Xiaomi YI Review | 96 Data compared

The Yi action camera positions itself as a strong, budget-friendly competitor to GoPro, offering performance comparable to the GoPro Hero3 Silver at a fraction of the cost. It features a simple box-shaped design with a 155-degree wide-angle lens, a combined power/mode button, a Wi-Fi button, and a standard 1/4-inch tripod thread. Unlike most cheap action cameras on the market, the Yi is sold body-only, meaning users must purchase essential accessories separately. Notable strengths highlighted in the review include its great video quality, an extensive range of video options, and a highly intuitive mobile application. However, the camera's low price point comes with several design compromises. The device is not weather-proofed or sealed out of the box, making the purchase of an external waterproof housing necessary for extreme sports or underwater use. Additionally, the review notes that the removable cover protecting the MicroSD, USB, and HDMI ports is very easily lost. Despite these drawbacks and lagging slightly behind market leaders in overall build quality, the Yi remains an incredibly high-value, dangerous rival to GoPro due to its impressive video output versus...

Oscar Liang’s review highlights the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera as an affordable, high-value alternative to GoPros for FPV, capable of 1080p recording at 60fps with a robust, crash-resistant housing that often includes a 120-degree wide-angle lens. Pros for drone pilots include the ability to easily remove the battery to save 20 grams, powering the unit directly from a 5V BEC, and lacking an LCD screen to break during crashes. Conversely, the camera is more susceptible to "jello" vibrations, performs poorly in low light, and often requires manual adjustment to correct blurry factory focus. Cons also include the lack of native compatibility with GoPro mounts, and the requirement to use a smartphone app for changing settings.

The Xiaomi Yi Action Camera is positioned as a budget-friendly "GoPro killer" featuring a 16-megapixel Sony sensor and Ambarella A7LS processor, capable of 1080p video at 60fps with high clarity and vibrant colors. Its compact 72-gram design includes a standard tripod mount for easy mounting without additional housing, though it lacks built-in image stabilization. Significant drawbacks highlighted include the absence of an LCD screen, requiring a smartphone app for framing, and the lack of included accessories like a waterproof case. Furthermore, the camera suffers from poor low-light performance and fragile, detachable compartment doors.

The Yi Action Camera is a highly affordable 1080p action camera released by Yi Technology that directly targets the GoPro market with a budget-friendly price point of $70 to $90. Powered by an Ambarella A7LS processor and a Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor, it captures high-quality 1080p video at 60fps, outperforming older GoPro HERO3 models in daytime clarity. The device lacks a built-in screen and GPS, relying instead on a smartphone app for setting adjustments and live viewing. Despite its solid, lightweight build and inclusion of a G-sensor, its unique physical dimensions mean it cannot fit standard GoPro protective housings, though it remains compatible with other GoPro mounts and accessories. The camera's greatest pros are its exceptional value, strong daytime video quality, and a dedicated community that provides custom resolution and bitrate hacks. However, it suffers from notable cons, including poor low-light video performance, limited official customer support, and a lack of built-in features like a display screen. Users have also reported serious quality control and technical issues, such as factory focus inaccuracies and a high risk of bricking the...

The Xiaomi Yi Action Camera 2K delivers high-value performance featuring a 16-megapixel Sony Exmor sensor, Ambarella A7 processor, 2K/30fps video capabilities, and built-in Wi-Fi, according to the review. Key advantages include a standard 1/4-inch tripod mount, diverse photo modes, and lens rectification to reduce fisheye distortion. Conversely, the camera lacks a built-in LCD screen, requiring a smartphone app for framing, and does not include a waterproof housing in the standard package. Additionally, limitations include restricted 16:9 aspect ratio resolution and a lack of built-in image stabilization.

The YI Action Camera is a highly affordable GoPro competitor equipped with a 16 MP Sony sensor capable of capturing 2K video at 30 FPS, smooth 1080p footage at 60 FPS, and 720p slow-motion at 120 FPS. Its standout features include a standard tripod mount for versatile mounting, an accurate 95-minute battery life during 1080p recording, and the ability to charge via Micro-USB during extended sessions. The camera's popularity is significantly boosted by community-made script hacks, which unlock advanced configurations like RAW photography, SuperView stretching, and HDR time-lapses. However, the hardware suffers from notable drawbacks, including unattached, easily lost port covers and status LEDs that are completely unreadable in bright sunlight. Stills suffer from noticeable barrel distortion from the wide-angle lens, low-light performance is virtually unusable due to the small sensor size, and images consistently feature a yellowish tint. Furthermore, the built-in audio is barely usable—especially inside a waterproof case—and the companion Bluetooth remote suffers from a bug that frequently drops the connection.