YI: 4K action camera: GoPro check your six
The failure of its Karma drone vs DJI , resulting layoffs and now stiff competition from Chinese action camera makers too. It seems GoPro's woes are increasing with Xiaomei's YI 4K actioncam offering almost identical recording quality as the GoPro and coming in at half the price. It basically trumped the Hero 4 in all aspects.
But how good is this actioncam? How similar is it to its newest competitor, the Hero 5? how do they stack up in a side-by-side comparo? Ambarella A9SE75 SoC
The core of YI's 4K Action Camera is the Ambarella A9SE75 SoC which is the same on the GoPro Hro 5, It uses 28nm CMOS technology with a 00MHz dual core Cortest-A9 ARM processor and high-efficient Digital Signal Processor (DSP), supports H.264 BP/MP/HP first class encoding, low-power consumption even at 4K/30fps. The upgraded SoC supports Len Distortion Correction (LDC) to correct image distortion due to wide-angle lens; built-in Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS),
SONY IMX377 SENSOR This is Sony's latest imaging sensor used in its Alpha series and known as the EXMOR R. The IMX377CQT is a diagonal 7.81 mm (Type 1/2.3) CMOS image sensor with a color square pixel array and approximately 12.35 M effective pixels. 12-bit digital output makes it possible to output the signals of approximately 12.35 M effective pixels with high definition for shooting still pictures.It also operates with three power supply voltages : analog 2.8 V, digital 1.2 V, and 1.8 V for I/O interface and achieves low power consumption. Furthermore, it realizes 12-bit digital output for shooting high-speed and high-definition moving pictures by horizontal and vertical addition and subsampling. Realising high-sensitivity, low dark current, this sensor also has an electronic shutter function with variable storage time. Interestingly the Hero 5 uses the same sensor. It seems the YI does the best low light shooting compared directly to the GoPro Hero 5 and Hero Session. However, GoPro has set itself apart by introducing the ability to record RAW images (photos) – which is pretty cool. They also introduced a new HDR mode (which they call WDR). It allows you to get more dynamic shots for photos.
IMAGE STABILISATION
The YI seesm to be better in the image stabilisation department too. With the Karma stick withdrawn since it comes with the Karma drone this is another con for GoPro as YI has its own gimbal stabiliser stick but it is sold separately. But it is cheapre than the DJI Osmo.
AUDIO In comparison to the GoPro Hero 5, the YI only has 2 microphones compared to the GoPro's 3. And the GoPro's can record Audio underwater without a case as opposed to the YI that needs a case and as a result sound recording is next to impossible. Yi's 3D noise-cancellation and 48000KHz stereo audio still lose out to the Hero 5. BATTERY LIFE The YI's bigger battery in comparison to the Hero 5 has an amazing 2 hour battery life shooting 4K/30fps video as it uses a 1400mAh high-voltage 4.4V lithium-ion battery from Amperex Technology. YI 4K gives you up to 8 hours of standby time.
LENSE The YI has 7 layers of all glass optical lenses combined with an F2.8 large aperture increasing light intake to capture crisp and detailed footage. 5GHz WiFi
YI uses Broadcom’s dual-band high speed Wi-Fi. The world’s leading telecommunication semi-conductor solution provider’s latest BCM43340 chip will barely give you time to blink. It Supports 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4G/5GHz and has significantly improved anti-interference technology. Download at speeds up to 30Mbps. PRICING No contest here coming in at USD250 (RM1,200) vs USD399 (rm1,800) for the Hero 5 and USD299 (RM1,300) for the Hero 5 Session.
