YI Action Camera Kit

A supercharged GoPro rival, for peanuts

$100 Manufacturer Yi Technology, yitechnology.com Dimensions 2.3x1.6x0.8 in Weight 2.7 oz Features 16MP Sony EXMOR sensor, 155 degree lens

This small action camera is comparable to the GoPro Hero3 Silver when it comes to video options, yet it can be purchased for as little as a third of the price. Yi Technology’s approach is different to most: the camera is supplied on its own, and all the usual extras – including the waterproof housing, memory card and mounts – need to be purchased separately.

Even taking the purchase of accessories into consideration, the outlay for a fully equipped YI is still less than the majority of other budget kits. We looked at the YI Action Camera Kit, which includes the camera, a very nice selfie stick and a simple Bluetooth remote for not much more than the standalone price.

There’s no screen – you control the camera entirely from the companion iOS app. The only direct controls on the camera are the shutter button to start and stop recording, a button for power and to switch between stills and video, and a Wi-Fi activation button.

Top resolution is now 2K at 30fps (thanks to a recent firmware update) and the lowest 480p at 240fps. There are, of course, many more usable options, including 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 120fps. Switching between resolutions and frame rates shows that the camera really does have the potential to shoot strong footage at 2K, and even 480p if you feel the need. All other modes, such as time-lapse recording, are accessed through the app. Press record and there’s a noticeable delay of about two seconds before it shows a clear live view of the scene. But video quality is where the YI really stands out, and it’s exceptionally close to that of the GoPro range. Colors are wellbalanced, without the over-saturation and excessive contrast that is a common issue with many of the most recent budget small video cameras. The 155-degree field of view also gives the typically pronounced fish-eye distortion, which is part of these cameras’ style.

Motion reproduction is an important factor for any action camera, and here it again provides smooth, clean footage that can be slowed down easily to create good-quality slow motion clips. Low-light performance is an issue, but then that’s a common problem with all action cameras. The YI just about manages to control the noise, and footage shot indoors and in low light – within reason – is perfectly usable. Changes in exposure are handled well and the camera quickly balances exposures without too much of an issue.

the bottom line. In the field of budget action cameras the YI really stands out as something solid, backed by exceptional video quality.