Review of the YI Action Camera Basic Edition: an inexpensive pass to the world of action cameras. Xiaomi IP cameras Xiaomi yi 4pda action camera

08.12.2023

The Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi released its next hit - Yi Action Camera, which was immediately nicknamed the “GoPro killer”. A lightweight and very compact action camera is capable of not only shooting video, but also taking high-quality photographs. At any time you can download them via Wi-Fi to your smartphone using a special application. For information on how to work with the Xiaomi Yi camera, read our instructions in Russian.

Appearance of Xiaomi Yi

Procedure for turning on the device

Turning on the camera is very simple - just one press of the key (1). You may hear several beeps during the process.

Around the power key you can see a light indicator, the main function of which is to signal the current state of your device. If it lights up, the camera is turned on; if not, then it’s turned off.

Additional color indication allows you to determine the current battery charge level:

Blue color – high level
Purple – approximately half capacity remaining
Red – about 15% of the capacity remains and it’s time to recharge the camera.

Turning off the camera

To do this, you also need to use the key (1), and pressing should last about two to three seconds. Immediately before turning off, the camera will signal it three times with light and sound.

How to start shooting

Shooting both photo and video materials is carried out using the button (2) located on top. In the “photo” mode, the result of clicking on it will be a photo, and the process of creating it will be accompanied by two short sound signals.

In the “video” mode, pressing this key starts the recording process (accompanied by one short beep), pressing it again stops recording (you will hear two short beeps).

Switching between PHOTO and VIDEO modes

Immediately after turning on, the device goes into “photo” mode (the default mode can be changed in the settings). The current mode is changed by quickly pressing the power key (2).

You can determine which mode is currently active by looking at the indicator light located next to the above-mentioned key:

The indicator lights up – “video” mode
The indicator does not light - photo mode.

Charging the battery

Attention! Before charging, make sure the device is turned off! After this, connect the camera to a source of electrical energy (UMB, electrical outlet or the corresponding port of your PC) using a USB -> MicroUSB interface cable and wait. The charging connectors are located on the back of your camera body under a removable protective cover. It may take 60 to 80 minutes to fully charge the battery.

Accumulator battery

Resetting the camera to factory settings

To cancel all current settings and return the device to its original state, you must simultaneously hold down the shooting, power and Wi-Fi control keys for five seconds. In addition, you can perform a reset programmatically through the corresponding menu section.

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To begin with, we had to spend about two hours preparing the camera for use. In modern times, this is not just a long time, but a very long time! We have all long been accustomed to the fact that most devices are quite simple to turn on, and then everything is clear on an intuitive level and without any instructions.

First use experience and negative points

Immediately after turning on, the Xiaomi Yi camera basic edition action camera reported that for some reason it was working in photo mode. This circumstance seemed very strange to us, because we are dealing with a video camera... Where is the logic here? Moreover, if you switch the device to video mode, and then turn it off and turn it on again, it will again be in photo shooting mode.

You can change the camera settings only through a special application, which must first be installed on your smartphone. The program requires Android version 4.1 or higher.

Also, the lack of a display causes a lot of inconvenience, even for basic navigation through the menu.

Logic of the display system

The successful activation of the camera is indicated by the main light indicator and a sound signal. However, this does not mean that the device is ready for use; you will have to wait another ten to fifteen seconds. It is not clear why this particular moment could not be accompanied by a sound signal. After updating the software, the turn-on time of the camera was reduced to several seconds and the “blinking” of the indicators became more logical and understandable. When copying footage to a computer, the camera gets quite hot.

In addition, it took us a lot of effort to select a basic USB cable for the Xiaomi Yi action camera (only one out of three worked). Therefore, we recommend using a card reader to exchange information with a PC.

The protective cap covering USB, memory card slot and HDMI is very small in size and losing it is a breeze. It would be much better if it was attached to the body.

The delivery package is very meager, it only includes: the camera itself, a battery, and an interface cable. In the Travel version, the manufacturer was also generous with a monopod.

Speaking of monopods, you most likely won’t be able to use any one you like from third-party manufacturers. The whole point is that the screw hole is too short, which does not allow the camera to be securely fastened. However, this problem can be solved with the help of a rubber washer mounted on the monopod screw.

Advantages of the camera and impressions from longer use

Dimensions – we decided to mention them, despite the fact that almost all action cameras without exception are very small. Now I don’t want to use anything bulky to shoot video.
The video quality, in our subjective opinion, is very decent. There was nothing special to compare with; only the Sony a6000 and Canon 7d were at hand - typical representatives of a more serious niche. For everyday needs or even video blogging, the capabilities of this device are absolutely enough.
Low cost - about $70-90 (in the green case a little more expensive).
You can easily use branded GoPro accessories through a special adapter.
Battery life – when shooting videos in 1080p 25fps mode, the camera can last a little less than two hours without recharging.

Well, a few more words about the impressions that were formed after solving the main problems associated with the camera’s operation. Shooting with an action camera is incredibly cool! We were literally delighted. Firstly, it is very convenient that the device can be put into your pocket at any time, and then very quickly removed from there and continue shooting.

You can hardly feel the camera in your outstretched hand; this is not like holding a SLR camera when your hand becomes numb after a few minutes. Also pleasing is the small number of control keys; the likelihood of accidentally pressing them while shooting, moving the camera from hand to hand, or when choosing an angle is almost completely eliminated.

The Xiaomi Yi Action Camera came to me. This is my first Chinese action camera... And indeed the first camera of this format. Before that, I shot more videos with DSLRs/mirrorless cameras/phones/point-and-shoot cameras. But there was a need and desire to try action cameras and I had a lot of things. One such camera was Xiaomi Yi from a famous Chinese brand.

They gave me this camera for testing. To be honest, I asked for the SJ5000+ because the reviews about it were better at first glance, but they were sent by Xiaomi. Hopefully after some time I will have 1-2 more cameras and I can compare which is better. Looking ahead, I’ll say that I both liked the Xiaomi camera and didn’t.

The Xiaomi Yi Action camera was provided to me by the Chinese online store Banggood. There you can also find a description, technical specifications, price and the ability to order. They usually sell it for $80-90; in Moscow they cost more.

But you can get a camera on Aliexpress. There are a million options with it, for example, this one is sold immediately with a set of mounts, an aquabox, or a bare camera, you can choose.

Life hack - when shopping on Aliexpress, you can receive cashback up to 11% through (they have a browser plugin and an application for phones). I wrote everything in great detail in mine, what it is and how to use it.

Pros and cons of the Xiaomi Yi camera

Cons and first acquaintance

I'll start from the very beginning, with introductions. I had to spend a couple of hours before I could start using the camera. This is too long! I’m already used to the fact that I turned it on and without instructions everything is intuitive. I remember I bought it right before the flight to Poland, and already at the airport, just taking it out of the package, I started using it. I note that the camera is quite sophisticated, but everything is clear. And here is a small box with a couple of buttons, and first, please spend 2 hours on the Internet.

When you turn on the camera, for some reason it turns out to be in photo mode, although it’s a video camera! That is, I press and press the shutter button, and the camera takes pictures. Not logical. Moreover, if I switch to video mode and turn off the camera, it does not remember it and when turned on it again ends up in photo mode. Yes, there is a setting in which mode the camera will turn on, but how to change it is below.
Camera settings can only be changed through an application on a smartphone, which is not available on Google Play. The Android version must be from 4.1 and the phone’s processor is not Intel (I’m not sure about the processor, but I came across such information). UPDATE. The application is already available on Google Play.
There is no screen, even for the menu.
The indicators are illogical and I didn't immediately understand how everything worked.
After turning on the camera, the main indicator lights up and a signal sounds. However, this does not mean that the camera is ready for use. We have to wait another 10-15 seconds. Why couldn’t a signal be used to indicate this particular moment? UPDATE. After updating the firmware, the camera turns on in a few seconds and the indicators now blink more clearly.
The camera gets very hot when you transfer photos and videos from it.
The camera is very sensitive to the cable, only the 3rd one worked for me. UPDATE. You just need to transfer it from a flash drive through a card reader.
The cover covering the USB, flash drive and HDMI connector is quite small and easy to lose. I would make it with attachment to the body.
Poor delivery set: only camera, battery, USB cable. The Travel version also has a monopod.
Not every third-party monopod will fit, because the hole for the screw is very short, you can’t tighten the screw all the way and the camera dangles. The solution is to make a rubber washer and place it on the monopod screw. On the other hand, it’s convenient that at least the thread is standard.
Some specimens have lost focus - sharply only close up, a dull sound - as if someone had plugged the microphone hole with their finger (and this is without a box!), and there is a problem of self-discharge when turned off. There are solutions, but they are non-trivial; I’ll talk about them below. The only problem I have is bad sound.

Camera pros and second impressions

Dimensions. I decided to write this point, although all action cameras are very small. It’s just that now I don’t want to shoot a video with something bulky.
Video. It takes good pictures, I liked the quality. But I have nothing to compare with, only the Sony a6000 and Canon 7d, with which it is not at all correct to compare. In general, the quality for the blog is definitely enough for me.
Low price. It costs around $70-90, plus or minus, the green one is a little more expensive. And now, as I said, you can buy it for $70.
Through the adapter you can use GoPro accessories.
Working hours. In 1080p 25fps mode it will work for about 1 hour 50 minutes.

I will add my impressions after the main issues have been resolved. Shooting with an action camera is very cool! What a delight! It’s really convenient that you can put it in a regular pocket and then quickly take it out at any time. In an outstretched hand you don’t feel it at all; it’s not like holding a DSLR when your hand gets tired after a few minutes. It’s convenient that there are few buttons, you won’t accidentally press anything while you’re twisting it, turning it and moving it from hand to hand while shooting (that’s why I don’t like shooting video with a smartphone).

I won’t talk about the quality of photos and videos. There are a lot of examples on the Internet, in every review, whether in text or on YouTube, it’s not difficult to find. As I already said, I’m satisfied with the video quality, the only thing missing is a stabilizer, it shakes when moving. The quality of the photo is not particularly concerning, because you have a separate camera and a smartphone. Below are some photos and a short video.

Photo

Photo without any processing. The article displays resizes, and by clicking on the resize, the original will open in a pop-up Lightbox, from where you can download and view it. Well, or download it directly from the link (each photo links to the original).

Video

The first part of the video was shot on a Xiaomi Yi Action camera, the second part on a Sony a6000 camera. I specially inserted a piece of video where I didn’t do anything with the sound, so that its volume and quality were clear.

Xiaomi Yi Camera Features

The disadvantages I have listed can be considered features. Moreover, for one it is just minus-minus, for another it is nonsense, not worth attention. You probably already understand my opinion, so excuse me, I will tell you through the prism of my vision. For those who pick up a camera for the first time, I hope it will be useful, because most of the information from forums is omitted from reviews.

Camera control

The camera controls, as far as I can tell, are pretty basic. There are two buttons: the first is On/Off and also Photo/Video, and the second is the shutter release for video or photo. The camera turns on with a short press, switches to Photo/Video with a second short press on the same button, and turns off with a long press. The shutter button also works as standard, for video mode: one press - Start, a second press - Stop; for photo mode: press = photo.

Around the camera power button there is a ring light indicator, the color of which indicates the battery charge level: blue 50-100%, purple 15-49%, red 1-14%.

But the indication of modes can be confusing. Near the shutter button there is a red LED responsible for the mode. How do I know the algorithm of the indicator? It is like this: if the indicator is not lit, then this is photo mode, if it is lit, then video mode, if it blinks continuously, then video recording is in progress. It seems like nothing complicated, but all my life I thought that a red light was on that meant a video recording, so I didn’t immediately understand how everything worked. Perhaps this is the same principle in all action cameras.

Further. The indication of the photography process is also a little confusing at first; I would only indicate the shutter release itself. The Xiaomi camera has a double indication: you press the button (squeak), after a while the shutter is released (squeak+blinking). “Some time” could be 1-2 seconds.

Camera settings can be changed via smartphone

All camera settings can only be changed through smartphone applications. Including that same ill-fated “Photo” mode when you turn on the camera. I don't think this is a very convenient solution. Not only do you have to always have your phone with you, but you also become connected to the phone, which is why the camera ceases to be an independent device. What if you don’t have a smartphone, it’s broken, it’s dead? At least they could switch video recording modes, just one more button with cyclic switching. In addition, if, for example, I want to give the camera to another person to use, then I will have to install the application on his phone too. What if there is no internet?

But okay, this is nitpicking, although I came to the conclusion that it would be more convenient for me to have a menu right in the camera. In general, I liked using the application, everything works without problems and the functionality is good. It’s convenient that you can put the camera somewhere, connect your phone and see what’s in the frame.

Connecting to a computer

The next nuance, which I also already listed as a disadvantage, is sensitivity to the quality of the USB cable. And so much so that you can throw out the original cord from the kit. It’s funny, I checked 3 cables and only one was liked by the camera (every other time), but they are all working and through them I can easily transfer something to a smartphone. With the rest, when connected to a MacBook, the camera was either not visible at all, or was hanging tightly so that I had to remove the battery. Judging by the forum, everything is the same on Windows, but it all depends on the specific instance, some do not have such problems. Both on Windows and Mac OX, the camera is detected as a flash drive.

Thus, you need a card reader for microSD or a card reader for SD and an adapter from microSD to SD. This is the option I now use. You can also see photos and videos by transferring them to your smartphone using the application.

Firmware

The firmware can be downloaded from the official website or installed through the application. But you need to know your serial number, which is located under the battery on the camera. The fact is that the camera has 6 revisions, and depending on them, the firmware is different. If the firmware is from a different revision, then you can get a bricked camera. That is why it is better to download from the website only by serial number.

Problem solving

I won’t go into detail, but you and I are lucky; solutions to many problems have already been found, since the camera has been on sale for several months now and the craftsmen are not asleep. As I understand, the components in the camera (microphone, lens) are from different manufacturers, and therefore everything depends on the specific instance, some are lucky, others are not. It also happens that the focus is off, but the sound is good, or the focus is excellent, but the sound is dull.

Bad focus. Most often the problem occurs with black lenses. You need to disassemble the camera and rotate the lens (instructions one and two). It may not all work out right away.
Quiet sound. To improve it a little, you need to disassemble the camera and remove the fabric from the microphone. But in any case, you shouldn’t expect anything special from the sound, only if the microphone is completely re-soldered. Search YouTube for video instructions.
Self-discharge when switched off. It is necessary to disassemble and insert the dielectric under the board ( Video instruction).
The camera records video in chunks of 15-30 seconds, interrupting and losing part of the video. The solution is to replace the flash drive with a better and faster one. I have this problem, but it shows up at the end of the flash drive (when it’s almost finished), so I gave it up.

Conclusion

Xiaomi Yi didn’t make a very good impression because of its mistakes: I was sorting through USB cables to connect to a computer, downloading different versions of applications from the forum, googling about the operation of indicators, making an elastic band for a monopod. In general, I spent the whole evening on all these ordeals, instead of going out into the street and starting filming. In principle, you can get used to almost all the shortcomings (considering the price of the device), they are not critical. Even linking the camera to a smartphone doesn’t bother you later, because you don’t need to change settings often, you set the mode (for example, 1080p 30fps) and use it in most cases.

Therefore, the main disadvantage is the technical problems of the camera (focus, sound, self-discharge). Yes, sometimes they can also be solved, but getting into the camera is not a very civilized approach, it seems to me. My copy has bad sound (focus is fine), but now I don’t have a screwdriver on hand in China and don’t have time to look for it, so I can’t fix it, I’ll only do it when I return to Moscow.

As long as I have a Xiaomi Yi camera, I’ll use it for a while, just to understand whether I need an action camera and what I need from it (for now I know for sure, I need the sound louder, but maybe the level will be enough after the bug is fixed). Then maybe I’ll buy myself something like the Sony HDR-AS100V, it’s also inexpensive, and everything is fine with sound and focus, there’s a screen for changing settings, and there’s a stabilizer, albeit an electronic one.

Which camera should you choose for travel?

I still have a question. Are there cameras of similar sizes but better quality? Let it be more, let it be only with moisture protection (just from rain, not for diving), let it be with fewer fastenings, let it be with an electronic stub, but record normal sound and video?

Many people argue that you shouldn’t demand much from the Action Camera format, because why would you need to record normal sound when you’re snowboarding down a mountain, you’ll still add music. Why do you need a super-duper video if it's mostly selfies and not professional landscape photography or Timelapses. I agree, everything is correct. An action camera is needed primarily for extreme sports enthusiasts.

But what about NOT extreme travelers who don’t want to carry a DSLR/mirrorless camera with them, and for whom it would be more convenient to film themselves and everything around them with a small box, commenting on everything that happens during the trip?

A comment Advantages: 1. A huge number of scripts - plugins that can change the picture to an incredibly high quality level, more on this below. 2. International version! Among the advantages of the international version over the Chinese one: 2.1. Battery 990 mAh from Sony in international versus Chinese 1010 mAh in Chinese. Guess which one lives longer? 990 mAh international! For about 20 minutes. There is a video test on YouTube upon request: Chinese vs International Version (black version) Now the Chinese versions have also begun to be equipped with 990 mAh batteries. 2.2. In the international version. The battery compartment cover with a metal plate, in theory, does a better job of cooling the battery. Now the Chinese versions have also begun to be equipped with such covers. But you can get into the old party. 2.3. Smartphone application in English and Russian. 2.4. It is believed that international versions are new batches of cameras with 100% fixed problems of previous versions! And the Chinese versions may be from old batches, because... have been around for quite a long time! Size 3! She really is like a matchbox! I was pleasantly surprised! 4. There is an application made specifically for Xiaomi cameras, which allows you to flexibly manage settings and display the current camera recording mode. Connection to a smartphone via Wi-Fi. 5. The camera is literally hung with indicators of its operation. Front, back, side, bottom, everywhere there are diodes that make it clear what mode the camera is in. All this can be turned off in the settings through the application, and focus only on sound to save battery. 6. Car enthusiasts! It is possible to set up automatic video recording when the camera is turned on, and there is a cyclic shooting mode. Those. in fact, it is also a 60 FPS DVR. 7. Supports charging the camera via USB with the ability to continue recording. (You can use PowerBank when traveling) 8. Supports high-speed SDXC memory cards! Info below! Flaws: Before installing scripts! 1. Out of the box with factory settings, the camera takes decent pictures, but with very compressed quality, the full potential of which is hidden for some reason! The video is not 100% clear, the photo has watercolor elements in the background. Video bitrate is 25 Mbit/s with H264 codec level 4.2, which cannot but affect the quality. After installing the scripts, the camera takes pictures much better! 2. Sound. It is very quiet, records at a quality of 128 kbps 48 Khz and, surprisingly, in stereo (although the camera only has one mono microphone) 3. No display! It would be nice to have a tiny monochrome display to display the current state of the camera, instead of a bunch of diodes all over the camera. You don’t have to constantly think: “What mode is my camera in now?” (This is when taking photos and videos without a smartphone). Using a smartphone makes it much easier to control the camera, but the battery on the camera drains faster. 4. The camera out of the box does not allow you to shoot long videos in one file, but splits long videos into several files of the maximum possible size for it. By default, this size is 2 gigabytes (expanded to 4Gb by scripts). Those. if you shot a video with a total of 8 gigabytes (30 minute video), then on the card you will see 2 files of 4 gigabytes each. Before installing the scripts, this would have been 4 files of 2 Gb each. Which you agree is not convenient. A comment: My opinion: 1. The quality of shooting, in my opinion, is many times better using scripts from the 4PDA forum and various other thematic resources on the camera. Their essence is simple: Scripts are simply launched by the camera from your memory card when the camera is turned on and do not affect the camera firmware. These are a kind of presets or, more simply put, equalizer settings. You can always remove them, and the camera will start with the settings from the manufacturer, as after purchase, or replace them with newer ones and continue experimenting with the quality. Using them you can: Increase the bitrate of video recording, change the color of the picture (warm-cold), white balance and other parameters. Everyone can find something for themselves. Xiaomi Yi SuperView Mod to help, and then see for yourself. The number of scripts is simply huge! 2. I do not recommend flashing the camera! 3. All these shortcomings - low bitrate, color balance, after installing the scripts are corrected, the camera begins to play with new colors! Namely, the video bitrate can be raised up to 50 Mbit/s with codec level 5.0, which will have a positive effect on the quality of the recording. Those. It's not the camera itself, but the settings specified by the manufacturer. After all, in reality the camera can and can do much more! 4. I consider the optimal bitrate for video to be 35 Mbit/s, but not 25 Mbit/s out of the box! 5. It is advisable to take an SDXC memory card for the camera with the ability to record at least 40 Mbit/s, at least 10 class UHC-I, otherwise, after installing scripts with the ability to record video with a high bitrate, the sound will lag! The version of my camera is Z23L and It is discussed on the forums that this revision is considered one of the best with excellent recording quality and no mistakes. So it is, the camera is really good, but I saw a video on YouTube of how the same Z22 shoots even more clearly than the Z23L. Fortunately, in any camera you can adjust the lens yourself, but the fact remains a fact! Happy shopping everyone!

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