YI Technology YI overview
This is the review of the YI Technology Yi action camera. Let’s start saying this is probably the best budget action cam, we are indeed talking about a real gem sold at a very low price. Xiaomi enters the world of budget action cams, after taking a good share in the smartphone world offering quality devices at low price. As we will see in this review, this action cam records 2k 30fps or 1080p 60fps videos, with a very good quality, reaching GoPro 3+ quality, doing better than GoPro Hero, SJ4000 and 4000+ and SJ5000 +, its most direct competitors. At about 60$ you can buy a very good action cam with high quality video and photo results, a videocamera that records in 1080p and 2K, takes pictures at 16mpx with a sony sensor, with wifi and bluetooth, although she misses some feature, as we will see. With a firmware update in august 2015 it’s been introduced the possibility to record 2k videos, and now you can find new accessories (original or not) as the optional rear screen that can be connected to the cam and a more powerful 2400mAh battery.
August 2015 firmware update introduced 2k videos! A great upgrade that makes the Yi even more attractive, at only 70$ you get an action cam that records excellent 2k videos with natural colors and high sharpness and definition!
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YI Technology Yi specs
We’ll start our YI Technology Yi review analyzing the specifics of this budget action cam. This cam records videos with 2K resolution of 2304 × 1296 pixels with a frame rate of 30 fps and FullHD 1080p at 60fps . It’s video processor is Ambarella A7LS (the Yi Action Cam uses the same video processer manufacturer as GoPro, though it uses an Ambarella A7LS processor compared to the A9 chip in the HERO4 and the HERO3 Black’s A7), while the photo sensor is Sony Exmor R, 16 megapixel BSI, the same mounted in Sony action cams and some Sony camcorders, a sensor that takes pictures of exceptional quality, while the image processor is based on processor ARM 11 at 700 MHz that supports the resolution of 2k 30fps and Full HD at 60 FPS. The cam has both wifi and bluetooth, so with the official app you can stream your videos on your mobile phone. The Xiaomy Yi is sold in two colors, white and yellow + green (black is coming).
These are the full specifications:
- Video resolution 2k 2304×1296 pixel at 30fps or Full HD at 60 FPS
- Photo resolution 16Mpx
- Video sensor Ambarella A7LS
- Photographic sensor Sony Exmor R
- Processor ARM 11 at 700 Mhz
- WiFi and Bluetooth with official app for Ios and Android
- Aspherical f2.8 wide-angle lens with a 155-degree angle of view
- Optional waterproof case
- Shooting modes: single, timer, time-lapse from 0.5 to 60s, Burst Shot
- Loop recording every 5 minutes
- Panasonic 1010 mAh battery (up to 100minutes of recrding)
- Micro SD up to 128GB
- standard 1/4-20-inch tripod mount
- Micro-HDMI port supports live video output while recording to a microSD card
- Audio 2-channel stereo
- Mp4 AVC codec
- Weight: 69g
- Optional rear screen (produced by Pannovo) + optional battery 2400mAh
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Appearance and functions
As you can see from the image on the left, Xiaomi Yi does not have a LCD screen to see live what you’re recording. This can be bypassed through WiFi, you can stream on your smartphone using the Xiaomi app what you are recording , and watch recorded video clips. Pannovo also created a TFT monitor that connects to the back of the cam.
On the lower part of the cam ther’s a standard 1/4-20-inch tripod mount, where you can mount a tripod or any compatible docking, as an adapter for gopro through which you can use the Xiaomi Yi mounted on any GoPro accessory.
Behind a flap there’s the 1010mAh battery from panasonic. On the back, behind a second door, there are the connectors for micro USB port, micro HDMI and the hole for the microSD up to 128GB.
There are three buttons:
- Frontal for switching on/off
- On the top for shooting photos or start recording
- On the side for the activation of the wifi
There isn’t even a small LCD screen, so for any adjustment (resolution, mode in which you are located, etc.) you must use the application, which is actually very simple and intuitive and it works very well, allowing you to easily perform virtually every type of setting.
A waterproof case is not included, but you can buy it for a few dollars on Amazon.
A few days ago it was released an optional external LCD screen that connects to the rear of the cam to see what you are recording . It also comes with a more powerful battery of 2400mAh that can record longer videos. In addition to a new larger waterproof case where you can enter the cam with these new accessories. All at 48$. Now the Xiaoyi is really the most complete economic cam with the best video quality.
Wifi and dedicated App
As mentioned, the cam does not have any LCD screen, so you must use the app provided in the official website (for both Android and iOS) or in your playstore to set the webcam and see what you’re recording. The app is in English and other languages and is very well made, and often receives useful updates.
First you must enable wifi via the side button and wait until the LED flashes, then press the button for the application to connect to the cam. At this point you will see live in the app what the cam is recording – with a slight delay – in addition to three buttons, one for recording, one to open the gallery, and the upper one to set the mode: photos, videos or snapshot. You can see at any time the status of the battery of the smartphone and the cam, and the connection status. There’s also a button for the settings from which you can configure the resolution of the photo or video, the brightness, the photo mode, the exposure mode and other options. After configuring the cam through the application, the settings remain even if power is turned off and on again.
The default password to access the cam is 1234567890 and can be changed later
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YI Technology Yi vs SJ4000 vs GoPro Hero
Let’s do a comparison of the characteristics between these three action cam that are priced close to $ 100
 Xiaomi Yi |  Sj4000 |  GoPro Hero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video quality | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 2.5 / 5 |
| Max video resolution | 2k at 30fps or 1080p at 60 fps | 1080p at 30 fps | 1080p at 30 fps |
| Screen | Nessuno | Streaming + settings | Only for settings |
| WiFi | Yes + bluetooth | Yes (the wifi version) | No |
| Waterproof | With optional case | With included case | With non-removable case |
| Micro SD | Up to 64GB | Up to 32GB | Up to 32GB |
| Micro HDMI | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | 80$ | 80-90$ | 110-130$ |
| Xiaoyi Review | Xiaomi Yi Review | SJ4000 Review | – |
This cam is definitely superior to SJ4000 and GoPro Hero, then this great cam should be compared with the GoPro Hero 3 + Silver, which has the same sensor Ambarella A7LS and costs $ 325 or even with GoPro 4.
YI Technology Yi action camera review
As soon as you turn on the camera from the front button, the Yi enters automatically in the photo mode as default , pressing the power button again you change the mode to video , and 3 led will turn on, on the lower side, top and rear. You can still change these settings using the app, so that it will turn on automatically in video mode. Pressing the Record button at the top the 3 LEDs start to blink. The front button is surrounded by a LED that is blue when the battery is charging, it becomes pink and then red when it is depleted.
Finally let’s talk about video quality: it is excellent , especially considering the very low price of this action cam. With the 2015 August firmware it was introduced 2k resolution at 30fps making this action cam really complete and absolutely attractive. As evidence of this quality the bit rate is up to 25Mb/s so video files are slightly compressed. The images are very sharp and fluid even in low light conditions. The field of view is 155-degrees fisheye then the images are slightly distorted with barrel effect, typical of action cams, but less than GoPro and SJcam that have an angle of 172-degrees.
Watch the video at the end of this paragraph from the minute 7:44 onwards to see some examples of shooting in various light conditions, or download these video and photos shot with the Xiaomi Yi (in FullHD).
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There is, however, the function Lens rectification that through software improves the typical images of a fisheye lens making them less distorted, for example the curvy walls become linear as in reality, of course it cuts part of the edges of the frame, thereby reducing the shooting angle.
The behavior in the steps of bright light / low light and vice versa is very good, and happens gradually, without sudden changes in exposure that will adversely affect the overall quality of the video. The sensor is certainly of superb quality and can handle any situation, even when the sun enters the frame moving from a dark area to a very enlightened one. There is an electronic stabilizer, but not good as Sony ones.
There is also the Low light mode for shooting in low light. By activating this mode, the frame rate decreases.
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The photos are of excellent quality and maintain a high level of detail even when enlarged to 100%. They are better than those shot with other economic action camsc, like GoPro Hero or SJ4000+. This thanks to the excellent 16megapixels photo sensor Sony Exmor R . Just to enlarge a photo taken with the Xiaomi to see the difference. The only cam below 160$ that can compete with the photo quality of the Xiaomi camera are the SJ5000+ and Sony AS30, but they loose the battle in the video field.
The audio is stereo and of good quality. There is not a socket for plugging in an external microphone. Unfortunately filming in motion (motorcycle, bike going fast) the wind affects the sound, more than on other action cam like the Sony that have a noise reduction.
The Xiaomi Yi is not suitable to be used as a dash cam drive, because the power doesn’t turn on and off automatically when connected to the cigarette lighter.
The battery lasts about 75 minutes at 1080p60, and at 1080p30 about 100 minutes , with wifi off, lasts pretty good especially when compared with the direct competition. You can also record while charging the battery, useful option if you are in a car or motorcycle using the cigarette lighter socket.
Finally to make a comparison between the GoPro Hero 4 Silver, the Xiaomi Yi and SJ4000 we took a magnification to 100% of a frame of a movie (see the photo above). The images speak for themselves, the GoPro Hero 4 Silver obviously proves the best, Xiaomi is just below, the Sj4000 is much worse and less defined.
Defects found: it is a bit slow to turn on (2-3 seconds after pressing the button it is ready to record), and the status LEDs are not so clear with the sun. Moreover, the lack of the screen sometimes is perceived, but even the GoPro 4 Black hasn’t one.
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Complete video review with video shots in different lighting conditions:
Videos and picture shot with YI Technology Yi
Here are available Videos and pictures shot with Xiaomi Yi with no compression. Click on the file, and then on the link download on the top right, do not watch it in streaming because it is compressed and low quality.
Sample video at 1080p 60fps:
Xiaomi Yi vs GoPro:
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Some user’s quotes:
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Looks pretty decent, but still for an action camera it’s too box-like. The best shape for action cameras -e specially ones with high speed – is bullet, such as in Drift Stealth. This cam is so aerodynamic and sleek that you may forget that you actually have it mounted. Really, I do sometimes! 🙂 I use it both as action cam on motorcycle and commuting camera when I go to work. Perfect for both activities.
Hi,
Thanks for the fantastic review. I recently got me a xiaomi yi and love it.
I however have one issue, my day recording is superb but at night/low light its pathetic to say the least. I have tried different settings and even switching on the auto low light settings but still not good quality.
I have seen other night time videos on YouTube & forums but mine isn’t any close.
What could I be doing wrong. Y0ur help is highly appreciated.
Thanks.
Hi, thanks! I think you should DISABLE the auto low light setting. Then you should record at low fps mode, like 30fps or 24fps. Try this and let me know. Anyway, the Yi suffers a lot with low light conditions.
There are a number of variant of the Yi.
The Z22L and Z23L supposely uses a weaker IR filter. So low light is improve…but at the expense of more flares when the sun is present.
Great video, Thanks !
Some very cheap places I found online to buy Xiaomi Yi / Qumox SJCAM cameras and gimbal stabilizer`s is:
Banggood: http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-Sport-Camera-c-3250.html?p=J031143423240201512X
and Tomtop: http://www.tomtop.com/Cameras-Photo-Accessories?aid=vibedkse
A lens refocus and running high bitrate/low noise reduction scripts on the Yi will make the camera even better.