), while possessing an impressive set of supplies, as well as a completely identical design.

Editor's Choice

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (Basic Edition) Review: GoPro “Killer”

The tech world is abuzz about the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera.

This is the first brainchild in the video camera niche of the Chinese smartphone manufacturer.

The moniker most often used in these rumors is the GoPro Killer, but is it really justified?

For a long time, this niche was occupied only by a few proven manufacturers, including Olympus and Sony.

But it's time for change. Xiaomi released their device in this segment.

Camera on a Budget

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera is a low-budget camera.

By purchasing it, the user gets the opportunity to record video in 2K format and create 16 megapixel photos.

The inevitable popularity of this copy was preceded by massive advertising, paid press releases and publications by bloggers.

Many noted that for such a brand the price is simply minimal.

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera is a lightweight video camera; it records video in Full HD format with a resolution of 30 and 60 fps.

In addition, it can take 16 megapixel photos.

Its big advantage is its price.

Yi cameras come in two different versions:

• Standard (Basic edition)
• For travelers (Travel)

The only difference between these revisions is that in the Travel package, the user receives a very neat one.

It doesn't creak, doesn't fall apart, and looks very stylish.

Specifications

• Lens: 16MP CMOS F2.8 155° wide angle
• Sensor: Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS 16 million pixels
• Dimensions: 6 x 2.1 x 4.2 cm / 2.36 x 0.83 x 1.65 inches
• Memory: Micro SD, cards up to 64GB supported
• Video system: PAL, NTSC
• Video format: MP4
• Sound: 96KHz 2 channels, 92dBA noise reduction system
• Battery 1010mAh
• Charger: USB when connected to a PC or via the included AV adapter
• Modules: Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi
• Photo format: JPEG
• Selfie Timer: 1-15 sec
• Time interval: 0.5/1/2/5/10/30/60 sec

Even at first glance, we can say that the characteristics look impressive.

And the developer offers all this to potential buyers for only $89

Equipment

As soon as you open the box of Xiaomi Yi Action Camera, this is what you get:

• 1x Xiaomi Yi Action Camera
• 1x USB to microUSB cable (used for charging and syncing with PC)
• 1x 1100 mAh battery

Design

Many adherents of this gadget often call the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera the “Chinese Apple”.

Their directors are named as follows. The same pedantry, the same attention to detail.

Parallels are often drawn between these two personalities.

The minimalistic approach is visible even in a simple cardboard box.

The USB cable and battery are neatly packed in an inconspicuous compartment.

When it comes to color choice, the device comes in three colors:

• Green
• White
• Black

It's a shame, but I wish there was more variety in the color selection.

The brightest among them is green.

White looks simple and is suitable for those who prefer minimalism.

But it’s worth saying right away that this is a very easily soiled color, so be prepared to wipe your pet frequently.

And connoisseurs of strict forms and classics will certainly choose a black set.

It's quite solid and feels like it's made from quality materials both inside and out.

This sets it apart from cheaper analogues.

Main disadvantage

The company sacrificed functionality by abandoning the LCD screen.

Yes, for many this is a significant drawback, but it is worth noting that such a detail can significantly increase the cost of the camera.

There is now a solution for connecting external LCD displays.

In addition, you can connect an external battery, which will double the recording time.

All settings in the camera can only be changed when connected to a computer.

So before you start using it, you need to download it, connect the camera to your PC and configure it.

You can, of course, use the camera this way, but all the functionality will not be available.

Dimensions and weight

The device measures 60.4mm x 21.2mm x 42mm and weighs only 72 grams when fully assembled.

They are a little heavier than similar camcorders, especially when compared to the SJ4000 and SJCAM M10.

Lens and sensors

The Ambarella A7LS is responsible for photo processing; in the kit, the user receives a Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS 16 MEGA Pixels sensor and an ST 3-Axis G-sensor.

Buttons and ports

The camera does not have many buttons and ports; you can figure them out in the first 10-15 minutes.

Buttons, Ports and LED Indicators

• The button on the front is the power on/off button. Allows you to turn the camera on or off, and also switch modes.
• The button on top is the shutter button, when pressed it will take a photo or start/stop video recording.
• On the side there is a button that turns WiFi on/off

• 1/4″ Tripod port
• Micro SD card slot
• USB port (charging, connection to PC)
• HDMI port (for transferring images and videos to TV)
• Battery clamp (press to open battery compartment)

Indicators

• LED indicators (indicate whether recording is currently in progress or not. The round indicator changes color as the battery drains)

Video

The colors look quite natural. The images are decent and much sharper than the video. Even when the camera is turned on directly in the sun, the colors do not darken.

The 16-megapixel CMOS sensor from Sony ensures that you get quality photos even on a bright sunny day.

Many analogues produce a darker image. The Xiaomi Yi Action Camera has very natural brightness.

Time-lapse photography

The camcorder has a time-lapse mode. This setting can be set via the application.

Basically it allows your device to continuously take photos at an interval that you set. You can set the time interval to 0.5/1/2/5/10/30/60 seconds.

For example, you can set the time period to 5 seconds (this is the time that is used most often).

I would like the camera itself to take frame-by-frame photos from your photos, but unfortunately this option is not provided.

If you look at it technically, you can set the indicator to 2 hours (10800 seconds) and set the shooting interval to 10 seconds.

At 1080p 60 fps, you will get 18 seconds of time-lapse video. It's not as difficult as it sounds, you can see plenty of video tutorials on YouTube on how to create this kind of video.

Self-timer

Time-lapse shooting and self-timer are different functions. Time-lapse photography is a constant number of photographs.

The camera will work continuously for a set interval of time, and the self-timer takes just one photo after a certain period of time.

The timer allows you to set a delay before taking one single photo.

This is a useful option for group photos, where you can place the Yi Action Camera on a stand and it will automatically take the photo.

The timer can be set to 3, 5, 10 and 15 seconds

Snapshot

Snapshot is probably the least useful feature for any photographer.

Using the Snapshot function, you can create a short animation with a ridiculous resolution of 640 x 480 / 4:3 / 30p.

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