Photography technology is seeing a dynamic change in the way it is presented. Smartphones now feature the latest camera sensors which give high-resolution images on a click. Despite all the tech DSLR/Professional cameras still remain king of the game.
The Chinese tech giant is versatile when it comes to innovation. In the recent past it has dabbled in various niches and given us; Xiaomi Ninebot, Xiaomi Drone, Xiaomi Television and much more
YI 2 has certainly become a favorite gadget for many tech geeks, but does it have what it takes to convince you? Is the camera really a “ground-breaking innovation” as Xiaomi calls it? See our review below:
Camera Sensor:
The YI 2 comes with a 12 Mega Pixel Sony Exmor IMX377 image sensor 1/ 2.3 inch in size that can record 4K Ultra HD videos at 30 frames per second. Compared to Xiaomi YI, there is a reduction in megapixel count, as the first version had a 16 MP camera which could record 1080P videos at 30 frames per second.
This means that the Sony Exmor IMX 377 sensor is much faster and more power efficient than the IMX 206 sensor present in Xiaomi YI action camera. It is capable of capturing high-resolution pictures of good quality even at low light conditions.
Touchscreen display:
The YI 2 from Xiaomi features a 2.19 inches Retina LCD display. The resolution of the display is 640×360 which translates to 330 Pixel Per Inch density, with a viewing angle of 160 degrees. The Gorilla Glass protection on the display will prevent any serious scratch.
Camera Lens:
There is a big F2.8 Aperture along with a 7 layer Optical Glass lens placed above the image sensor. The large aperture allows for more light hence improving the image quality in all conditions. The viewing angle of 155 degrees will cover a wide area while taking pictures.
Battery:
A 1400 mAh battery runs the action camera. Xiaomi claims that the device can record 4K videos at 30 frames per second for 2 hours continuously on a single charge. Also, the action camera can remain in standby mode for 8 continuous hours before it needs to be plugged in. Xiaomi YI 2 Action camera has a better battery life compared to many other action cameras including GoPro 4, which can record 4K videos continuously for 60 minutes at most. The battery being a non-removable one will be seen as a downside by many users, as most would prefer a removable battery while traveling.
Processor:
Ambarella A9SE75 Master Chip featured in YI 2 is an updated version of the Ambarella A9 Chip which runs the GoPro 4. The dual core cortex A9 processor clocked at 800 MHz, consumes low power and offers high performance. The chipset supports Lens Distortion Correction, which can correct distortion caused by the wide-angle lens.
Connectivity and features:
Xiaomi YI 2 Action Camera houses a BCM43340 Wi-Fi module that supports 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands. Bluetooth 4.0 featured in the device, will help the camera to pair with smartphones or PCs when needed.
Unwanted movements or vibrations are prevented by the Electronic Image Stabilization feature, which uses an accelerometer sensor and Gyroscope sensor to record and produce a shake-free video.
The dual microphones can record stereo sounds at 48 KHz, and can capture clear sound even in noisy environments.
Memory storage on the YI 2 can be expanded up to 64 GB using a micro SD. For best performance, it is always recommended to use a class 10 micro SD card.
The size of Xiaomi YI 2 is just 2.36 x 0.83 x 1.65 inches and weighs only 3.4 ounces, making it easily portable and the ¼” hole can be used to mount the camera on a tripod stand.
There is an optional waterproof case available that works to a depth of up to 132 feet.
Final words:
YI 2 is packed with excellent features, and the battery performance makes it one of the best action cameras available. Many photography sites have ranked the camera among the top in their lists. The fact that other action cameras with same specifications are much more expensive than YI 2 gives it an edge over the competition.
The US edition of Xiaomi YI 2 camera is available on Amazon, for the price of $249.99. The original Chinese version of the action camera can also be bought from GearBest if you are willing to wait for a week for the camera to be delivered.