Category: Xiaomi

​In this article, I will compare two quite popular action cameras – YI and YI 2 4K manufactured as a part of a cooperation between two Chinese electronics companies – Xiaomi and YI Technology.

In this article we’ll take an in-depth look and compare similarities and differences between YI and YI2 4K cameras made by Xiaomi and YI Technology.

Now I know that comparing two totally differently purposed and priced cameras is not always fair, but there have been a lot of questions from readers.

We all now that YI2 is a better camera. It’s a fact.

The main question here, is YI 4K (YI2) good enough to be nearly three times more expensive than its predecessor Xiaomi YI? My mission here is to show all the features, similarities, and differences in photo, video and audio quality so that you can decide which one suits your needs and budget better.

​Before we proceed, you should also read:

• ​Xiaomi YI full review
• ​YI2 4K full review

YI vs YI 4K specification

In the table below, you’ll see a head to head comparison of the technical specs of each action camera. Take a close look, and I’ll go through each difference in a moment.

Product	Image	​Details
YI Action Camera (US Edition) Lime Green
YI Lite Action Camera, Sony Sensor 16MP Real 4K Sports Camera, 2 Inch…
​YI 4K Action and Sports Camera, 4K/30fps Video 12MP Raw Image with…

Chipset difference A9SE vs A7LSUpdate 7/14/2017 – Specs table now includes comparison with newly released YI Lite and YI4K+.

The first hardware difference is in processor. A processor or a chipset is the brain of the camera. Its purpose is to process digital signals among plenty other things. Image captured through the sensor goes into a chip to be processed before you see it on your screen. This is an extremely simplified example, but that’s what basically happens.

While both cameras are based on Ambarella chips, YI2 comes with more advanced Ambarella A9SE opposed to A7LS found in YI1. The main advantage of YI4K processor is the capability to process higher-definition videos (maximum 4K) and support of an electronic image stabilization (EIS).

Image sensor IMX377 (12mp) vs IMX206 (16mp)

Staying loyal to hardware brands that work well became Xiaomi’s trademark. Like choosing Ambarella as a processor, both YI 4K and YI have Sony’s image sensors.

What might surprise you is that cheaper camera has more megapixels. That’s absolutely correct. YI is capable of capturing 16 megapixels images, whereas YI2 can go up to 12mp. I’ll talk about image quality difference in a moment, but for now, let’s focus on hardware.

It is a well-known fact that megapixels do not matter as much as most people think. So what’s the main difference between these two sensors? Long story short, unlike IMX206, IMX377 in combination with a chip is again able to record higher resolution videos, including 4K. Even though IMX206 has more megapixels than IMX377, this image sensor just does not have enough “power” to support anything more than 2K videos.

Optics

​There is little information about the exact type of optics YI and YI2 use. According to YI Technology’s website, YI2 has 7 glass layered, whereas YI has 6 layered glass lens. Besides that, they have the same field of view thanks to wide 155° angle optics. Additionally, both have same fixed aperture F2.8 and a focal length of f=2.68mm.

Memory, battery and WiFi, and ports

First edition of YI is smaller and lighter compared to its successor YI 2 4K. The size of the YI is 60.4mm x 21.2mm x 42mm compared to 65 x 30 x 42 mm size of YI2. That means that YI2 is slightly lengthier and higher whereas they have the same width.

Weight might be a more important difference, especially for people who’ll use either of the two on their quad-copters and similar RC aircraft. YI is approximately 20 grams lighter compared to YI4K.

Memory, battery and WiFi, and ports

YI2 supports memory cards with up to 128GB of storage, whereas YI supports the maximum of 64GB micro sd cards. In order to record in 4K with YI2, you’ll have to buy at least 64GB card with 90mb/s speed, which is more costly compared to any class 10 card which will work with Xiaomi YI.

Battery performance if YI2 is better compared to YI. Both YI’s contain removable lithium-ion batteries. The difference is that YI 4K battery has a bigger capacity (1240 mAh compared to 1010mAh)

Both cameras have built in

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are two of the essential features of action cameras today. Fortunately, both cameras have built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. The difference is that YI4K now has a 5G besides 2.4G channel, so if your phone supports 5G, you can download files from YI App to YI 4K faster than with YI1. Also, the latency should be lower. Since my phone does not support 5G, I was unable to test that.

One advantage of YI over YI2 is that it has an HDMI port that allows you to directly preview footage from the camera to your TV via HDMI cable. Both cameras have the same micro USB port. This micro USB port is used for charging and connecting the camera to a PC.

What MicroSD card is compatible with the Xiaomi YI?

​The manufacturer recommends using a memory card with a FAT32 format, class 10 or higher. If you visit their website, some of the highly recommended brands include Transcend, SanDisk, and Samsung among others.

Video quality YI VS YI2 4K

​In terms of video recording, here are some samples from both cameras showing the difference in their quality.

Photo quality test Xiaomi YI vs YI2 4K

I already talked about image sensors difference in hardware part of the article. YI has a 16mp sensor whereas YI2 has 12mp one. Which means that natively YI creates higher resolution images. Besides that it means nothing.

In the next few examples, you can see the differences between photo quality among these two cameras. In my personal opinion, there is very little difference.

Let’s start with an outdoor test. In the two images below, you can compare the difference in sharpness and colors. While YI2 is sharper in long distance, YI has slightly more vibrant colors. The reason YI has slightly less sharp look in long distance is due to the adjusted focus by a manufacturer, which made this camera a little bit more close-up focused.

YI 4K sample

Xiaomi Yi sample

​You can adjust focus manually by opening up the camera and turning the lens around, but I did not do that since I  test the cameras the way I get them.

Xiaomi YI

YI 4K

Full resolution comparison of image quality between YI2 on the left and YI on the right.

​In the image above, you notice that in close up situations, there is no difference in sharpness. However in a bit more controlled lighting and setup, in my opinion, YI colors look a bit better.

Comparing the difference in color between Xiaomi YI and YI2 4K action cameras.

450% crop comparison between YI on the left and YI2 on the right, an image is a full 12mp resolution, not compressed.

​As mentioned, in close up, there is no difference in image sharpness, as opposed to long-distance shoots where YI2 appears to be sharper due to better-adjusted lens focus.

Audio quality

​While neither of the cameras can’t be proud of the audio quality (both aren’t able to be used in high-volume situations such as electronic music concerts since their microphones are too sensitive), in my tests YI 4K performed slightly better in terms of sound clearness and levels. This doesn’t mean any of the cameras have a bad microphone, it’s just that they can’t be used in loud conditions as they pick quite a lot of noise in such situations.

Design and built quality

It is said that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, I do not think that works for greenish YI which looks like a toy compared to the YI4K. Both cameras have a simple design, but YI4K has fewer buttons and simply looks better.

While both cameras are quite well-built, I would have to give the advantage to first edition YI. There are a few reasons I believe YI is more durable, even though I haven’t done any crash tests.

First of all, YI2 has an LCD screen which makes it an easier target for breaking. Second, the plastic patterned edges on YI are better made compared to its successor. Third, YI2 is 90$, so if you break it, you can get another one, that has to be counted as an advantage as well, right?

User interface and navigation

If there was one feature that I knew YI 4K will blow YI away, even before I began comparing them, that feature had to UI and UX. User interface and experience are so much better on YI2 that it’s not even possible to compare two cameras.

​YI2 has a beautiful 2.19″ touch-screen which allows you to quickly have access to settings, modes, preview videos with a few swipes of your finger. There is no screen for Xiaomi YI, that’s why in order to change settings, you have to turn on the WiFi, connect to the YI App and then change anything. Such a painful process compared to a few seconds to do the same thing on YI2.

​So when it comes to simplicity of use and navigation, YI 2 4K is an absolute winner. Not only compared to this camera but compared to all of the cameras we tested till this date on Pevly.

Xiaomi YI Specs vs. Xiaomi YI 2 Specs: Summary

These cameras share only a few features like their wide-angle lens, built-in wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, time-lapse features, and a dash cam capability among others. The improvements made on the YI 2 action cam like the battery life, the dual-band wi-fi, memory card capacity and video modes among others are also worth noting.

The question is, are you willing to shell out a few dollars more for these tweaks? Well, if the YI 2 better suit your needs, then it could be a good investment.

Xiaomi YI Accessories

​Note that YI cameras don’t fit in any of GoPro’s accessories. So, you really have to purchase a separate set for your camera. That said, check out some of these essential add-ons for your YI camera.

Xiaomi YI Waterproof Case

There’s a separate waterproof case for YI and YI 4K. Both are capable of protecting your camera up to a depth of 40 meters.

Xiaomi YI Action Camera Mounts

​GoPro mounts don’t work on the YI camera too. However, there are several types of mounts available for your YI camera which includes a head mount, bike mount, pet mount, and helmet mount among others. These mounts are also compatible with the YI 4K.

Final Review on the Xiaomi YI Camera and Xiaomi YI2 4K Camera

To sum up, both YI and YI 4K are great cameras in their own way. I loved them both. Xiaomi YI was one of the first action cameras that shook the GoPro market by providing excellent value for the money. YI 4K did the same by outranking GoPro Hero 4 in the opinion of many.

So which one is better? While they are impossible to compare due to the huge price difference, I am aware many of you will ask me which one to buy.

So here goes. I’d recommend basic YI to newbies who are on a budget who want to have excellent video and photo quality and do not mind lack of LCD and quite frustrating user experience.

For advanced users or users who can’t afford to spend 250$, my recommendation is YI 4K. Not only does it record true 4K videos and has excellent video and photo quality, but it’s also the easiest action camera to use.

Where can you buy these cameras?

​Here are some of the stores which I recommend :

• ​Buy Xiaomi YI International edition| Amazon |
• ​Buy YI 4K International edition        | Amazon |

​I hope you found this brief comparison helpful and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Additionally, if you own any of the two cameras, let me know which one you prefer and why I’d like to hear back from you.

Xiaomi YI Reviews and Related Topics

Do not forget to read some of the related articles below to you with your Xiaomi products better:

• ​Xiaomi YI review
• ​YI 4K review
• ​Xiaomi YI external LCD
• ​Xiaomi YI vs SJ4000

Whenever a new camera is due, it is always a special day. I bet you know the feeling. So when the DHL pickup stopped in front of the house, I was as excited as my doggies, because we all immediately knew that Something from Very Far Away has arrived.

Then I signed for the yellow-red-gray envelope and scissored my way through it to get at the sturdy cardboard box. Inside was yet another, smallish but beautifully made white presentation box, wrapped in a protective bubble sheet. It was solidly sealed in a tight plastic layer. I cut it carefully away to open the box and let the daylight shine upon…

What’s inside the box?

… the new Xiaomi MiJia Mini camera, a.k.a. Mi Action Camera 4K, model YDXJ01FM, sitting amid this perfect piece of packaging!

I lifted the camera with its cardboard spacer out from the box, and underneath was yet another paper spacer containing one battery, and one thin and short USB cable. That’s all?

Nope. There was also a small rectangle of the zigzag-folded piece of paper that I instantly recognized as my always-first Readme – a Quick User Guide.

Printed in Chinese ideograms. And in… nothing else.

Twenty seconds of fast-forward around the frustration…

Closer look

I could clearly feel my blood pressure rise, attempting to overcome the weight pressing down on my patience valve. How on Earth am I going to read this Guide? And then I thought, maybe I should trust my instincts. Just discover how to switch the cam on, and with Lotsa Luck maybe hen-peck my way deeper? Maybe I can find some tongue that I comprehend before I click, touch, or swipe something wrong and turn the camera into a paperweight.

Truth be told, first I had to really admire the cam because even while it’s still just a piece of dead hardware, it definitely is one beautiful product. I know you can see the MiJia Mini on about zillion other pages, but let me try and convey just my personal impressions.

Design & Quality

Xiaomi MiJia Mini is really small, bordering on dimensions where the size of my fingers gets in the way of operating it. The black camera sides have fine sandpaper texture that offers good grip on all four lateral sides. Front camera plate is also anthracite, in the powder-like matte finish, while the whole back surface is made of glass. Width vs. height ratio of the camera’s round-cornered shape is roughly 16:9, which is quite an elegant form in itself.

The cam’s optical system is recessed in a sturdy metal shark skin-textured ring which is very grippy, although it is not meant to be manipulated at all. However, if MiJia ever decides to create some kind of quick-attach accessory (like an attachment hoop for dash cam use), this surface would offer excellent friction. Consider it one donated idea.

While at that, it is obvious that some sort of lens cap would be useful to shield the optics from fingerprints, or mechanical damage. Such a lens cap is missing for now, but if MiJia produces the thing, it should be made so that it hinges at the ring encircling the lens tube. It would be very practical to quickly flip the lens cap open or closed. Consider it another donated idea!

There is a LED indicator on the front plate. It shows red when the camera battery is charging, blue when the cam is operating, white during data transfer, and orange when you’re halfway through the battery capacity. One more red LED is topside, by the main and only button.

This single large metal button is recessed into the top surface, functions as Power On / Off, and also Shutter / Record command – both photo or video, camera mode dependent. Later I found it was more capable that that!

Also topside, there is one of the microphones (the other is below the USB port) listening through a single hole. A row of six holes above the lens is where the speaker speaks from.

The USB port on the left side has a sliding cover, which is one welcome feature against the lint-in-connector problem. On the camera underside, another cover hides the battery and microSD space. This cover slides out and springs open, but only if you press at the arrow-marked spot which is actually a small, elegant lock. Otherwise, it won’t budge.

An ¼” standard tripod bushing in chromed metal situated in the optical line under the lens and the cam data imprinted on the battery cover conclude the camera underside inspection.

The touchscreen monitor is a 2.4″ LCD with a resolution of 960×480px; the largest among all the similar action cameras to date. It functions as a good touchscreen that you touch and swipe to pick among various settings.

This is sufficient for setting things up and controlling the frame, but don’t look for extra quality in color, or very good visibility in the strong light, though the monitor light intensity is adjustable among Normal, Medium and High.

Specifications

[go_pricing id=”xiaomi_mijia_mini_4k”]

App

There is a QR field in the Guide which lets you open usual sites to download the Mi Home App, from Google Play (Android) or App Store (iOS). The App lets you connect your phone to the camera’s WiFi and offers a remote user interface that enables you to change several settings, to start / stop recordings, and to view photos or videos.

Frankly, I delight in using my cameras out of hand rather than overloading my phone with yet another program to deplete the meagre power that the phone battery has, so I am skeptical about any app right from the start, but I downloaded it anyway for testing purposes.

I tried it and it wouldn’t work with my phone (Android v.6), so I scrapped it. But experiences usually vary. Perchance you’d need this App, in which case you should visit the above links.

Quick start guide

What I got with the camera was a strip of folded paper printed in Chinese ideograms. There are several neat camera drawings where all relevant parts are number-marked. Still, it was of no use to me. Why is it a problem to add small, multi-language Manual with the product?

Firmware

To put it succinctly, any Manufacturer’s website should have Guides, Manuals, and Firmware on display and available right under the product photo, but that is not understood – which is one real mystery. So I traveled the net far and wide, to finally stumble upon a site where I found new cam Firmware, and enough sensible data to bypass the pretty leaflet. Kudos to the author who saved me with these instructions! The least I can do is make it known here too.

NOTE: You always update any camera firmware at your own risk!

– Download the firmware file firmware.bin (v0.6.9.2578)
– Put the firmware.bin file into the root directory of an empty, FAT32-formatted, high-speed memory card.
– Verify the camera battery is full. Turn camera Off. Put the memory card into the camera.
– Turn the camera On. The camera will boot to a prompt screen in Chinese. Touch the button on the right side of the screen to confirm the firmware update.
– The camera will power off and flash its lights for 1 – 2 minutes. When the firmware update is complete, the camera will reset.
– Once the camera has reset, swipe downwards from the top of the screen.
– Tap on the Settings (leftmost) icon and scroll all the way to the bottom of the Settings menu.
– The Language Selection is the third option from the bottom of the list.
– Select English. Confirm. Your camera interface is now in English.

So after having the Firmware* updated, I found the Settings option for the Language Change. The camera interface became alive, and bristling with options that I could actually use!

MiJia: please add a leaflet in several popular lingos which first points the buyers of your cameras to where and how the interface language can be changed! This proved to be of top importance, because it opens all the other locks and limits. Since there is a Help file already in camera (!), all cam operations quickly become familiar – and efficient.

(* See also another link in the Erik’s comment below!)

First Attempt

The interface via the cam’s touchscreen employs swipes and touches to move through the numerous options available.

Swipe downward from the monitor top to reveal four basic menu symbols that stand for General Settings, WiFi, Monitor Lock, and Power Off.

Swipe to the left to check your recordings, and to the right for photo and video options. Tap at the SliderSwitch symbol in the lower right corner of any mode, and a submenu for that mode will let you tweak all the mode-specific things in there.

Long story short, once the interface language became readable to me, the rest was really easy, because this piece of software is very well conceived, and intuitively quick to use.

Video Quality

Video options let you control Resolution (4K @ 25fps, 2.5K @25fps, 1080 @100/50/25fps, 720 @ 200fps), Quality (Superfine, Fine, or Normal), Lens Distortion Correction (On or Off), Mic Mute (On or Off), Metering Mode (Spot, Center, or Average), EV (0, plus or minus 0.3, 0.7, 1, 1.3, 1.7, 2), WB (Auto, Incandescent, Sunshine, Cloud, or Underwater).

Then there is a Timelapse Video, where you can pick Intervals (0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 30 and 60 sec), Video Length (6, 8, 10, 20, 30, 60sec, and 2 min), Resolution (4K@25fps, 2.5K @ 25fps, and 1080 @ 25fps), Quality (as above), Lens Distortion options (as above), Stamp (Off, Date, Time, Date & Time), Metering Mode, EV, and WB as explained above.

You might enjoy Slow Motion Video by mastering control of Speed (2x – 1080px, 4x – 1080px, 8x – 720px), Quality, Lens Distortion, Metering Mode, EV, and WB as already described.

There is the option to Loop your records, where new records overwrite old ones. You can set the Video Length (1 thru 30 min), Resolution, and other already described variables.

Shooting Video+Photo is possible too. Things controllable there are Interval (from 5 thru 60sec), muting of the microphones, plus the choice of above-described options.

As to the quality, see for yourself. I think daylight footage is very decent, considering, but night shots are not what this cam has been made for. Still, since daylight actions prevail…

Photo Quality

Photo Menu lets you select Aspect Ratio (16:9 or 4:3), Output Format (JPG or JPG + DNG*… yes, this puppy also records RAW!), then all the other things, plus Shutter (Auto, and from 1/60 thru 8 sec), ISO (Auto, or 100, 200, 400 and 800), also Color (pick among Standard, Bright, Artistic, Film, and Classic).

Self-timer called Timer lets you choose between 3, 5, 10 and 15sec. Burst Rate can vary from 3, 5, or 10 pics per sec, 10 pics in 2 secs, 10 pics in 3 secs, and 30 pics in 6 secs.

And there is also the Timelapse Photo mode, where, similarly, you pick the interval, aspect ratio, lens distortion correction, stamp, metering mode and the usual rest of said options.

Photo quality is very good, except for a slightly annoying delay between pressing the shutter and a photo being taken. It’s conceptual, but there you are. Never forget the camera price.

* DNG stands for Digital NeGative file and is also considered to be a RAW image file. It is Adobe’s proprietary image standard that was created to store image data in a generic, highly-compatible format, unlike RAW files that have specific formats based on manufacturer and camera type.

UPDATE 09/11/2017 – Adding four more photos made with MiJia Mini:

FOV and DOF

The Field Of View seriously affects Depth Of Field (a.k.a. Depth Of Focus). Sometimes it is a problem, like when one wants to have blurred backgrounds. At other times it might be a sort of blessing, like when you want some simple, rugged optical system that can withstand rough usage. Exactly these features are paramount in action camera optics where there are no moving parts to break down or go out of alignment.

As a rule, the wider the FOV (the lens input angle) the longer the Depth Of Field (the lens ability to render near and far objects sufficiently sharp). Typically, the long DOF occurs with Fisheye lenses, and the shallow DOF is characteristic for telephoto lenses. Another factor influencing DOF is the Aperture (f-number), but you may disregard it since action cams have a single, constant aperture value.

While faraway objects recorded with a wide-angle lens will be sufficiently sharp, sometimes you’d want to know just how close you can approach your objects, and still have them rendered sharp. Or, what’s the minimal distance for any particular optical system before the images become blurry? Simply do this test.

Set several objects up at measured distances from “ground zero”, which is the point of view (POV) where you hold the cam while photographing. Make a few photos of the scene, and determine where the unacceptably blurry zone ends. That would be the closest distance between your camera and any object you’ll want to appear sharp in the picture.

Bear in mind that every action camera with different FOV and/or f-number will have a different DOF, and its sharp zone will begin at a different distance from the camera. Things will also change somewhat if your near objects happen to be in the middle of the framed scene. In short, these things need to be experimented with before committing oneself to some serious projects!

Sound Quality

Quite good, as far as I can tell across the range of tonal and noise frequencies. I also wanted to record the wind over bare cam’s mics, as certain action soundtracks might suffer from such noise. Best listen for yourself to the sound recorded in the short footages below:

Battery Test

Several test recordings were made outdoors. I did the recordings at a setting of highest resolution and also at the highest frame-per-second rate. In all tests, the monitor and WiFi emitter was constantly set to ON, so as to force the highest level of energy spending. The battery was charged in-camera, using a Tesla smartphone charger.

This camera battery at 1450mAh is quite capable, as action cams go. It is good for ~90 minutes of 4K recording, or for about 120 minutes of 1080p recording at 60fps.

Charging the battery with any typical smartphone charger featuring 5VDC / 1A output took about 100 – 105 minutes. I also used my smartphone cable that has the same USB connector. It made no difference; neither with the charging nor with data transfer.

NOTE: the charging / depleting values are never absolute since there are variables that influence the tests, such as ambient temperature, internal temperature, usage with or without protective housing, specific charger, production batch, also whether the monitor, WiFi or Bluetooth are Off or On, etcetera.

Waterproof Case

There was none at the moment of this writing  but…

1. UPDATE (thanks to Erik’s comment below). There seems to be an adequate case made for  this camera, though. On eBay it is described thus: (c/p)

Summary

Xiaomi Mijia has a 1/2.5″ 8MP Sony Exmor IMX317 sensor that looks through 7-element camera lens which has a FOV of 145° and an UV filter built right in. A Bosch gyroscope and 3-axis-accelerometer take care of 6-axis electronic image stabilization that is active when the camera is turned on (actually you can’t switch it off).

The images can be corrected rectilinear which is one among many user options, so the straight lines of objects appear straight in the image.

Photo and video files are processed by Ambarella A12 processor that is also used in some other action cameras, like several models produced by SJCAM, ThiEYE, or Hawkeye.

To conclude: the Mi Action Camera 4K is an almost excellent device that could be made better, merely by taking into account the things listed as Not Good. To my taste, it should have been built into an at least weatherproof case. This is supposed be an action camera, isn’t it so? Well, most of the action worth recording occurs in the Great Outdoors and an action cam should be able to shrug off the most adverse conditions out there!

MiJia… Please, just build the same quality right into an underwater casing. No middle box.

Or more simply: do away with leaky boxes forever, and you will be on top of the tree!

Good things:

• Very good price
• Neat manufacturing
• Relatively large battery
• Quality optics and sensor
• Useful and speedy interface
• Many options and sub-options
• Very good design, excellent finish
• ¼” standard metal tripod bush in optical axis

Not Good things:

The YI 2 4K made by YI Technology is a small-sized action camera with true 4K video recording capability, 12 megapixels Sony sensor, built in WiFi and Bluetooth and a touch screen. Not many Chinese brands are brave enough to challenge the GoPro Hero 4 Black and Sony FDR-X1000V.  That’s why the YI 2 comes as a refreshing addition to the market.

With its current retail price of $249.99 the YI2 is certainly not an entry-level sports camera. It’s creators pride themselves on offering more compared to a GoPro’s Hero 4 for nearly half the price.

I’ve been using the YI 2 camera for couple of weeks and in this review I would like to show you it’s features and provide you with detailed information that should be more than enough for you to decide whether to buy it.

YI2 4K specification

[go_pricing id=”yi2_4k”]

As you can  see in the table above, YI2 is powered by a A9SE75 Ambrella processor and Sony IMX377CQT CMOS image sensor. Its battery is 1400 milliampere-hour (mAh) and has 7-glass layered, fixed focus, 155° wide angle lens with a 2.8 aperture. Besides these components, it has a 2.19-inch touch screen made out of  Gorilla Glass.

Yi 2 4K versions, models and colors

The tiny YI2 camera arrives in three different colors :

• Night Black
• Pearl White
• Rose Gold

Obviously this time the manufacturer decided to go with a little more conventional color and design. Some of you perhaps remember that YI (first model or YI1) arrived in a quite garish green-yellow color.

Besides colors there are also different models, and this is something you should pay attention to. There are two versions of the camera :

• Chinese (CN Mainland Version)
• International

Differences between International & Chinese Version of YI2 4K camera?

What’s the the difference between the International and a Chinese version? To begin with the main difference is in language. At this time if you purchase a CN version there is no way to switch the camera interface to any other language but  Mandarin.

Additionally, a CN camera is only compatible with a Chinese app. Your guess is correct, the app is also in Chinese and unless you plan to learn it, you should go with international version which is in English.

In my opinion, the most important difference is that INT version has passed numerous battery tests like CE & FCC and CRUUS. These certificates are  important for a worldwide market.

One other essential is that if you bought a CN version of YI2, you can only get support from the Chinese headquarters and not YI Technology International.

To sum up, unless  you live in China or know Mandarin, you should buy an international version.

To make sure you do not get  a Chinese version by mistake, here are some links to get the right model.

|Buy International Edition |Amazon |

Bundles

Camera comes in different packages and bundles :

• Camera only (Includes : camera, battery, USB cable and a manual)
• Selfie stick bundle (Includes selfie stick, Bluetooth remote controller and everything from the camera only bundle)
• Waterproof case bundle (includes everything from camera only + waterproof case)
• Bundle with extra battery (includes everything from camera only + extra 1400 mAh battery)

Unboxing

The unit I got is the camera only package, so there aren’t many accessories in it – in fact there are pretty much none.

Inside the box of the “camera only package” or basic pack which is priced at $249, you get :

1. YI2 camera
2. Battery
3. USB cable
4. Manual

Box itself is quite simplistic but firm enough to protect the camera. The camera is packed quite neatly inside. Once the box is opened, you need to remove the front layer which contains the YI2 4K. Underneath you will see the battery which is packed separately together with a USB cable and a manual.

Being used to tons of accessories while reviewing Chinese cameras, I feel that the manufacturer should have included at least two or three pieces of equipment with the basic pack. A waterproof case for instance, which is considered an essential gadget, is not included. You have to buy it separately if you intend to use the camera underwater.

Be prepared to spend few more bucks on optional equipment, especially if you bought the basic pack like I did.

Design and build quality

The size of Xiaomi YI 4K camera is 65 x 42 x 30 mm and its weight is 96 grams (3.4 oz) including the battery. The camera is slightly bigger and heavier compared to its predecessor. It has slightly curved edges and feels quite neat in hand. It looks quite rugged and it’s obviously well made.

The design is quite appealing and simple. The entire camera has only one button. In the past I complained a lot about action cameras having too many things on them, but the YI 2 engineers really nailed it. The camera has a minimalistic and modern look.

For those color-picky people, there are three colors available (black,white and pink).

I noticed that the color coating gets scratched a bit too easily. At least that’s the case with the black color, where such scratches and scuffs are more visible. My impression is that the previous model had a patterned look which was more scratch-resistant.

On the front of the camera we only have the LED (recording/battery status indicator) and a 7-glass 155° wide-angle lens.

The top of the camera has a power (shutter/rec) button, speakers and two stereo 360° omni-directional microphones. An interesting addition is the LED recording indicator located on top of the power/rec button.

On the side of YI 2 there is a USB compartment. This is where you can plug in the supplied USB cable to charge the camera or connect it to a PC for easier file transferring.

Quite surprisingly there is no HDMI output, which means you won’t be able to plug the YI2 into your TV to preview the footage via HDMI.

In one way this is OK since it’s compensated for by the marvelous touch screen which works perfectly for that purpose. On the other hand there are people who like to view their images and videos directly from a camera onto a TV. Those people won’t be pleased with the lack of HDMI output and will have to find another way to watch videos directly from the YI 2 to a TV.

The bottom of the camera has a battery compartment and a memory card slot. Next to it is a tripod socket, which is a great addition since you can mount the camera directly onto a 1/4″ screw without any additional frames or mounts.

Finally, I saved the best for the last. At the back of the camera there is a 2.19″ LCD touch screen. The screen not only enables better composition of the videos and photos by live-viewing what you’re recording, but also allows you to preview already recorded footage.

On top of that, since it’s a touch screen it’s so easy to change settings, options and modes. I’ll talk about touch screen functions in the user interface and navigation section. For now you should know that the screen has 640*360 resolution and 160° view angle. Furthermore it allows you to view videos in 30fps.

According to the manufacturer the screen is made out of Gorilla Glass, which is resistant to scratches. In my research I was unable to find the confirmation of this. Obviously I did not want to destroy my screen just for the sake of the test (I admit it: I love my YI2 way too much to scratch it). Corning, the company behind this special type of glass, does not have the YI2 on their list.

I asked YI Technology for a document that verifies this. One of the support fellows told me they need permission from the upper management for this and that they’ll get back to me. Unfortunately, they haven’t got back to me so far.

Without any doubt the screen is one of my favorite features of YI2.

Video Quality

One of the most important factors of any action camera, video quality is certainly one of the strongest advantages of the YI 2. Not only does the camera allow you to record videos in various resolutions and modes, it’s also capable of capturing true 4K videos.

In daylight thecamera works very well. It creates quite natural looking footage.

Because of its capability to create 4K videos, this is the resolution I tested out the most. Honestly, there was no significant difference between full HD 1080p and 4K when previewing videos on my 1080p monitor or TV. I’m sure the difference would be more visible on a 4K resolution monitor.

Unlike its predecessor which had some issues with the focus adjustment, YI 2 focus was well set for both close ups and long-distance footage.

Even though most action cameras do not work that well in a low light environment, I was quite satisfied with how YI2 records at night. It’s nothing spectacular, but certainly satisfying enough for a sports camera which is primarily made for outdoor daylight use.

Two features that were quite neat were out-of-the-box slow motion and time-lapse modes. You can see how that looks in two videos below.

The only con of the camera is that electronic stabilization does not support 4K mode, so if you want less shaky footage, you’ll have to record in 1080p. Additionally, when the auto low light option is turned on (this means that camera adjusts ISO and shutter speed automatically), videos at night might look little less sharp. So my recommendation is to try to adjust settings manually according to the scene. This requires a bit of practice though.

Image Quality

Even though the previous YI camera had a 16 megapixels sensor as opposed to the 12mp in this one, the YI2 creates better photographs. Honestly, I haven’t compared them much side by side, but the YI2 has more natural-looking colors.

The YI 2 has a Sony IMX377 image senor inside and in combination with 7 glass lens the camera captures nice photographs even when facing direct sunlight.

Due to its 155 degree wide angle lens, it’s perfect for selfies as it captures not only the person but also a large portion of the scene’s background.

If you’re a fan of night photography you can experiment with different shutter speeds. Lower shutter speed leaves a camera’s sensor open to the light. More light collected and directed into an image sensor gives better, brighter output in low light.

Audio Quality

Usually the top things to consider when buying an action camera are: video, photo and sound quality. Video and photo really made me feel comfortable about YI 2, but when I started testing out the sound in different environments, I noticed there’s still lots of room for improvement.

First of all, the YI 2 has decent sound quality in normal situations. For instance it will easily pick up a conversation with a person in front of the camera (good for vlogging) and capture audio with a lower level of noise.

However, when I began taking YI 2 with me on my electronic music events its sound wasn’t good at all. As a matter of fact, my phone made better audio recording compared to YI 2 in such situations.

Below are a few audio samples captured in difficult and loud environments.

As you can hear, when there is a lot of bass, the audio gets pretty messed up.

In the other two samples you can hear that when there is no bass, the YI2 captures loud sounds decently – still not perfect but for an action camera quite decent.

One major disadvantage is that YI 4k does not support an external microphone so you won’t be able to use third-party mics and plug them into the camera directly. You can always attach an external voice recorder and merge audio and video from the camera in post production.

User interface and navigation

Let’s get right into this. How would I describe the overall user experience that Xiaomi’s YI 2 offers? Absolutely amazing.

I’ve tested plenty of action cameras and I can freely say that YI2 is without any doubt the most user friendly sports camera I tested. As a matter of fact its interface is extremely easy to understand and works quite well.  This is all thanks to it’s touch screen and the camera’s single button. Whoever was in charge of user experience and menu design deserves to be praised.

How to use YI 2?

• To turn the camera on, hold the power button for a few seconds. The YI 2 will boot up quite quickly (3 seconds approximately). If you want to record a video (assuming you’re in video mode) just click the very same power button.
• To change mode (photo, video) swipe from left to right. To return to previews mode swipe with your fingers from right to left.
• Swipe UP to enter mode settings. Here you can choose from nine different modes that YI 2 has.
• Swipe DOWN and you’ll see a few shortcuts (WiFi, Bluetooth, Lock, Power off)
• To turn the camera off, hold the power button for 3 seconds.
• To change settings click onto a tool (settings) icon. Depending on the mode you’re in different settings will appear.
• To playback your footage, click onto a play icon in the bottom left side of the screen.

Those are the basics. Pretty easy, right?

Modes

The YI 2 action camera has nine different modes. Depending the mode you’re using, there will be additional settings for each. I will briefly go through what each mode does, even though it’s pretty self-explanatory.

• Photo – Captures images in the selected resolution.
• Video – Records video in the selected format, resolution and frames per second (FPS).
• Timer – Captures an image with automatically triggered shutter in the selected interval.
• Burst  – Continuously captures multiple images.
• Time Lapse Video – Creates time lapse video out-of-the-box, no additional post production work required. (Example)
• Slow Motion – Records a video in slow motion out-of-the-box.
• Time Lapse Photo – Creates multiple images captured in selected interval. Requires video editing in post production.
• Loop – Dash camera feature. Overlaps and deletes already recorded videos when memory card is full, records video in sequences.
• Video + Photo – While recording video the camera will capture a still frame (photo) at the selected interval. This feature is also known as photo in video mode (GIT 2 camera has it also)

Settings

While each mode brings new settings to tweak, there are some which are standard and appear in all modes. Below is an overview of all settings and brief explanation of each.

This part might be a bit boring for some. However, I’m sure that it’ll be helpful to both potential buyers and existing owners of the camera to better understand the capabilities and features of Xiaomi YI 2 4K sports camera.

Video Settings

When in video mode, click on the gear/tool icon to open video settings.

Resolution

Video resolution determines how many pixels (details, dots) will your video have both horizontally and vertically. For instance 3840 x 2160 means that there will be 3840 pixels vertically and 2160 horizontally. This is quite basic clarification though.

Here is a list of resolutions that the camera offers :

• 4K (3840 x 2160) – 30, 25 fps
• 2.5k ( 2560×1920 ) – 30, 25 fps
• 1440p ( 1920 x 1440 ) – 60, 50, 30, 25 fps
• 1080p (1920 x 1080) – 120, 100, 60, 50, 30, 25 fps
• 960p (1280 x 960) – 120, 100, 60, 50 fps
• 720p (1280 x 720) – 240, 200 fps
• 480p (848 x 480) – 240, 200 fps

As you notice, besides resolution, you can choose from different FPS (frames per second). Bear in mind that depending on a video standard you select (PAL or NTSC) there will be different FPS.

For instance if you select PAL under Settings>Video Standard you can record in 4k at 25 FPS. Whereas if you choose NTSC you can record at 30 FPS.

Table below provides information on bit-rates in different resolutions and file size.

Filed of view (FOV)

FOV is an interesting option that allows you to reduce the wide angle from it’s original 155°. Reducing the angle is achieved by using software to crop the image.  Images in medium and narrow won’t look as sharp.  Medium and narrow view will reduce the fish-eye distortion caused by the wide angle lens.

• Wide
• Medium
• Narrow

Field of view and EIS (Electronic Image stabilization) work in very similar ways.

Metering mode

This mode helps your camera to measure exposure more precisely.

Auto Low Light

When auto low light is enabled the camera will try to automatically determine shutter speed and ISO.

White Balance (WB)

To change the warmth or coolness of the footage, make sure to adjust the white balance properly. There is no best WB per se.  It varies according to scene, light and the effect you’re trying to achieve. If you’re unsure, just leave it on auto.

Color

Similar to it’s competitor GoPro, YI Technology added an option which allows users to choose between two coloring setups :

• Yi Color
• Flat

The first one, Yi Color, gives color-rich images, where as the second one, Flat, provides less saturated color. The flat option should be used by consumers who want to color-correct their videos/images, and boost colors in post-production. As mentioned, it’s quite similar to GoPro’s Protune feature.

The comparison below shows the difference in color saturation between YI and flat colors.

[image-comparator title=”Yi Colors vs Flat (Color Comparison)” left=”https://pevly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/YI-2-4K-Flat.jpg” right=”https://pevly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/YI-2-4K-Yi-Color.jpg” width=”100%” left_alt=”Flat Color” right_alt=”Yi Color” classes=”hover”][/image-comparator]

ISO

ISO determines sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO should be used in lower light situations. Lower ISO should be used when there is enough light. Increasing ISO can improve your images and video at night, but it can also cause image noise.

Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS)

The YI 2 has electronic image stabilization. As opposed to optical stabilization that expensive DSLR and mirorless cameras have, all action cameras have some sort of software implemented stabilization which works in a similar way in all of them.

When enabled, EIS will reduce the field of view and crop the frame, eliminating distortion caused by wide angle and stabilizing video. You can read more about EIS here.

Image Settings

In the next few paragraphs, I’ll provide you with a brief overview of Image Settings that do not appear in the Video Section already.

Resolution

You should keep your image resolution at the highest native resolution which is 12 megapixels for sharpest looking images. If in any case you need to save space on your SD card, you can choose lower image resolution.

• 12MP (4000 x 3000)
• 8 MP (3840 x 2160)
• 7 MP (3008 x 2556)
• 5MO (2560 x 1920)

Shutter

Shutter speed controls the amount of time the shutter is opened. More time equals more light, meaning the image will be brighter. Shutter speed also controls motion blur of the photos. If you use it properly in combination with ISO and other options, you can shoot creative low-light photographs.

General Settings

Changes in general settings reflect to all nine modes.

Adjust Lens Distortion

Action cameras are wide-angle, fixed focus camera manufactured to capture entire scenes. However not all people like the fish-eye distortion which wide-angle creates, even though this is a sort of a trademark for all action cameras.

If you wish to narrow down the angle and eliminate distortion, turn the lens distortion feature ON.

In layman’s words, when enabled it will crop the frame of your image, giving the impression that distortion is eliminated. Basically it works as a simple crop. Turning this ON is handy but will decrease the sharpness of the image/video.

[image-comparator title=”Lens Distortion ON vs OFF” left=”https://pevly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Lens-Distortion-OFF-WIDE-ANGLE-1-YI-2.jpg” right=”https://pevly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Lens-Distortion-ON-NARROW-ANGLE-1-YI-2.jpg” width=”100%” left_alt=”Lens Distrotion OFF (Wide Angle)” right_alt=”Lens Distrotion ON (Narrow Angle)” classes=”hover”][/image-comparator]

WiFi

If you wish to connect to your phone via the WiFi, you can turn it on here. Additionally you can select the frequency of the WiFi (2.4G or 5G). Default setup is 5G, so if your device can’t find the camera, switch to 2.4G since your phone probably does not support 5G.

SD Card

If you wish to erase all media from the card you can format the card. Formatting the card is especially recommended when you insert the new SD card for the first time, or when you are upgrading the firmware.

Default camera mode

Some people use different modes more regularly. For instance, I almost always use video over photo. Up here you can select which of the nine modes will show up first when you turn the camera on. Default is video, but you can select time-lapse for instance. Quite a handy feature which saves time.

Bluetooth Pairing

As mentioned, YI 2 supports 4.0 Bluetooth and you can connect the camera to a Bluetooth remote here.

Brightness

LCD touch screen brightness cam be increased or reduced. Lower brightness means more battery life.

Beeps

Change the volume of the beeping or turn it off entirely if you find it inconvenient.

Video Mute

Video sound can be disabled here.

LED’s

If you wish to turn off the LED recording indicators, or just use the one on the top, you can do it in Setup>LEDs

In housing mode

Since YI camera has a touch screen at the back and only one button, lots of people were curious how YI Technology will handle camera operation and navigation underwater. Besides touch screen waterproof cases which I’ll talk about in a moment, there are waterproof cases that do not allow you to swipe or tap the touch screen. In housing mode basically transforms the “power button” into a multi functional button.

When this mode is enabled, when you press REC button, camera will start recording. When you hold it for 3 seconds, you will switch from photo to video.  You can’t turn the YI 2 off, nor change it’s settings in “in housing mode”. It’s a smart feature which partially handles the problem of having a non-touch screen housing underwater.

Video Standard

I already explained that depending on the video standard selected : PAL or NTSC there will be different FPS available when selecting video resolution.

Advanced

Advanced setups have quite a few handy things hidden.

Screen Auto lock

To make sure you do not accidentally press anything when the camera is powered on you can enable screen auto lock. The screen will lock after few moments of inactivity and you’ll have to swipe to the right to unlock it, pretty much like with any smartphone.

Auto power off

This is an option that I highly recommend you use. By choosing a specific interval after which the camera will turn off automatically unless you’re recording or using it, you’ll save on battery life. You can select from 3, 5 or 10 minutes.

Video rotation

Action cameras are tiny devices that can be mounted to nearly anything. But what if you want to mount a camera upside down?  The output footage will be upside down as well, right? Well yes, unless the camera has video rotation, which the YI2 has. The previous model lacked this feature and was unable to implement it because its image sensor did not support it.

What surprised me however is that there is auto video rotation as well. This is an amazing ability that YI2 has. It auto-detects whether camera is upside down or not. It works similarly like when switching smartphone from landscape to portrait mode and vice-versa.

AV Out

For people who want to use Xiaomi YI2 4K camera on a drone (quad-copter), you’ll be glad to know it has AV Out option.

Set Date and Time

Edit your date and time here.

Device info

Quite logically, device information gives you info on your camera, for instance it’s version, current firmware, etc. It’s important to check this when you’re upgrading to a newer software version.

Camera reset

This returns all settings back to their factory state by resetting everything to default.

• Settings
• WiFi
• Bluetooth

You can restart any of the three things offered and return them to factory setup.

Location

When you enter the location menu, you’ll see a list of different countries. I had no idea what this feature does, so I contacted the support team.

It is for changing the camera’s WIFI channel.

It means that this might help you choose 2.4G or 5G channel if you do not know to set it up manually. It’s not very useful, especially when your country is not on the list, which was my case.

WiFi App

The YI 2 camera can be operated remotely in two ways: via the Bluetooth remote controller or a WiFi app. The YI 4K has built-in WiFi which allows camera to connect to your smartphone. There are apps for both Android and iOS.

1. Download Android App
2. Download iOS App.

Before connecting to an app you’ll have to turn on the WiFi on the camera. If in any case you have trouble connecting you probably need to select a different WiFi channel inside General Settings>WiFi. For instance my phone does not support 5G, so I had to switch to channel 2.4G in order to make my camera visible to the phone.

The YI App works for both YI and YI 2. If you already own a YI, you already know the drill. It’s design is flat and minimal, but not as simple as YI 2 touch-screen navigation. Personally I found operating the camera way easier directly than via the app.

With the YI App you can preview what you’re recording in real-time on your phone, download recorded media and save it to the phone storage and change camera settings.

The previous YI had no screen (later a third party company released an external screen) so in order to change settings, you had to use an app. This time the screen solves all those issues and you probably won’t use the app as much.

Here is a  quick tip: if your phone has an SD card slot you can insert the SD card from your camera directly into the phone and copy media. However if it does not have a memory card slot you can use an app to download media.

I should mention that WiFi works very well and there’s not much latency between the camera and a phone. Also thanks to the 5G channel, the download speed is 30mb/s.

YI 2 Accessories

At the time of writing this review, there aren’t many official accessories available. This situation is already well-known because the previous model arrived on the market without accessories. Only few weeks after it’s arrival did Xiaomi start to release officially manufactured equipment.  the same scenario goes for YI2.

There are only a few pieces of accessories produced and sold currently :

• Underwater case
• YI Selfie Stick + Bluetooth 4.0 remote controller
• Protective lens + leather case

Like with any other camera, besides officially made mounts and accessories, there are plenty of third-party ones. I will cover some of the interesting ones as well. Third party additions are made by more and less known companies from China.  That’s why the prices may vary. For instance the retail price of the YI2 official underwater  housing is $40 whereas the unofficial one can be bought for $8 to $20.

This part of the review will get updates as new accessories get released and tested. In the meanwhile you can read about the best Xiaomi YI accessories, a list that I wrote.

Underwater case for YI2

The first thing you should know about the YI2 is that it’s not waterproof or splash proof by itself. That means that in order to go under water and record,  you’ll need to put it into a waterproof housing.

Official YI2 case

The officially made housing costs $39.99. It allows you to go up to 40m (132’) underwater. According to YI, lens window is made out of German Schott glass which allows light to go through it by 98.5%. This means nothing to me, but it might to you.

When in the case the camera is sealed and safe to be used under water. Just a quick tip: before using it make sure to test it for cracks and leaks.

Third party cases

Here is a list of some cases that are made to fit the YI 2 by third party companies. None of them has been tested. In the past I used a KingMA case for my YI and it worked well, though I didn’t go much in depth, just few meters underwater.

• KingMA 45m case 9.29$ (Click Here)
• Ceari 45m case 13.76$ (Click Here)
• Deyard 40m case 14.99$ (Click Here)
• Touch Screen case from 19.99$

Touch-screen case

If the camera has a touch screen how can you operate it when it’s in a waterproof case, you might ask? Well, there is a one button mode which enables you to do that. I’ll show you how it works in a moment. But a third party company made a case which allows you to use a touch screen

Selfie Stick and Bluetooth Remote Control

An officially produced selfie stick costs $45 and comes with a Bluetooth controller. It enables you to remotely trigger your camera shutter button and switch through different modes. The camera can be controlled from 10 meters (33 ft.). The stick is made out of aluminum and its head can be rotated in 360° and 180°.

In case you do not wish to spend that much on a selfie stick, you can always buy a cheap $5 stick and attach the camera directly to it. Any selfie stick that has 1/4″ threads will be compatible. Be aware that with a normal selfie stick you can’t trigger the camera.  Even if the stick has a Bluetooth jack for phones, it won’t work for the camera. You can on the other hand use your phone and connect it with the camera’s WiFI.

The best way is to simply set the camera timer to 5 seconds.  That will give you more than enough time to capture a selfie. If you think this is a hassle, just get an official stick.

The good news is that selfie stick is the same for YI and YI2.

You can buy a YI 2 stick here|Amazon|

Protective case

Keeping your camera undamaged and avoiding scratches is important. That’s why a protective leather case that comes with a UV filter is a great additional accessory.

Similar to waterproof cases, there are cases made by other manufacturers. They are made in various materials such as silicone and aluminum.

• Official YI leather case (Click Here)
• Smaco aluminum case 18$ (Click Here) / Amazon (Click Here)
• Silicone Case 3$ (Click Here)

Battery Performance

[go_pricing id=”yi2_4k_battery”]

Manufacturer: Yi Technology or Xiaomi?

Ever since tech sites announced the launch of YI2 camera, there have been lots of question regarding the company behind it. The previous model, Xiaomi YI was initially advertised as Xiaomi’s product. As tech-savvy people know,  Xiaomi is the most reputable Chinese brand, often referred to as the Middle Eastern Apple.

From what I managed to find out, the first camera was developed by Xiaomi and Yi Technology. My assumption is that initially Yi was founded by Xiaomi  and used their marketing, distribution and support channels. So basically, these two companies were certainly related. I also remember that Xiaomi handled some of my customer support queries regarding the camera.

On the other hand,  YI2 does not appear to be related to Xiaomi, at least in production. It is still possible that these guys share resources, knowledge and manpower.  The website is no longer Xiaoyi.com as it used to be named. It’s now YiTechnology.com. That in my opinion shows intention to separate two brands.

One of the Yi Technology representatives explained in one of the forums I follow (source), that Yi Technology is Xiaomi’s eco-company. That certainly means that there is a relation between the two. But neither of the two websites mentions such relation.

Also GizChina website mentions that :

The Yi brand belongs for some time already under the Xiaomi consortium and their products found the way to over 3.5 million customers worldwide (source)

I wrote an email to confirm the story and here’s the official reply from YiTechnology.

We are one of the companies on MI’s ecological industry chain. The 4K action camera is developed by YI.

For the sake of easier categorization, this camera will be placed into our  Xiaomi action cameras group, but to avoid any misunderstandings, the manufacturer is Yi Technology.

YI Technology – Customer support

Lots of Chinese brand produce cheap cameras because they save money providing you with a crappy or no support. I must say that I am very satisfied with the support I received from YI Technology. All of my questions were answered in a timely manner, briefly and precisely, except for the one about Gorilla Glass. I assume support team did not get a permission to show me documentation confirming if the LCD is really scratch-proof the from upper level management.

Besides standard email and social media support, they created a great FAQ page which clarifies 90% of questions that a first-time users would have. Thumbs up for the support team, really.

YI 2  – Frequently asked questions

Even though YI Technology made an excellent FAQ page which answers pretty much all the questions, I decided to add some that might not be featured there yet.

• Can you fit YI 2 into Xiaomi YI waterproof case? – No, you can’t.
• Does the image stabilization work in the 4K mode? – EIS does not work in 4K and in frame rates over 60 FPS.
• Can the YI 2 4K  be operated while the battery within is being recharged (via the USB port) using a portable battery? – Yes it can.
• Can you attach an external microphone  to YI2? – Yi 2 does not have external microphone jack.
• Is YI2 compatible with quad copters and drones? – Yes, it has AV Out function. More info here.
• Why do I see .thm files? – These are low bit-rate files which enable faster previewing of media vi the app.
• What is ULTRA resolution? – Ultra gives slightly wider field of view to your videos.
• What’s the working temperature of YI 2? – According to the manufacturer it’s, 0°C ~ 45°C.

How to update YI 4K firmware?

It is possible that some of the steps below might change over time, hence always make sure to check the official website prior to following these steps, though they are based on official instructions at the time of writing.

1. Make sure your camera is fully charged (or at least 50%).
2. Go to Settings>Device info and check current firmware version under |Version|
3. Go to Yi firmware page ,select proper model, SN (can be found on bottom of your camera or in Device info), language (US for international version, CN for Chinese version) and latest firmware version.
4. Click download and download the file.
5. Once that is done, format the memory card inside the camera.
6. Copy the .bin file to your memory card and rename it “firmware.bin”
7. Insert the memory card into a camera.
8. Turn on the camera and wait for an upgrade to finish.
9. Format the memory card to prevent initiating the upgrade again.

The next step depends whether or not you have a memory card reader.

If you have a memory card reader :

1. Plug in previously formatted memory card into your PC.
2. Change previously downloaded file to firmware.bin
3. Copy firmware.bin from PC to memory card.
4. Remove memory card and insert it into your YI 2 camera.
5. Turn on the camera and wait for upgrade to finish.
6. Format the memory card to prevent initiating the upgrade again.

[phpzon keywords=”Yi 2 4K camera” num=”4″ country=”US” trackingid=”pevly0d-20″ templatename=”columns” columns=”4″]

Summary

Usually when I write as lengthy a review as this one it means that I ther hated or loved the camera. In this case I really loved what Xiaomi and YI Technology did with their second edition action camera – the YI 2 4K.

The camera creates natural looking videos and photographs. For its price it is probably the best bang for the buck if you’re looking for a more advanced mid-range sports camera. For cheaper cameras you can take a look at Xiaomi YI or Eken H9.

I think the battery life is quite good and I liked the support and documentation available. What blew my mind was how easy it is to use the YI 2. Its navigation and overall user experience are an absolute breeze thanks to a touch screen and well-designed menu. The guys who worked on UX and UI deserve to be praised publicly for sure. Additionally the camera has a huge community behind it, so if you’re a fan of custom scripts and modifications, you’ll love the YI community.

Audio is decent but it really gets bad in loud environments such as electronic music festivals. The microphone is just too sensitive for that kind of recording. Furthermore, there is no external microphone support, so if you’re a an audio freak, you’ll have to record sound externally in such situations. While build quality is good, I wish that coating was more resistant to scratches.

Finally, for those guys who love previewing photos and videos directly onto a TV from camera, well… that’s not possible since there’s no HDMI output.

To sum up, I really had fun testing out the YI 2. I believe it is a very good value for the money. Personally I am very satisfied with my overall experience and I am looking forward to new cameras that this Chinese company will launch; can’t wait to see what’s next in store.

Pros :

• 4K
• Price
• Smooth user navigation
• Touch screen
• Battery life
• Good support documentation available on site
• Responsive technical support
• Great community
• Bluetooth remote controller

Cons :

• Audio overblown (example, bass)
• No HDMI output
• Does not support external microphone
• Coating prone to scratches and scuffs (especially black colored model)

|Buy International Edition |Amazon |

Xiaomi YI is without any doubt one of the best cheap GoPro alternatives. With all its pros and cons it became a “poor man’s GoPro”.

Joke aside, with great image quality, decent video and low price as its biggest advantage YI is a go to choice for people who do not want to waste money on big-brand cameras.

However, camera it self has two main problems :

• It does not have an LCD
• Battery life of 2 hours is not enough for most of us

You might be wondering, will Xiaomi create a camera with an LCD screen and better battery performance? Probably, but at the time of writing, it is quite unknown if and when will it happen.

If you already bought a “Green Ant”, there is great solution for you.

Some smart engineers created a detachable LCD screen for Xiaomi YI and a 2400mah li-Ion battery, which gives twice the recording time.

I was lucky enough to get a hold of one such power pack, and in this article I will do a short overview of it and test it out.

What is it?

Its a additional accessories set which includes gear that were never before available for YI. It is made in China, and it is not an official Xiaomi product. Company behind this power pack (as I like to call it) is SuperTig.

However, I noticed that company called Pannovo also sells this power pack. I do not have Pannovo pack, but by looking at photos in some of the stores, it really looks the same to me. Perhaps they are just different brand selling this item produced in same factory.

While I can not say for sure, I noticed that Pannovo compared to SuptTig sells these separately on some sites.

Update: It appears that most of the sites sold out these, so its hard to find them separately. In my opinion its much better value to get a whole pack.

Once again, I am unsure if the accessories pack is the same, if someone has more information, please drop a comment below. In this article I will showcase and test screen and battery made SuperTig, which you can buy here for around 40$.

Whats inside the box?

Once you open a box, here is what you will find inside :

• 1x 1.5 inch LDC display
• 1x 2400 mah Li-iOn replaceable battery
• 1x waterproof housing
• 1x replaceable waterproof back door cover
• 1x screw
• 1x 1/4 inch to GoPro mount adapter
• 1x flat base clip
• 1x USB cable
• 1x buckle lock

LCD Screen

When I first got my Xiaomi YI, in my video review summary I said :

I do not like the lack of LCD and the fact that Xiaomi sacrificed functionality for the sake of the design. Sometimes I did not know what I was recording.

Luckily, thanks to the newest invention. You will not hear my complaining anymore about inability to properly compose a photo or video, because SupTig piggyback screen solves those issues.

In essence this Xiaomi YI LCD display is a viewfinder which allows you to preview what you are recording or photographing. Or in layman’s terms with this screen you see what camera sees.

It works exactly like HDMI cable when attaching it to a TV. Even though the diagonal of the screen is only 1.5″ it is still quite handy and certainly much better than having to guess if you managed to properly catch your family in the frame for instance.

Display does not have a locking mechanism like battery has, because it is quite firmly attached. It is plugged in both USB port and HDMI port of the camera.

The built quality of the screen is not that good. Its plastic. This is however good for people who want to have light-weight solution. LCD screen weights only 23 grams (0.81 ounce). The total of camera with battery, memory card, battery cover and a screen is cca 93 grams (3.28 oz).

Can you change settings?

Most people will ask if Xiaomi YI screen allows us to change settings and options?

Unfortunately it does not. It is basically only a live preview, you can’t adjust settings or anything else. You still need to connect to a mobile app to do such tasks.

How about battery life with LCD on?

According to my tests with LCD being turned on all the time here is how the default 1010 mah battery performed :

• 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps – 35 minutes
• 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps – 48 minutes

I really enjoyed having an LCD screen, but camera indeed felt a bit bulkier and different. I noticed the the unit I got has a bit curved screen. I do not know if it is just a faulty unit, or all screens are like that due to the materials used.

Having a screen in green color would be quite neat, as the white one, which is currently produced, might not be appealing to everyone, especially if you have the “green frog” color of the camera.

One more complain is that display is sometime quite hard to pull out. You have to be very careful and patient while operating it, otherwise you might break the plugs, which can remain inside the YI, causing additional headache. Just be patient with a screen when taking it off.

Also when trying to put display into YI, try not to press actual screen, press the side edges instead, because screen is plastic and might crack easily.

| Buy LCD + Battery here | Buy Panovo LCD screen on Amazon | Buy LCD only on eBay  |

How to connect it?

It is quite simple to attach the display. Just remove the MicroSD/USB port cover, and plug it in. However if you only do this, you will see a blue screen when you turn on the camera. This means that you have to enable AV Output inside the YI app.

Once you turned AV on, screen should be working. If you do not see AV Output option inside your app, you must update the firmware.

Display can be turned on or off by pressing tiny button on the left hand side.

DIY LCD screen

Since YI is DIY and hackers camera, people who prefer to do something on their own can buy any sort of AV screen and connect it to the camera. Here is an interesting tutorial on how to do it.

If you are a bit tech-savvy, its quite simple, just wire up the RCA to the USB port. A bonus idea, you can also 3D print a housing. Hopefully this will get your creative juice flowing.

24000 mah backup battery

Battery life is something that most of the action cameras these days have. Cameras that are popular, like GoPro, have all sorts of external batteries. I was so happy to see external battery for YI.

Usual 1010mah battery gives around 2 hours of recording. This one is twice more powerful.

Backup battery weights 58g (2.05 ounces), which makes camera total weight around 107 grams (3.77 ounce). Battery has its own USB port, so you do not have to attach it to the camera to charge it.

Only plug the USB cable into your PC and the mini USB into battery USB port. Battery will show red color while its charged, which will turn off when its 100% ready.

Performance test

Here are my results with the camera in various resolutions and fps. Please note that I did not perform this test on a brand-new battery. LED indicators have been turned on, WiFi was off all the time.

• 1080 x 1920 at 60 FPS – 182.21 minutes
• 1080 x 1920 at 30 FPS – 240.43 minutes

As you can see in 1080p 30, battery life is great. It is little above 4 hours, which is twice better compared to around 120min that supplied battery 1010mah can do.

Waterproof case and other accessories

Not everyone needs a waterproof case. Not all of us are divers or do underwater footage. As you probably know, Xiaomi YI is not water-resistant, so even with the lightest rain, you would need some sort of a protection.

With this pack, you also get a 30m waterproof housing together with screws and 1/4″ to GoPro mount adapter, which will come in handy when you want to attach this camera to anything with standard action cam mount.

What I really liked is that waterproof case comes with a spare back door, which are quite more spacious, so you can fit your camera with LCD attached inside, or with a 2400mah battery.

You can find some more waterproof solutions for YI in this article.

Where to buy it?

Even though camera itself can be bought everywhere, this kit, can be found only on handful of stores.

• Amazon – link
• eBay – link

Summary

Despite this “power pack” not having a user manual, being cheaply packed and the fact it comes in a single color only, for its price it provides excellent value. More importantly it eliminates two very important issues, which held back some people from buying Xiaomi YI.

Now you can not say : “Yi is great camera with even better price, but I will not buy it because it does not have a screen” or “Its a great camera, but battery life should be a bit longer.”

I really think that SuperTig handled this quite well. They also included a waterproof case, which alone is wort around 10-15$.

In my personal opinion, the best valued accessory is external 2400 piggyback battery, which extends battery life to 4 hours of continuous recording. LCD display is also quite handy, especially for beginners. However it consumes battery quite a lot and is cheaply made. More over it does not allow you to change settings, so its just a simple view-finder to help you compose your videos better.

You might want to check some other Xiaomi YI related articles I wrote :

• |Full Review|
• |Best Accessories list |
• |Virtual Interactive Manual|
• | SJ4000 or YI which one is better?|

Finally, you can take a video in which I made about this set.

Hopefully this article was helpful. Feel free to ask a question in the comments below. If you own this pack, I would like to hear what is your experience with it.

Xiaomi Yi has became one of the most popular cameras of the year in just a few months after its release. My review of this camera became one of the most visited pages on the website. I compared this this tiny action cam and wrote about its best accessories.

So is there anything else that can be said about it? Hell yeah!

I have been receiving quite a lot of emails from guys asking  what particular button does, what icon on the app means, etc. Even though I wrote about most of this already, we all are visual human beings, and we all like presentations rather than boring text, right?

That is why I decided to create a virtual tour of Xiaomi YI showcasing product in an interactive and fun way, which you can use as a interactive manual of some sort.

Enough talking, time for a tour! To infinity and beyond!

Interactive Xiaomi YI

Here is little experiment I was working on. If you wish to have near real-life experience on how to use Xiaomi YI, feel free to click on a button or a toolbar icon depicted in the image below. Once you click on it, the short instruction on what a button does will appear on the left side of the image, or above the photo, if you are on a mobile device.

Virtual tour

When buying a product, sometimes it is really hard to know exactly how it looks like. That is why modern day web stores implement videos, and even 360 degrees view. Unfortunately, so far I was unable to find such good presentation of YI, so I decided to create one of my own. Screw you rich corporations, I am doing this my way.

I hope this virtual tour helped you understand how Xiaomi YI looks from all angles.
But, wait, since YI does not have an LCD display, all settings can only be changed via the app. “And how does app work?”
I am so glad, you asked, because I will demonstrate that to you as well in next few paragraphs.

Your two cents, ideas, questions and contribution?

That’s it for now. If you have an idea how to improve this virtual presentation or want to contribute in any way,  just drop a comment below. Found a mistake or have a questions? I will be glad to answer and help you out. Just hit that post a comment button and make your voice heard. Don’t be shy.

At the end, if you found this page helpful, please help me out and share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or Reddit. That would spread a word about this website of mine.

Until next time, to infinity and record!