Xiaomi yi sport reviews. Xiaomi YI action camera review. Affordable solution. Lens and sensors

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, about which we'll talk 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 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 computer and network equipment high quality. 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. By recreating the device in durable housing, having endowed 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 pay extra for additional equipment no one wants it.

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 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 regular shooting This is quite enough for dynamic objects, but for a photographer who is in motion, this frame rate will not be enough to produce 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 here’s how to choose correct exposure in the lap of 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 maintaining a high-quality video stream requires a lot of resources from the mobile platform. The same goes for RAM 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 sound processing, 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.

In conclusion

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.

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 span: 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 wish the camera itself would 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.

World Famous Chinese company, a digital equipment supplier, has released several webcam models that allow you to stream and record video in HD format, and can also be controlled remotely from a smartphone. The device from the Smart Home series introduces a new function for monitoring children. It is performed by synchronizing the gadget with mobile phone through special application and opens up a new vision for those who want to keep abreast of all events. The device can take photos and save short videos to Micro SD. The company produces several models that differ slightly in functionality. Full review each of them is presented below.

Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera

This is a fixed mini-camera capable of capturing what is happening indoors with fairly clear color rendition, close to the natural image. Small Square Smart is equipped with carbon monoxide and smoke sensors, which makes it stand out among analog cameras. In case of danger, the system sends a notification to the owner’s smartphone. The device has a sensitive microphone and speaker that allow you to see what is happening on your smartphone and communicate with those present using two-way communication. The case is cube-shaped and made of high-quality plastic. On the front panel there is a lens, a sensor for tracking night shooting and a microphone. On the reverse side there is a USB connector, and on the bottom there is a Micro SD slot and a reset button. The video camera is located on a movable stand, allowing it to be rotated and installed at any angle. The device will be stable on the surface, thanks to four rubber feet and a built-in magnet.

MiJia 360° Home Camera

The kit, packed in a cardboard box, includes a display, a power cord and instructions. The equipment is made of pleasant-to-touch plastic, exclusively white, lightweight, about 250 g, and the external design is reminiscent of futuristic motifs. Its peculiarity is its ability to rotate 360° and record high-quality images. In addition, MiJia Home responds well to voice commands and carries them out quite accurately. In low light conditions or in dark time day, infrared LEDs are activated, allowing for good shooting.

Yi 360° Dome Camera

This version is similar in design to the previous model, packaged in a cardboard box with a transparent plastic window. The package includes the device itself, instructions, power cord, adapter, and a bracket for mounting to the wall. It also has a full rotation around its axis, guaranteeing the quality of video surveillance. The equipment detects movement, records sound and video. There are two microphones on the front panel of Yi Dome. On back side– a slot for a memory card, an input for connecting to an adapter, and a reset button. All cameras work with using Wi-Fi, through high speed internet. They are very easy to connect, you need to download the application recommended by the manufacturers, start account and synchronize the gadget with your smartphone. The modern, unobtrusive design will fit into any environment and hide the device from prying eyes.

Why does the manufacturer enter the market? To sell something. How does it enter the market? With advertising and loud statements, preferably louder. This case is no exception: the release of the action camera in question was actively covered on the Internet. In addition to listing the names of electronic components, the camera was awarded in absentia with loud epithets up to and including “GoPro killer.” We won’t argue about the components - the filling in the chamber is undoubtedly more than decent. But practice shows that content alone is not enough to be called a champion. The components must be used correctly, “to the fullest”, only then will the desired result be achieved. We will try to look at how the Xiaomi Yi camera does this in this review.

Video review

First, we suggest watching our video review of the Xiaomi Yi action camera:

Now let's take a look at the characteristics of the new product.

Design, technical characteristics

The complete set of the device received for testing consists of the following accessories:

• camera
• rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1010 mAh
• monopod with tripod screw mount
• USB to Micro-USB cable
• User manual in Chinese

The manual is indeed in Chinese, but this may be because the device was purchased specifically for testing purposes in one of the foreign stores. However, due to the fact that information about the camera was widely circulated, finding the necessary information and materials (including the Russian-language PDF manual) turned out to be not so difficult.

The body of the device we have is made of milky-white, rough plastic (you can find other, even more cheerful colors on the market). The form factor of the camera is a typical “brick”, only, in comparison with the same GoPro, it looks more minimalistic due to the lack of a display and a small number of controls.

One of the main differences from the mentioned competitor is the presence of a hole with a real tripod thread. How much this simplifies the search and selection of holding accessories - I think there is no need to explain. But this mount still has one drawback: the threaded hole is not deep enough, as a result of which you can attach the camera to a standard good tripod only by placing some kind of rubber pad between the camera body and the surface of the platform. Nothing can be done, all in the name of miniaturization and reducing the weight of the camera.

During long-term recording, the camera body heats up to 50°C in some areas, and up to 55°C when Wi-Fi is running.

The supplied metal monopod with a rubberized handle is made so well and thoroughly that you wonder: what is actually included with what? Monopod to camera or vice versa?

The rotating head of the monopod with a clamp and tripod thread allows you to rotate the camera to any angle, and using the existing latch, this monopod can be attached, for example, to a pocket.

In addition to the camera, you can purchase one that will allow you to immerse it to a depth of up to 40 m.

Basic technical specifications devices are shown in the following table:

Video/photography

The camera in question records video at the following frame sizes and frequencies:

You can clearly imagine the difference in detail and character of the picture that these recording modes provide using the following still frames and original videos.

First of all, you pay attention to the fuzzy, seemingly out-of-focus picture. Unfortunately, focus has nothing to do with it. And the lens glass should not be blamed for uncleanliness. For some reason, the frame cannot be called detailed (however, some owners of some cameras may not agree with this formulation of the question), and due to its “blurring”, I would like to know what the resolution of our camera is. We'll deal with this later, but as a starting point, let's compare the sharpness that the camera gives in video mode and in photo mode.

Explain such the difference in detail cannot be achieved except for artificial restrictions. Apparently - we are just assuming - these restrictions are imposed on the capabilities of the matrix and processor used in the camera, and relate only to video shooting. But the electronic content of the device in question has a lot of potential, including shooting video with a 4K frame size (but our camera, of course, does not have this format).

The reasons for the described miracles, if they exist, probably lie in the permitting licenses that accompany the sensors and processors, and must be purchased separately. By the way, if we develop this idea in a slightly different direction, a sad picture emerges: earlier, several years ago, poor quality photos, received by video cameras, could be attributed to their small video matrices. But now, when another amateur camcorder is equipped with a sensor with many millions of pixels, it is at least strange to point to the matrix. But photographs from video cameras were as unsightly as they were 10 years ago, and remain so.

As for our camera specifically, here we can, if not explain, then at least justify the lack of clarity in its video mode. A ringing, sharp image is required mainly for static shooting. But our camera is designed for something completely different, for shooting in motion. In which all objects are smeared in one way or another. Well, if there is still a need for static shooting, then you can always use the photo mode, especially since the camera can take photographs both in series and at intervals from 0.5 to 60 seconds.

Let's take a look at the technical parameters of the video files produced by the camera. The device records video in all modes in the same codec (AVC, of ​​course) and with the same Main profile, only changing the level from 3.2 to 4.2 in accordance with the size and frame rate. Since the camera has the ability to change the working standard from PAL to NTSC and vice versa, you can add 60p and 30p to the listed frequencies. Separately, we note two ultra-high frame rate modes: 1280×720 100p 18 Mbps and 848×480 200p 16 Mbps (if the camera operates in NTSC, the frame rate will be 120p and 240p, respectively). Unlike some other cameras, these files actually contain video at the specified frequency, and are not slowed down four or eight times. However, there is no audio track in these files. These speed modes should only be used in rare cases when it is important to capture fast events in order to slow down the movement later when processing video. At the same time, one cannot make any claims to the resolution in such a video - being low in normal modes, it drops even lower in high-speed modes.

But let’s finally measure it to dot the i’s. For this purpose, usual shooting test table does not fit - the viewing angle of the camera lens is too wide. Despite the small minimum focusing distance - only 20 centimeters - even the table moved to such a distance does not completely fill the entire frame. You will have to use filming of a section of the table printed on a large sheet of paper, a meter in length. We will shoot in different video modes, as well as photo mode. Below are sections of the resulting video and photo frames; larger images will open with a mouse click.

Once again, our assumption regarding the artificially low image clarity in video mode is confirmed. It is clearly visible that if you remove this software Gaussian blur, in maximum video mode the camera is quite capable of producing 1100 conventional TV lines horizontally. Well, okay, 1000 - without a doubt. Below is a familiar section of the table, shot in 1920x1080 50p mode, but with graphic editor sharpening filter applied.

The camera's viewing angle does not actually change depending on the selected video mode. Only in two cases, when the camera shoots with a 4:3 aspect ratio, is there an additional area of ​​the image at the top and bottom of the frame that the camera sees and captures. Because of this increased view in all directions, even the handles of the tripod on which the camera was mounted were sometimes included in the frame.

However, there is one item in the camera settings - Lens Rectification. It means correcting the fisheye effect. The correction is, of course, software (fortunately, a powerful processor is capable of performing tricks like these), when this option is enabled, the viewing angle narrows.

This mechanism works quite effectively, however, if you are going to subsequently process the captured video, it is better to shoot as is, without this in-camera correction.

Since the camera uses a modern and fast matrix, the level of rolling shutter (for more details, see the material ) in the chamber is probably minimal. Let's study it under different conditions. To begin with, let's take the camera for a ride on an electric car, the movement of which produces that characteristic vibration in most cases, in which rolling shutter is most pronounced. The following video was shot in 1920×1080 50p mode.

As expected, there is practically no “jelly” manifestation of rolling shutter. But even this miniscule jelly of the picture, which appears at the moments of the sharpest jerks, completely disappears if the shooting is carried out in high-speed mode. For example, in 848x480 200p. As we have already said, this mode does not involve sound recording, which is why the video is silent.

However, it is not difficult to encounter situations where vibration still leads to unpleasant frame shake. There is nothing to be done here, the vibration frequency exceeds the frequency of information being collected from the sensor, as well as the frequency of the shutter.

Finally, the next video will clearly show that in high speed mode the image is taken from the sensor at a frequency of 200 frames per second. Because in this case, the tilt of the verticals (one of the main manifestations of rolling shutter) is absolutely absent. While when shooting at 50 frames per second, there is still a slight tilt.

The camera settings allow you to enable one of three levels of encoding quality: high, medium, and low. In normal scenes, it is extremely difficult to discern any difference between these modes. However, in scenes with great dynamics, the difference is also difficult to notice.

Our camera can operate by receiving power directly via USB. This means that it can be used as a car DVR. However, the camera will not make a full-fledged recorder. The fact is that the device settings do not have a frame flip function. To obtain the following screenshots and videos, the original video had to be flipped in a video editor.

This artificial blurring of the video frame also makes it difficult to see small details: the symbols on the license plates of even nearby cars tend to stick together into an indistinguishable mess.

The camera does not have an electronic stabilizer (not to mention the optical one). This, of course, is not good. Such a powerful processor could easily process the image and smooth out sharp, albeit small, jerks with shaking.

Software

The camera is equipped with an HDMI port from which you can receive a live Full HD video stream. True, graphic symbols are imprinted into this stream, displaying the current operating mode and state of the camera, and this function cannot be disabled in any way.

The HDMI video output is never disabled, even when the camera is recording or streaming video to a mobile device via Wi-Fi. If the camera's Loop mode is turned on, the camera splits videos into 5-minute segments. In normal mode, the file size will correspond to the maximum size allowed for file system memory cards.

Connecting a camera to a mobile device consists of several sequential steps:

• turning on the camera (the Wi-Fi adapter is activated automatically)
• launch on smartphone branded application(follow the link - version for Android)

After a short wait (5-10 seconds), the application will detect the camera’s active access point, turn on the Wi-Fi adapter on the smartphone, and make a connection. The established connection between the smartphone and the camera is confidently maintained at a distance of up to 70 meters with direct visibility and the absence of others Wi-Fi networks, and the delay in displaying the video signal coming from the camera to the mobile device is only 0.6 seconds.

To view in a larger size, click the Original size button

The application settings completely replicate those available in the camera, nothing is forgotten.

We note quite rich settings, which, however, are annoyingly missing such important items as flipping the picture and manually setting white balance. But, as we can see, there is an opportunity to turn on gain, which supposedly will help when shooting in low light conditions. We will address this issue in the next chapter.

We must pay tribute to the sensitivity of the camera: even in the almost complete absence of light, it shoots exactly like any camera or video camera with the most sensitive optics. This refers to the overall brightness of the picture, but not the detail, of course. Which in our camera falls the more strongly, the less light that enters its microlens. This happens due to the built-in noise suppressor, which “smears” the image to eliminate noise. And noise, in turn, inevitably appears when the gain is turned on, an analogue of the camera ISO number. However, the camera, sacrificing detail, still does not allow itself to reduce the shutter speed to lower values ​​than the frame rate in the recorded video, as the vast majority of cameras do in automatic mode (and some video cameras too, to be honest). This reduction in shutter speed occurs only when the Auto Low Light option is turned on. Here the picture becomes a little brighter precisely as a result of playing with the shutter frequency - the last way to raise the exposure level.

Conclusions

We have already talked about resolution. But they never agreed on its exact definition. It’s better to leave it as it is: camera resolution in video mode Maybe reach 1100 conventional TV lines horizontally. True, for real receipt To obtain such a result, you need to dig deeper into the firmware and disable software frame blur. It turns out that all hope lies in enthusiasts who have sufficient knowledge for this. Such enthusiasts, we hope, will catch up over time, delve into the topic and, seeing the potentially high popularity of the product, will begin to “customize” it. And one believes in high popularity for a single and elementary reason: because of the price of the camera. It is surprisingly low, if you remember about high-quality and, therefore, expensive electronic components, on which the device is built.

The only way to get a clear picture in all details so far is to take photographs. The pictures that the camera creates clearly demonstrate the capabilities of both the matrix and the processor, which are capable of processing several full-size frames per second. The fairly long battery life of the included battery - one hour of continuous video recording with working Wi-Fi - also adds to the interest of the product.

As for managing settings using and exclusively using mobile devices- this concept is as modern as it is controversial. Not every newest idea It can be convenient, but it does not become so simply because it is new. This is why most people don’t take their usual watches off their wrists, despite having a smartphone in their shirt pocket. The irritatingly long ups and downs of connecting the camera and smartphone, the extremely inconvenient touch controls with the every second risk of accidentally swiping or closing a running application - all this in no way correlates with operational video shooting in the most difficult conditions, for which any action camera was originally intended. No matter what, but a display that displays at least the basic parameters of the camera and makes it possible to change them without the help of third-party devices - such a display is simply necessary.

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera is a worthy representative of action cameras. After the appearance of this camera on sale, almost immediately there was talk that the popularity of the device could not only equal that of GoPro, but even surpass it. The camera has a similar appearance and approximate photo and video shooting capabilities. At the same time, the cost is several times lower, which also increases its popularity. It is perfect both for recording your flights and for its intended purpose, as action cameras.

Appearance

Let's start the review with the appearance. The camera can be selected in two colors, one of which is white and the other is bright yellow-green. Lovers of variety can additionally purchase panels of a wide variety color range. The body is made of durable matte plastic, ribbed around the perimeter of the camera. A lens with a diameter of 24 millimeters protrudes from the front. It is important to note that the lens glass is not covered with anything and is slightly higher than the protective ring, so scratches are guaranteed.

Xiaomi Yi has no display and contains minimal required quantity buttons for control. There are only three of them:

• a button for turning the camera on and off, as well as switching the camera from photo to video mode and back;
• activating video recording and taking pictures;
• Wi-Fi power button.

On the back wall there are micro USB, Micro HDMI ports and a memory card slot, covered with a flap.

Be careful, the plug is not attached to the camera in any way, it is very easy to lose it.

All settings of the Yi action camera are performed using a smartphone through the application. There is a threaded hole for attaching a tripod. LEDs on the body will help you navigate when controlling the camera without using a smartphone.

Equipment

In this matter, the principle of minimalism is observed. Just as the device box itself does not contain any information other than the name, its contents are also limited to the camera, battery, USB cable and instruction documents. Compared to other analogues, the equipment is quite modest. This is typical for the XIAOMI Yi Basic Edition (First photo below). There is another configuration option - Travel Edition, the cost will be slightly higher than the first. This is due to the presence of a monopod. It is strong, metal, of good quality, and is mounted according to the tripod principle. The monopod can also be purchased separately if you want to supplement the basic package with it. In addition, as an additional accessory, the camera comes with a special sealed box for shooting underwater. It can also act as additional camera protection.

Camera Specifications

The camera weighs only 72 grams, and the dimensions of the device are 60.4x42x21.2 mm. Its lightness and small size make it easy to use the Yi as a flight camera. It is worth noting that a fully charged camera battery allows you to record high-quality video for an hour with working WiFi. The recording is saved to a micro SD/SDHC/SDXC card.

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera Specifications:

• Camera interfaces: Micro-USB 2.0; Micro-HDMI; Bluetooth 4.0; WiFi.
• Ambarella A7LS processor.
• CMOS BSI Exmor R 1/2.3″ 16 MP image sensor.
• sound recording up to 96 kHz, 92 dB.
• 155-degree lens with F 2.8 mm aspherical lenses;
• optical stabilization and noise reduction;
• shooting speed: up to 7 photos per second;
• continuous recording time: 59 min. in 1920×1080 50p mode with working Wi-Fi (recording and broadcast mode)
• There is no optical zoom;

Photography capabilities

The camera takes photos with a maximum resolution of 4608x3456. In this case, the resolution can be adjusted to a choice of 13 MP, 8 MP or 5 MP. In general, the quality of the photos is not bad, but most modern smartphones with good quality cameras will take a better picture. In fact, the pictures come out with noise and slightly blurry.

Timer shooting allows you to take pictures at a rate of 7 pictures per second. The result of such shooting will be many photos that can be combined into a video. Used for photography wide angle lens with environmental capture at 155 degrees. But the edges of the pictures turn out blurry, which spoils the whole impression.

Video Capabilities

As stated by the developers, the Xiaomi action camera has an automatic accelerometer for automatic rotation and orientation. Unfortunately, in reality the camera can only shoot in horizontal position. Optical stabilization allows you to shoot video in shaking conditions. This is especially true for action cameras. The maximum recording quality is 1920x1080 at 50 frames per second. In this case, the setting allows you to select the desired recording quality from the list of available ones.

It is most effective to use the camera in combination with 2 or 3-axis gimbals.

Recording is done in short segments of 5 minutes. There's no way to change this in the settings, but you can set it to record short scenes in a continuous sequence until the memory card runs out of space.

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)

Sound recording leaves much to be desired. In windy weather, it is difficult to distinguish a person’s speech even at a short distance. Adjusting the audio doesn't help the situation at all, nor does the 3D noise reduction feature. However, it is worth remembering that audio recording is not a priority for an action camera.

Video recording example

Application

In order to connect the camera and phone, you need to activate Wi-Fi on the camera and launch the application on the phone. After a few seconds of waiting, the phone finds the access point and makes a connection.

Application Yi Action for iOS

Application Yi Action for Android

Conclusions

XIAOMI Yi has a pleasant stylish appearance and many advantages stated by the creators and described in the accompanying documentation. Questions arise about the quality of the photo; as for the video, it is more than worthy. It is important not to forget that the price of this device is in a category from which you should not expect stunning quality indicators. In terms of price-quality ratio, the camera is fully consistent with its category and will be an excellent solution for flights.

The cost of the camera is 4500 rubles.