If you use a Xiaomi Yi action camera, then accessories for it will surely come in handy. These are small and inexpensive, but very useful devices. Thanks to them, you will discover much more possibilities for using the device. Using it will give you even more pleasure, and with the created videos you will surprise not only friends and acquaintances, but the entire Internet.

No need to search in third-party stores - everything is already in Xiaomi Store

The developer of the popular Yi action camera, the Chinese company Xiaomi, also creates additional devices and accessories. There is no need for you to turn to third-party manufacturers: hardly any of them can offer something better than Xiaomi, which created the camera and knows its features thoroughly.

Xiaomi Yi Action Camera Accessories for All Occasions

In this section, you can pick up products, thanks to which you will use the capabilities of the device to the fullest. Products are grouped in the catalog, provided with brief descriptions with photos and prices. To learn more about a product, click on it and go to the corresponding page.

To make your search even faster, select only the categories that interest you. To do this, use the filter, which is located on the left side of the screen. For you, the Xiaomi Store offers:

• aquaboxes for safe underwater shooting;
• batteries and chargers to shoot video in any conditions and in any area, even far from civilization;
• mounts and holders, including universal clamps and functional tripods, mounts and adapters for all kinds of situations, holders for animals and so on - now you can capture absolutely any process on video;
• ultraviolet filters, image stabilizers, lighting devices, thanks to which shooting will become more convenient and safer, and the video itself will look better;
• remote controls, panoramic timers, LCD displays - find out what else your action camera is capable of;

Among other things, ready-made sets of tools, fasteners and other accessories for servicing Xiaomi Yi are offered. The manufacturer not only created one of the most versatile action cameras - he also made sure that you can pick up everything you need from the available range.

In the catalog you will find accessories that will allow you to shoot hiking and sports competitions, cycling or scuba diving. Shoot through the eyes of your growing children or pets, let your imagination run wild, come up with the most incredible angles and ways of shooting.

Quality and compatibility warranties are provided on behalf of the manufacturer

A distinctive feature of the Xiaomi Store is that we cooperate directly with the Xiaomi company, which produces gadgets and products for them. Therefore, we have every reason to guarantee the quality and performance of the presented products. You can also be sure that the products sold here are fully compatible with the device - you will not have any problems using them.

Equipment and design

Video and photo

Appendix

Conclusion

The popularity of the Chinese brand Xiaomi is gaining momentum and now, once again, manufacturers are delighting with a new product - the YI action camera. Today we will talk about it and compare it with the flagship GoPro Hero 4 Silver Edition.

Equipment and design

The camera is sold in a cardboard box that is standard for all Xiaomi devices and comes complete with instructions, a battery and a charging cable. Xiaomi manufacturers, unlike GoPro, give you the opportunity to choose the color scheme. Either light green-turquoise body, or white. For the test, we got the second option.

The YI is slightly larger in length and width, the location of the lenses is different, so the possibility of using protective boxes and cases from GoPro immediately disappears, which is undoubtedly frustrating, because at the moment for Xiaomi there is only a monopod that comes with the “Travel Edition”.

There is no display here either, there is only an on / off button, which is also responsible for switching photo / video modes, a button to start recording and a button to turn on the Wi-Fi module.

You can change the rest of the camera settings and select modes only through your smartphone, using a special application, which we will talk about later. On the back of the camera, under the cover, there is a slot for micro SD cards with a capacity of no more than 128 GB and standard micro USB and micro HDMI connectors.

Like the GoPro, the lid is loose, so it's very likely to get lost. At the bottom of the camera there is a standard mount for tripods and monopods - there are no problems with this. In the near future, both covers and waterproof boxes for Xiaomi will appear on sale, therefore, there is no reason to worry, everything has its time.

Video and photo

The most important and exciting question for everyone regarding the quality of the photo and video shooting of the Xiaomi camera remains open. Will it be able to compete with Hero4 SE or not? Let's try to figure it out!

Camera modes are very similar to each other. They have almost the same shooting characteristics, but in one Xiaomi is much inferior to GoPro: there is no 4K video shooting mode.

You cannot change the viewing angle on YI - you have to be content with a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees. There is no analogue of the Protune mode, as on GoPro, either, but soon it will appear along with new firmware. It makes no sense to completely compare these two cameras, since these are completely different price segments, but even at its price, Xiaomi is stepping on the heels of GoPro.

An example video from Xiaomi YI:

Video in low light:

The Yi camera is equipped with a 16-megapixel Sony sensor, which allows it to take photos at a resolution of up to 4608 × 3456 pixels and shoot Full HD video (1080p) at 60 frames per second. Not bad, right? But that's not all: the sound is recorded in 2 channels (Stereo), there is a camera search function from the application and much more. If we compare two videos taken with our cameras in good light, few people will notice the difference. Is that Xiaomi does not have image stabilization and night shooting modes.

Appendix

At the moment, the app for Xiaomi is only available on the Android platform and in Chinese-English. The version is very crude, but the manufacturers release updates almost every week, so they will soon finalize everything and make it much more convenient. Unlike GoPro, where it is sometimes not necessary to use the application, there is no way without a program. On the camera itself, you can only switch the video or photo mode, and already inside the program you can adjust the frame rate and other important nuances.

The YiCamera app itself is more informative than the GoPro App. In the main menu, you can see the camera's battery level, communication quality, and the viewfinder device's battery level. Switching photo/single shot/video modes is at the top and switches instantly. If you dig deeper, then in the settings you can set the desired mode, quality, viewing angle and type of shooting. There are several photo modes here and each is interesting in its own way. Photo with timer, Timelapse and storyboard will help you make an unforgettable shot in any situation.

In the application for Xiaomi, as well as for GoPro, there is a rating of the best videos. So far it's all in Chinese and works only for China, but it will soon appear for other countries. There is also an online store where you can order a camera or accessories. It’s convenient, you won’t say anything, especially if you live in China.

Conclusion

This camera is suitable for both travelers and ordinary users who use ordinary cameras. Nowadays, all vloggers use action cameras to record videos "in the field", so Xiaomi is ideal for them in all respects. It has a stylish design, good video and photo quality, stereo sound and a bunch of handy features. And most importantly: in comparison with its competitors, it is inexpensive.

All buyers know that a monopoly in the electronics market is not welcome. Therefore, it is not surprising that the world-famous Hero GoPro action camera has a worthy competitor, which will be discussed in this article. Chinese mobile technology manufacturer Xiaomi Yi has unveiled its product to the public, which claims to oust 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 the "killers" of the Hero GoPro.

Company pricing policy

It’s better to start with the fact that Xiaomi is considered a serious Chinese brand. For comparison: the world-famous manufacturer Lenovo is inferior in quality and price to all products released under the Xiaomi brand. Therefore, the opinion that the digital camera for shooting in extreme conditions, released by the Chinese, is of poor quality, is erroneous.

All Xiaomi products are manufactured at the Foxconn factory. This company produces high quality computer and network equipment. One of the company's lines 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 there are no advertising and brand maintenance costs in the pricing of Chinese goods. The company is young (on the market since 2010), so purchasing power is attracted by reducing the cost of high-quality goods.

Xiaomi Yi action cameras: first acquaintance

The Chinese somehow strangely decided to remove their competitor Hero GoPro from the market. Having recreated the device in a rugged case, endowing it with great functionality and affordable price, the manufacturer did not take care of the action camera package. An ordinary gray cardboard box, without any identification marks, causes strange feelings in all buyers. And the equipment is completely capable of upsetting the future owner: a camera, a battery, a monopod tripod, an interface cable and instructions in Chinese.

No mounts or boxes for underwater shooting, not to mention the usual strap for transporting a digital device. Naturally, the manufacturer promises to fix the flaw, but this statement is unlikely to help the owner of the camera. On the other hand, many users believe that additional accessories are unnecessary, because most athletes already have reliable mounts and no one wants to overpay for additional equipment.

Appearance

Action camera Xiaomi Yi, the price of which in the Russian market is 5500 rubles, has a miniature size (two matchboxes superimposed on each other). But even such a small device, the manufacturer managed to provide external beauty and create all the conveniences 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. Around the button there are LEDs that inform the user about the battery charge.

On one of the ends of the camera there is a button to turn on the Wi-Fi module with an activity indicator. At the bottom, the manufacturer placed a mount that has a threaded connection and is adapted for a monopod tripod. On the rear wall of the device, the user will find a compartment for installing the battery, as well as a panel for installing a memory card and connecting interface cables.

Autonomy of work

Built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 1010 mAh is enough for one and a half hours of video shooting. The indicator is small, but, taking into account the physical dimensions 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. Only underwater shooting is embarrassing - it will not be possible to replace the battery without rising to the surface, and the gadget does not have a secure interface for connecting additional power.

Create high quality photos

The 16-megapixel sensor guarantees the future owner the creation of worthy photographs, and the wide-angle lens of the built-in lens (155 degrees) is an excellent choice of exposure both in nature and in a darkened room. In addition, the manufacturer installed a photosensitive Sony Exmor, which will positively affect the photo and video shooting of objects in poor lighting conditions. 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 conventional camera.

Full video shooting

Action camera Xiaomi Yi Sport can shoot video in HD and FullHD. This serious statement of the manufacturer is confirmed by all owners of the device in their reviews. However, there are disadvantages that future owners should be aware of. First, the manufacturer kept silent about the frame rate when shooting video. So, in FullHD format, the gadget can shoot at a frequency not exceeding 50 frames per second. For normal shooting of dynamic objects, this is quite enough, but for a photographer who is on the move himself, this frame rate will not be enough to get a high-quality video.

Xiaomi Yi action cameras support H.264 codec and save video in MP4 format. In fact, the manufacturer managed to achieve the golden mean in video stream processing - to get a small file at the output without quality loss. Judging by the reviews of the owners, this is one of the main advantages in 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 it resembles shooting with an old film camera, where you can see the results of the work only after developing the photos. Okay, underwater shooting - you can’t see through anything anyway, but how to choose the right exposure in the bosom of nature?

Everything is very simple. Suffice it to recall other products of the company - most of them are controlled using the Android operating system (Xiaomi fitness bracelet, watches, acoustics, headphones). A digital camera is no exception, the user only needs to connect the device via Wi-Fi to any phone. Naturally, for management you will need proprietary software, which can be downloaded from the Play Market store for free.

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 surveillance. A 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 footage directly to a device running the Android operating system. To solve the issue with autonomous power supply of the device, 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 small processor is installed in a miniature device. Xiaomi Yi action cameras are equipped with a powerful crystal, because it requires a lot of resources of the mobile platform to save the video stream in high quality. The same applies to RAM with a video adapter and a wireless module - in terms of performance, an 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 sound processor, 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 the microphone sensitivity and records sound in stereo.

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-wheeled vehicle is simply impossible. This is a major oversight by the manufacturer. While testing the camera under extreme conditions (cycling, skydiving, or ice skating) demonstrates acceptable high-definition video capture, camera shake is still noticeable.

The action camera behaves rather 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 a twenty-degree frost. This is a very low figure.

Finally

Xiaomi Yi action cameras are a desirable purchase for many users who decide to capture the pleasant moments of their lives in extreme conditions. Low cost, portability, convenient functionality and a wide range of features can attract many buyers to the new product. There are, of course, flaws, but many camera owners simply turn a blind eye to them, because Xiaomi Yi has not so many competitors in the electronics market - the nearest Hero GoPro costs 5 times more and differs little in functionality from the Chinese product.

This review began to be prepared in the spring of this year, almost along with the appearance of rumors about the second generation of the XIAOMI action camera. More than a year has passed since the start of XIAOMI Yi Action Camera sales, however, during this time this action camera has not lost its popularity and managed to get several major updates, acquire a branded line of accessories, an army of third-party developers and users. For our part, we have gained experience in using this camera, plus we are preparing a review of the second generation (we have retail and engineering samples at our disposal). By the way, by the time this material on XIAOMI Yi Action Camera was released, readers could study in detail Comparison of SJCAM M10 Plus and XIAOMI Yi .

Now there is fierce competition in this market segment, on the one hand, promoted by GoPRO with exorbitant price tags, on the other hand, a good choice from Chinese companies. As personal experience of use has shown, cameras from the "Chinese" are not inferior to GoPRO, but in some ways even superior. Speaking about accessibility, it is important to note that ordinary users do not actually have the opportunity to directly purchase XIAOMI Yi Action Camera, the purchase always goes through representatives (official and unofficial). The price tag will differ from the recommended one, for Russia the difference is more noticeable, but we will only give it, you can always choose an alternative yourself. The average cost, according to the Yandex.Market service, is 6,000 rubles.

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera review

Equipment

The XIAOMI Yi Action Camera package includes only a micro USB cable and a manual in Chinese. Against the background of competitors' cameras, it's poor. There is a version of XIAOMI YI Action Camera Travel Edition, it comes with a wireless control monopod.

Appearance

There are two versions of the body color: bright green and white (for the US market). Plus, it is possible to purchase interchangeable front panels, they are the most daring colors and are inexpensive.

The main area of ​​the body with a matte finish, fingerprints do not remain, the camera does not slip out of the hands. Textured sidewall for added grip.

On the front side, a lens protruding above the surface of the body. A high quality glass panel has been used. The outer lens is convex, with careless operation will collect scratches.

XIAOMI Yi Action Camera is controlled by three buttons. On the top side, it starts shooting, on the front, it turns on and switches the photo / video mode. On the side is a compact Wi-Fi power button. The sensitivity of the buttons is high, while wearing it in a pocket, accidental inclusions were noticed.

Circle of the main button with backlight zone. The color changes depending on the current activity. Additionally, there is an LED indicator for monitoring on each side. In movie mode, they are lit in red, in active shooting mode they flash.

This is the only way to get information from the camera. XIAOMI Yi Action Camera is devoid of a display, you will have to use an external smartphone or rely on your experience to make settings and control the shooting angle.

The place of the display was taken by a large battery cover, fastened with a latch. Hot swap is not provided, but the removal is not difficult. I recommend looking at extra batteries and a docking station for charging outside the camera.

Next to this compartment is another plug, under which there is a slot for memory cards micro SD, micro HDMI and micro USB. The video output is always an image, when connected to an external monitor, a streaming image from the camera is displayed. There is an external battery pack with a screen that connects to these connectors.

This small cover is not attached to the main body in any way. It's very easy to lose her.

On the bottom end there is a hole with a tripod thread. Simplified connection to monopods, tripods and mounts.

The assembly of the camera is excellent, XIAOMI Yi Action Camera makes a good impression.

water box

Filling

Settings and software

The original version of the application is in Chinese, but thanks to the user community, there are assemblies translated into Russian. The manufacturer itself should consider this issue, taking into account the distribution of the camera around the world.

The application allows you to view the image from the camera in the stream, switch modes (time-lapse, slow-motion and fast motion), make settings.

It is easy to understand the application, the interface is intuitive.

Testing

The camera lacks a full-fledged stabilization system. The rest of the picture looks detailed, the colors are close to natural.

Comparison of SJCAM M10 Plus and XIAOMI Yi Action Camera

Summary of XIAOMI Yi Action Camera