The Full Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Review
Monday, March 30, 2015 at 9:50PM I must have had upwards of fifty people contact me and ask if I’d heard of the new Xiaomi Yi camera and whether I was going to review it, however a few hours before the first of those messages arrived, I’d already pre-ordered one. I suspected that a budget 1080p60 camera from a reputable manufacturer would be worth taking a look at…and it seems I wasn’t wrong.
I’ve been using it for a little over a week now, and you can find my video review below.
As I mentioned in the video I intend to revisit this camera when the waterproof case is released. At that point I’ll probably do another video showing how it performs on my motorcycle, however you should be already able to tell that the video quality from this camera is very impressive.
If you want to download my SAMPLE CLIPS & PHOTOS- then CLICK HERE. Make sure you Download and play these back locally rather than streaming them.
Waterproof Case details here (pre-order)
Below are some purchasing links
EBAY (click your country)
UK US DE NL AU BE CA CH ES FR IE IT
BANGGOOD (Links below)
Jungle Colour (Green/Lime & a bit cheaper) or White
Android App Link - http://sports.xiaoyi.com/app/sports_camera.apk
UPDATE - Connecting to the Camera.
Since the manual is in Chinese and not everyone is familar with the process of connecting to a WiFi camera, here is a basic guide.
First download and install and update the app listed above. Once it's working, then...
1) Go into the settings on your phone and look for the WiFi option
2) Turn on the WiFi on the Camera (tap the button on the side)
3) Wait approx 15 secs until the blue light starts flashing
4) In the WiFi settings on your phone you will then see the camera appear as a WiFi hotspot.
5) Connect to the hotspot - it will ask for the password - it's 1234567890
6) When the Phone is connected up to the camera - then go into the app and you can access the camera and it's settings.
UPDATE MAY 2015: Whilst the Stills & Auto-Exposure are excellent - I’ve had second thoughts about the video sharpness. After watching the footage I recorded on my motorcycle - objects at a distance look a little soft to me. I suggest you download some samples and make up your own mind.
Reader Comments (124)
Hi Techmoan, great review YouTube video well put together. I look forward to getting this camera when I can, it's funky colour and great performance. As you have said it's a bit too basic trying to operate but hope to Make good use of long time lapse shots editing into video.
I saw this on aliexpress and in the specs it says it is water resistant up to 40 meters. Do you know if this is accurate? Does it really not need a waterproof case?
Just ordered from Banggood - £57 seems like a bargain although I only have an iPhone - there is an app that "kind of" works in IOS I'm told - should do until the official app is released.
Great review as ever, thank you. I have to admit to having a cupboard full of cameras bought on the strength of your very thorough reviews.
Hi Mat, would you consider doing a review on body-worn cams? Perhaps something like this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221582994704
Hi
As one of the many many people that mailed you asking if you were going to review this camera I was all over the review on You Tube as soon as you uploaded it. Order was placed last week for a camera and I have pre ordered the waterproof case so now its just a case of waiting for the "slow boat from China" to arrive :0)
Have you any experience of hand held camera gimbles?? I was looking at this one but would be interested to hear your opinion
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/In-stock-Feiyu-tech-gimbal-G3-Steadycam-Handheld-3-Axis-brushless-gimbal-FOR-GOPRO3-and/1183829_1927500560.html
Thanlks
I've never tried gimbals but probably will at some point.
Techmoan, after some careful comparison, I have found the video sharpness quality of the Xiaomi Yi to be less than that of Mobius. i mounted both cameras together and shot videos of the same thing. upon playback, I screen capped the same scenes. the Mobius produced images that quite a bit sharper. noticeably the grass, flowers, text, etc. the Xiaomi Yi is just over all not as sharp.
the dynamic range of the Xiaomi Yi is definitely much better than the Mobius, but it's just not as sharp. this seems to be the case at all distances. is this not your experience?
Looking forward to having you return from the motorcycle!
For it is true that the image looks beautiful , but on the few videos I've seen where it was moving / shaking a bit, I had the impression that it is spoiled pretty quickly. Knowing that I would use in part for mountain biking.
And also, here in France, many complain of having sound really bad (even without WiFi).
Sorry in advance if I missed this passage in your video, I'm not an ace in English. Or even good. ^^
What do you think from these 2 things : stability under vibration and speed and sound quality ?
I travel in China exactly 1 month, so if I decide to take one, I will have to hurry to order.. ^^ '
Currently I use 2 Liquid Image Ego (you had also tested), and it is precisely the biggest problem I find this camera (in addition recurent bugs where you have to reset).
I also want to congratulate and thank for all these videos!
It only needs the sequence enduro or cross bike, or mountain bike to make it perfect. ;-D
I thought the sound was perhaps a bit too sensitive and assume it's set up that way so that some sound comes through when it's in the case. I didn't notice any special issues with vibration. The sensor seems quick enough, so CMOS wobble shouldn't be any more of an issue than it is on any other camera. I wouldn't recommend using on a bike it without the case though.
Thanks for another great review, but I'm wondering, is there anything special that prevents this camera from making your "like" list on the right? As it seems to beat other action cams on the list in both video performance and price.