Extreme sports are getting closer to the average consumer. Ten years ago, to get impressive footage of a skydive, you had to use very expensive equipment. Now all you need is a GoPro! And it's still expensive. Xiaomi has gone further and made extreme video shooting even more accessible thanks to a camera called Yi. Let's talk in detail about the device in review.

Equipment

All products of the Chinese company are delivered in a box made of very thick cardboard without any bright, identifying features. The packaging is made simply and tastefully - from recycled materials. And an adult can safely stand on the box. What is this all for? Probably to reach the jar of jam on the top shelf. In general, I personally tested it - the packaging easily withstood 85 kg, just like the box from the fitness bracelet.

In nature, there are two types of equipment: regular and tourist. We acquired the latter to tell you not only about the device itself, but also about the branded monopod included in the extended delivery kit.

Inside the package, the gadget itself is neatly laid out, and next to it is a telescopic monopod. Hidden under the cardboard layer is a Micro USB cable for charging the device from computer ports (the power supply is not included), a battery with a very modest capacity of 1010 mAh, and a battery compartment cover.

No additional holders, mounts or underwater cases are provided by the manufacturer. All this is sold separately, or rather, will be sold in the near future. By the way, due to the lens and power button slightly shifted to the middle, cases from GoPro or Chinese cameras from Alibaba for 70 bucks will not fit. Yi has its own way and don’t be confused by the fact that this is also a Chinese camera for 70 bucks. This is Xiaomi, which means a separate conversation.

Design

The buyer can choose from only two color variations: all-white and bright green shades. Since at the time of ordering from Aliexpress the Travel version of the camera was only available in white, there was no question of choice for me: I need a monopod, I need to tell you everything.

The body of the gadget is entirely plastic. There is a matte finish on the front and back, and a ribbed finish around the perimeter, which is clearly a design solution.

In front, above the front surface, a 24 mm lens in diameter seriously protrudes. Of course, it is not covered with anything, and the rim around the convex glass is made of dark plastic. And then I immediately want to scold the company. Yes, protective cases are sold separately, but what if I don't need them or can't buy them?

An uncovered lens can easily get scratched, and the Chinese didn’t even bother to add some kind of case, even a bad one, to the gadget. You can't do that, you can't.

On the front side there is a wide mechanical power button. One press switches the shooting mode from photo to video and back. A long press turns off the camera. The button has a round LED built into it that glows blue, purple or red depending on the battery level. When connected to a power source, the power button is always illuminated with a red halo.

In addition, four more indicator lights can be found around the perimeter of the case. The top, bottom and rear reflect the selected shooting mode, the side is responsible for wireless activity. The backlight can be turned off completely in the settings or left active only at the time of shooting.

On the top edge there is a shutter button. It is single-section, since the Yi does not have autofocus. On the bottom side there is a standard screw mount for a tripod, monopod, selfie stick and the like. The hole is unified and suitable for any accessory. By the way, we’ll talk about them later.

On the right side there is a key to activate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. There is no division. I would like to point out that the camera is very thoughtful. After turning on and establishing a stable connection with the smartphone, about 10-15 seconds pass. Previously, the gadget would not be able to be found by the phone.

Retardation is also present at the moment of photographing. I pressed the shutter release and the photo was ready, but the device thought for another second or two before hanging its head from the process of creating a photo.

Of course, the camera is equipped with a microphone. There is a hole for it in the top part of the device. We'll talk about audio recording later.

On the back side there is a battery compartment cover, as well as all the gadget’s connectors, hidden under a plastic plug. It’s strange that the plug is not attached to the body in any way and it doesn’t cost anything to get lost. Be careful. Available ports include Micro USB, Micro HDMI and a slot for a memory card.

The device can also be controlled blindly, without connecting to a smartphone. The reference will be the top, bottom and rear LEDs, which light up red when video recording is activated and go out when set to photographing.

Monopod included

Now let's talk about what users overpay their money for when receiving the Travel package - the monopod. The latter gives the impression of a high-quality and reliable thing. Perhaps even more reliable than the camera itself.

Indeed, the accessory is made entirely of metal, and the handle is made of a soft, very grippy and pleasant to the touch material. The total weight of the stick is 183 grams. The camera itself, by the way, has a mass of 71 grams.

The head is attached to the telescopic body of the monopod due to a spherical bone. The lever on the right tightens or loosens the turning mechanism. Due to all this design, the head can rotate 360 ​​degrees.

The base structure consists of five metal elbows, which are opened and secured by turning them to the left or right, respectively. At first, the opening mechanism works quite poorly, but after a dozen or two opening-folding cycles everything returns to normal.

For fastening, there is a tight clasp on the belt and a rope loop at the very end of the holder. The latter tends to unwind and at one point the loop may remain on your wrist, and the monopod with the gadget may fall to the ground. Not a very well thought out moment.

Specifications of Xiaomi Yi Camera:

• 16 megapixel photo sensor (Sony Exmore R CMOS) with back-illuminated matrix (BSI), image resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels
• 155-degree (wide-angle) lens with F 2.8 aspherical lens
• optical stabilization and 3D noise reduction
• shooting speed: up to 7 photos/second
• Time Lapse function 0.5 - 60 seconds
• Ambarella A7LS processor
• Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi for transferring files and broadcasting video to a smartphone (Broadcom chip)
• support for Micro SD memory cards up to 128 GB (10 class)
• triaxial accelerometer
• Panasonic battery (lithium-ion)
• dimensions 60.4 x 42 x 21.2 mm
• weight 72 g
• H.264 video codec
• audio recording up to 96 kHz, 92 dB

Photography

The entire device is based on a 16-megapixel Sony Exmore R matrix. Above it is a lens with aspherical lenses and an aperture of F 2.8. The latter does not in any way affect the appearance of beautiful blur (bokeh), because the focus is set to infinity, starting from 20 cm. Accordingly, it will not be possible to take real macro photographs. I tried and it didn't work. You can see the result below.

Of course, the lens used here is wide-angle and can capture 155 degrees of space in front of it. And thanks to the use of aspherical lenses, this is a real Fisheye. Some people will definitely like it, but others won't. Let's talk about this in a little more detail later.

The maximum image resolution is 4608 x 3456 pixels. You can set the resolution to 13, 8 or 5 megapixels.

I don't know what good things can be said about the photo part. Yes, the photos are good, but not impressive.

The quality of the images lags behind modern flagship smartphones and more or less passable digital point-and-shoot cameras.

Let's start with detailing. The examples of 100% crop below show that the Yi Action camera cannot be compared with the picture produced by the Sony Xperia Z3, one of the best camera phones of 2014-2015. Bluriness, digital noise - all this is present in the brainchild of the Chinese digital industry.

I suggest taking a little more look at the pictures taken with the Sony Xperia Z3 (left) and Xiaomi Yi (right) smartphones.

There are generally big problems with image clarity in the corners of photographs.

This is especially noticeable when distortion suppression (kick drum effect) is turned on. At this moment, the system, using its own algorithms, removes the excessive roundness of images, which is characteristic of fisheye lenses. Together with this operation, the photograph around the edges is blurred in one hundred percent of cases. Below, as an example, I have given a piece of a photograph with the original image (on the left) and a piece of a photograph on which the system has already managed to work its magic, removing lens distortions (on the right).

Notice how blurry the picture on the right is. When activating this function (Lens rectification), be prepared that the photo will be clear only in the center of the frame - the rest will float.

As an example, I will give several original fisheye photographs (on the left) and images with distortion suppression (on the right).

I didn't like the work of the exhibition. In most photographs, the machine makes mistakes and instead of rich and bright colors, the image becomes yellow-green.

Attempts to change the exposure metering did not lead to anything. The system makes mistakes and everything continues to turn yellow, like in the desert. Of course, later, on a computer, the photographic materials can be straightened and the result will be something like this (on the left is the original, on the right is the simplest color correction).

On the other hand, taking into account the affordability of the camera and its versatility, provided that protective cases are used, we get a very good photographic solution for an active life. Still, you won’t be able to dive into the Red Sea with a smartphone, but with Xiaomi Yi it’s easy and even relatively inexpensive.

Let's look at examples of all the other photographs.

The originals of all photographs can be downloaded in one archive from here.

Additional modes include timer shooting, Burst mode (up to 7 frames per second) or Timelapses. IN last time Shutter release time can be set from 0.5 to 60 seconds. As a result, you will get several hundred pictures, which can later be combined into one video using special programs.

By the way, some specifications declared by the manufacturer on the official website do not correspond to the real state of affairs.

Thus, it was initially indicated that the time intervals when shooting Timelaps range from 3 to 15 seconds, although in reality they are completely different. The same goes for video shooting: real 50 frames per second in maximum quality, instead of the declared 60 or 240 at 420p resolution (it’s not in the parameters at all). The Chinese are so Chinese.

Camera Can only shoot horizontally. Despite the fact that the manufacturer declares support for the accelerometer, it is clearly not intended for automatic orientation rotation here.

Of course, there is optical stabilization, thanks to which the picture does not shake so much even if you hold the monopod with the gadget at arm's length. In this kind of devices, you can’t do without it.

The maximum possible video recording quality is 1920 x 1080 pixels at 50 frames (16:9) per second. Below is a list of other supported resolutions:

• 1920 x 1080 25 FPS (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 48 FPS (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 24 FPS (16:9)
• 1280 x 960 50 FPS (4:3)
• 1280 x 960 48 FPS (4:3)
• 1280 x 720 50 FPS (16:9)
• 1280 x 720 48 FPS (16:9)
• 1280 x 720 100 FPS (16:9)
• 848 x 480 200 FPS (16:9)

Videos are recorded with a maximum length of 5 minutes. This cannot be changed, but you can set the memory to be continuously filled in such five-minute segments until the space on the card runs out.

Full HD resolution at 50 frames is perhaps the most optimal setting for recording video on a device. At 25 or 24 frames, objects in the video move jerkily. An example of such a video is below.

In addition, recording 100 and even 200 frames per second is possible. However, the image resolution drops noticeably to 1280 x 720 pixels and 848 x 480, respectively. Example of 100-frame shooting below this sentence.

Now about audio recording. The camera records sound poorly. Even at a distance of an open monopod, it is very difficult to distinguish a voice on the street, where the wind often blows. In addition, the sound is dull and sounds completely unflattering. Setting the Buzzer volume does not correct the situation in any way, in fact, neither does some 3D noise reduction declared by the manufacturer. You can listen to the sound in the example video below.

And again, the action camera is not designed to record an audio stream. This is not its main function. The focus is on the video, not on how you scream while riding a roller coaster. Plus, you can always put some cool music in the background.

However, some craftsmen have already found a way out of the situation. Here in the video you can see how to improve the quality of recording an audio stream yourself and using a screwdriver.

Yi Camera App

To work with the device you need a special application. For now there is only a version for Android. The developers promise to add iOS support in the future.

Don't bother looking for the utility on Google Play. On this moment she simply isn't there. To install the program, you need to scan the QR code from the instructions and follow the link recognized by the scanner.

It’s a good idea, of course, to also get your own account on mi.com. The system will definitely prompt you to do this.

Those who complete the entire quest will be rewarded installed application in English-Chinese. The thing is that part of the menu was translated into English, while the other half remained in native Chinese. It all looks especially funny when you try to activate some function, and the application instead displays an inscription with hieroglyphs.

In reality, there is no inconvenience from crookedly translated software. 80% of the required parameters have been made publicly available English language, and the rest is clear as is.

The main feature of the application is the Lifeview mode, that is, the smartphone screen acts as a viewfinder for the camera. The picture transferred from the device to the phone is slightly delayed (by about 0.5 seconds) and its quality leaves much to be desired. On the other hand, the main thing is to compose the frame and the image quality is sufficient for this to be fully possible.

The connection range does not exceed 100 meters. In reality, approximately 20 meters or a couple of rooms with relatively thick walls are enough to transmit a picture without interruptions.

The company claims that the utility also has a built-in image editor, but I did not find it. Maybe it is securely hidden behind various buttons in Chinese, or maybe it is available exclusively on branded Xiaomi phones.

In conclusion, I will still provide a link so that you can download the Yi Camera application. For Android devices, download from here. Owners of iOS devices, look for your application, but later.

Battery life

The built-in Panasonic battery has a capacity of 1010 mAh (3.7 V and 3.74 Wh). I want to say right away that batteries from GoPro or Chinese counterfeits from Alibaba are not supported. Xiaomi has closed a loophole for sly users who want to save on consumables.

Continuous shooting of Full HD video (25 fps) consumed the entire 100% battery charge in one hour and fifty minutes. At the same time, only a quarter of the time the device was connected via Wi-Fi to the smartphone.

In Timelapse mode (photos every 60 seconds), the camera worked for only 1 hour and 41 minutes when connected to a smartphone. By the way, Lifeview is not available in this mode.

Full charging from a 2A power supply takes 1 hour 40 minutes, which is quite a lot. When recharging from a computer's USB connector, it will take more longer time.

Accessories for Xiaomi Yi

Which ones will be available? accessories directly from Xiaomi - is still unknown. Judging by the available official photos and videos, the list is so far limited only to an underwater case (dive to 40 meters) and special straps for attaching the device to a pet. Perhaps the company will come up with something else interesting or will follow the beaten path, completely copying accessories from GoPro.

A little more about what we have in stock. The only inconvenience in a standard monopod is the absence of a shutter button. It is assumed that a connected smartphone can be used as a control panel or the camera can be controlled blindly. This is the only way and it somewhat limits the user.

However, the Bluetooth button is available on other third-party selfie sticks that are actively sold on the Internet. We have already reviewed a couple of these. Yi made friends with them easily and naturally, but again not without a crutch. The latter is played by a smartphone, to which you need to connect a Bluetooth monopod. The Xiaomi application easily recognizes accessories such as a regular Bluetooth keyboard, with which you can shoot. Thus, we get three devices at once that need to be actively used when shooting: the Yi itself, mobile phone and a selfie stick with a built-in shutter key. It's just a pity that we only have two hands.

Bottom line

In the photographs, and in reality, the camera looks very decent. The paper characteristics are also impressive and make you reach for your wallet for money or a credit card in order to place an order as soon as possible.

In reality, the device has a fairly large list of shortcomings. These are the design nuances that we have already discussed, and the quality of photographs and videos, of course.

Of course, it is slightly behind the popular GoPro Hero 3 in terms of capabilities and settings. The latter has a huge range of accessories and greater freedom when setting up video recording. Comparing Xiaomi Yi Camera with Hero 4 is incorrect. These are products from different categories, both price and quality.

Xiaomi Yi seems to me to be a kind of starter device for those who want to try and understand for themselves what an action camera is. Do you travel a lot? Do you like snorkeling or even scuba diving? Do you climb mountains and jump with a parachute? So why not try this thing for yourself? What if he gets hooked and has to go to court? Further more. Open a channel on Youtube and become a famous extreme sports enthusiast. Separately, we can highlight shooting from a multicopter. For a relatively small amount (copters come in different varieties), you can take stunning aerial footage at home.

Thinking about purchasing Yi Camera, you must definitely keep its cost in mind. This is the main and most advantageous advantage of the new product. Price at 399 and 499 Chinese yuan, which at the current exchange rate (1 yuan = 8.23 ​​rubles) is about 3281.85 rubles for the basic configuration and 4104.37 rubles for the extended one (with a monopod). However, you can immediately relax, since it is almost impossible to buy Yi for this price. And it’s not even that the purchase requires a real Chinese address and a Chinese bank card. All batches periodically released by the manufacturer into the online store are bought up by resellers and sold at various online auctions or in their stores directly in China. Domestic consumers should look towards Aliexpress, as I did.

Release date: already on sale from resellers from China Price: 399 and 499 yuan

Interesting read:

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 a worthy competitor has appeared, 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. Regular cardboard box gray in color, 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 underwater housings, not to mention a regular strap for transportation 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 sizes (two matchbox, 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). 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 goes for random access memory with a video adapter and a wireless module - in terms of performance, the 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.

To begin with, we had to spend about two hours preparing the camera for use. In modern times, this is not just a long time, but a very long time! We have all long been accustomed to the fact that most devices are simply enough to be turned on, and then everything is clear on an intuitive level and without any instructions.

First use experience and negative points

Immediately after turning on, the Xiaomi Yi camera basic edition action camera reported that for some reason it was working in photo mode. This circumstance seemed very strange to us, because we are dealing with a video camera... Where is the logic here? Moreover, if you switch the device to video mode, and then turn it off and turn it on again, it will again be in photo shooting mode.

You can change the camera settings only through a special application, which must first be installed on your smartphone. The program requires Android version 4.1 or higher.

Also, the lack of a display causes a lot of inconvenience, even for basic navigation through the menu.

Logic of the display system

The successful activation of the camera is indicated by the main light indicator and a sound signal. However, this does not mean that the device is ready for use; you will have to wait another ten to fifteen seconds. It is not clear why this particular moment could not be accompanied by a sound signal. After updating the software, the turn-on time of the camera was reduced to several seconds and the “blinking” of the indicators became more logical and understandable. When copying footage to a computer, the camera gets quite hot.

In addition, it took us a lot of effort to select a basic USB cable for the Xiaomi Yi action camera (only one out of three worked). Therefore, we recommend using a card reader to exchange information with a PC.

The protective cap covering USB, memory card slot and HDMI is very small in size and losing it is a breeze. It would be much better if it was attached to the body.

The delivery package is very meager, it only includes: the camera itself, a battery, and an interface cable. In the Travel version, the manufacturer was also generous with a monopod.

Speaking of monopods, you most likely won’t be able to use any one you like from third-party manufacturers. The whole point is that the screw hole is too short, which does not allow the camera to be securely fastened. However, this problem can be solved using a rubber washer placed on the monopod screw.

Advantages of the camera and impressions from longer use

• Dimensions – we decided to mention them, despite the fact that almost all action cameras without exception are very small. Now I don’t want to use anything bulky to shoot video.
• The video quality, in our subjective opinion, is very decent. There was nothing special to compare with; only the Sony a6000 and Canon 7d were at hand - typical representatives of a more serious niche. For everyday needs or even video blogging, the capabilities of this device are absolutely enough.
• Low cost - about $70-90 (in the green case a little more expensive).
• You can easily use branded GoPro accessories through a special adapter.
• Battery life – when shooting videos in 1080p 25fps mode, the camera can last a little less than two hours without recharging.

Well, a few more words about the impressions that were formed after solving the main problems associated with the camera’s operation. Shooting with an action camera is incredibly cool! We were literally delighted. Firstly, it is very convenient that the device can be put into your pocket at any time, and then very quickly removed from there and continue shooting.

In an outstretched hand, the camera is practically not felt, this is not for you reflex camera hold when your hand becomes numb after a few minutes. Also pleasing is the small number of control keys; the likelihood of accidentally pressing them while shooting, moving the camera from hand to hand, or when choosing an angle is almost completely eliminated.

Today we invite you to look at GoPro’s main competitor among budget action cameras – the Xiaomi Yi camera. We will also learn how to set up the camera on Xiaomi and how to control it.

Even before it officially went on sale, this unit caused a lot of noise among users, because the manufacturer stated that it would have the same characteristics as GoPro, but at a very ridiculous price. The price was previously announced at $60, which, you see, is very, very tempting.

Almost all camera functions from Xiaomi can be controlled through special applications on a smartphone, which can be pre-installed via links and Remote Video. So far there are not very many of them, however, it is possible that with the update of the gadget’s firmware its functionality will expand. So far, the program allows you to make settings for photo and video modes, select the quality of shooting and configure the operation of the camera itself, as well as select the ability to visually display images from the matrix.

In the photo mode in the application we see the following picture: most of the display is occupied by the area for previewing the image from the camera matrix, and the selected resolution for shooting is written below. At the bottom are keys for controlling the action camera, and even lower is a status bar with the current battery charge of the phone, camera and Wi-Fi signal level. In video mode, the program looks almost the same. In addition, there is a Snapshot mode for creating quick pictures in a resolution of 640x480.

Parameters and their meanings

Setting up the Xiaomi Yi Action Camera is done through a special application, which we wrote about above, but there is an important point here - the application is only available for smartphones running Android OS, and owners of Apple products are still out of work. So, let's look at some of the modes with which I configure the camera. They are divided into several blocks.

• Video. This is the mode for video settings. There are such items as Quality (video quality), Resolution (resolution), Time Stamp (display of time and date on video), Standart (video standard) and Metering Mode (exposure level measurement);
• Photo. It is logical to assume that this is a mode that adjusts photography. There are such sub-items as: Resolution (also photo resolution), Default Photo Mode (this option allows you to select the default photography mode, for example, you can select normal, self-timer, burst and time lapse). Also available are the functions of displaying the date and time on the photo and Camera Default Start Mode (selecting the mode in which the camera will turn on by default);

• Camera. Here you can configure the camera: Preview, Loop Recording (endless recording or recording in DVR mode), Lens Rectification (turn on/off Fish Eye), Auto turn on WI-Fi with Device (turn on Wi-Fi with the device), Buzzer Volume (adjusting the sound volume), as well as much more, such as Wi-Fi settings, LED indicator operating mode, setting the time and date, and turning off the camera after a certain time of inactivity;
• Devices. This block contains complete information about the device, such as model name, serial number, current firmware version, as well as information about the flash card and the ability to format it. In addition, here you can enable the search function for the camera if it is lost somewhere nearby (it starts making sounds) and reset all settings to factory settings.

Conclusion

In general, we briefly got acquainted with the capabilities of the acclaimed Xioami Yi action camera and found out what each item in the settings means. In general, the camera shows very good results for its price, but the functionality could be expanded. We hope that the manufacturer will take into account the wishes of users in new version firmware will present us with new capabilities of such a small and bright unit.

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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.