Yi 4K+ action camera
MSRP $339.98
“With 4K+, Yi has proven once again that GoPro is not alone at the top of the action camera market for anything but price.”
Avg
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Solid features for the price
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Impressive image quality
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Great touch screen
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Works with GoPro accessories
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Voice control (coming in a future firmware update)
Against
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It is not waterproof without an additional case
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The USB Type-C port can be difficult to open
Earlier this year, Xiaomi-backed Yi Technology announced the imminent release of its latest action camera, the Yi 4K+. After a brief delay due to production issues, the 4K+ is finally available for purchase, and we’ve spent the last month testing it. Now we know why this top-of-the-line action camera is aptly called the “GoPro killer.” It offers tons of features that match or beat GoPro’s flagship Hero5 Black, yet it’s $50 cheaper.
Design and features
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty and image quality of the camera, let’s take a look at the design and details.
Yi is the first action camera to offer 4K video at 60 frames per second
The overall shape is what you’d expect from a camera aimed at a market that GoPro has almost monopolized. It features the familiar boxy design that is flat on the top and bottom, but with a slight curve on the sides that gives the 4K+ a unique profile.
The 155-degree, f/2.8 lens sits left of center and sticks out quite a bit more than its contemporary, the GoPro Hero5 Black, but offers decent impact protection thanks to a subtle, integrated lens hood.
Aesthetically, the Yi 4K+ is pretty good looking, as far as action cameras go. It has one button on the entire device and a USB Type-C port on the side. At the bottom of the camera is an access door for its 1400 mAH battery and MicroSD slot, as well as a standard tripod mount.
A small detail that stood out was the placement of the tripod mount. Instead of centering it on the bottom of the camera, Yi moved it and lined it up perfectly with the lens. This means that when mounted on a tripod, the image will be centered on the center point, which is important, especially for wide-angle shots where an inch can make a big difference in the amount of distortion.
The carbon fiber pattern on the front panel of the 4K+ is a little uninspiring, but it makes a strong contrast to the rougher look of the GoPro Hero 5. The back of the camera is even simpler, with nothing more than a single glass panel that acts as an interaction point for the 2.2-inch “retina” display sensitive to touch.
Simply put, if the design of the GoPro Hero 5 resembles the Jeep Wrangler, the Yi 4K+ would be more along the lines of the Nissan 370Z. It is elegant and simple without any unnecessary decorations. Of course, this comes at the cost of durability.
Unlike the GoPro, which is ruggedized without the need for an external case, the 4K+ isn’t waterproof, shockproof, or dustproof unless it’s inside the included case, which makes it a little bulkier.
Performance
Inside the Yi 4K+ is where the real fun begins. Starting at the core, the Yi 4K+ action camera is built around Sony’s 12-megapixel back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. With the help of a 64-bit ARM Cortex processor with four cores and 2 GB of RAM, the 4K+ records video in h.264 format at a speed of up to 135 megabits per second.
The Yi was once considered little more than a GoPro copy; 4K+ shows that it is anything but.
More importantly, it’s the first action camera to offer 4K video at 60 frames per second (fps), beating the 30 fps of GoPro’s flagship Hero 5 Black. This is a rare achievement, even the vast majority of high-end interchangeable lens cameras are limited to 30 fps when recording 4K (the Panasonic Lumix GH5 being one exception). Even if the idea of watching 4K at 60fps doesn’t impress you, you can use that higher frame rate for crystal-clear slow-motion playback at 30fps without dropping down to a lower resolution, as would be required on a GoPro.
However, if you’re into extreme slow motion, the Yi 4K+ might disappoint you a bit. Interestingly, the maximum number of frames per second in Full HD 1080p is unchanged at 120 fps, which is exactly the same as the Hero5 Black. Similarly, 720p remains limited to 240 fps. While these numbers aren’t bad, with the processing power to crank out Ultra HD material at 60 fps, the 4K+ should theoretically be able to record 1080p at 240 fps — giving it another unique advantage over the competition. Unfortunately, the reason the Yi couldn’t push beyond 1080p/120 is apparently due to the limitations of the h.264 codec.
During our testing, we recorded footage in different modes. Specifically, we tested 4K video at 60 frames per second and 30 frames per second with Yi’s own electronic image stabilization engaged. Yes, unlike the Hero5 Black, the 4K+ can use digital stabilization in any resolution, including 4K (but not at 60 fps).
In favorable lighting conditions, the 4K+ picture quality is nothing short of amazing. Regardless of the mode you shoot in, the image remains remarkably sharp from edge to edge. Dynamic range is solid when using the “Yi Color” profile, but for times when you want a little more width, Yi has included a “Flat” color profile, which lowers contrast for more control in post color grading — similar to what’s available in GoPro Advanced Go through the settings.
If the fisheye look isn’t your thing, the 4K+ has integrated lens distortion correction. In our tests, with both photos and video, there was no distortion in the corrected images, even towards the edge of the frame.
The 4K+ is not waterproof, shockproof, or dustproof unless in the included case.
Electronic image stabilization also proved impressive. It won’t smooth out every bump from hard mountain biking, but it dramatically reduces jitter and almost completely eliminates jitter when walking with it in hand.
In low-light conditions, the 4K+ has a dedicated “Auto Low Light” mode that adjusts settings to offer more detail in dark scenes. While it improved the detail in the shadows, it also increased the noise present in the video. So don’t expect to use 4K+ at night for important videos without an external light source.
Action cameras are notorious for their poor battery performance, and the 4K+ is no different, although the 1400 mAH battery lasts longer than expected. Yi claims 71 minutes of battery life when recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. In our testing, the camera lasted just over 90 minutes. But that was in ideal (read: warm) weather with the electronic image stabilization turned off.
Connectivity
The only I/O on the 4K+ is a USB Type-C port on the side of the camera. This single port is used to charge the camera, unload media, and connect an external microphone. USB Type-C is a nice thing, but the data transfer speed is limited to 40 MB/s. Still, this is twice as fast as the 20MB/s offered by its predecessor, the original Yi 4K.
The only gripe I have with the single port on the 4K+ is the cover that protects it and it proved difficult to open. If you tend to trim your nails, you may have trouble accessing them.
On the wireless front, the 4K+ offers integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Bluetooth is used with accessories, such as Yi’s remote control, while Wi-Fi is used to connect the 4K+ to Yi’s dedicated smartphone app.
Speaking of the companion app, Yi’s Action App is available on both Android and iOS. Once downloaded and paired with 4K+, the app gives full control over the camera and displays live what the camera sees. In our testing, live streaming proved incredibly responsive with minimal lag, regardless of recording mode.
The app also lets you download 4K+ photos and videos directly to your phone, and Yi claims an update is coming that will let you stream live videos to Facebook and YouTube using your smartphone’s internet connection. When that update arrives, it will be another feature unique to 4K+ (although you can live stream to Twitter from a GoPro using the Periscope app).
Warranty information
Yi offers a one-year limited warranty that covers standard defects that may arise from materials or workmanship.
Yi also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return the items in their original packaging within 30 days of the date of purchase and receive a full refund. Return shipping is your responsibility, but it’s a small price to pay for some peace of mind if you’re not sure 4K+ is right for you.
Our example
Yi was once considered little more than a GoPro copycat. The 4K+ proves to be anything but, not only matching GoPro’s flagship Hero5 Black, but even surpassing it in several areas. Its affordability, compared to GoPro’s offerings, is its biggest draw, with a street price of $340. But its impressive picture quality and features make it even more enticing for adrenaline junkies looking for action.
Is there a better alternative?
You will be hard-pressed to find a more capable action camera in this price range. The Yi 4K+ offers impressive specifications and superior image quality on par with GoPro’s more expensive Hero 5 Black.
It’s not waterproof out of the box, and it lacks the impressive lineup of companion smartphone apps that GoPro has, but it’s a capable little camera that beats the GoPro in both frame rate and price.
How long will it last?
Being an action camera, you’re certainly more likely to kill this camera during an adrenaline rush than discard it due to lack of recording capabilities or age failure.
Its 4K resolution at 60 frames per second puts it a step ahead of GoPro’s current offerings. Even several generations later, 4K+ should hold up well in terms of resolution and speed, especially if Yi keeps updating its firmware and accompanying apps, which it has a solid track record of.
Should you buy it?
4K+ gives the GoPro Hero 5 Black a run for its money, literally and figuratively. If you don’t mind the lack of GoPro branding and want to save a few bucks in the process, you should definitely go for the Yi 4K+ Action Camera. If you want a rugged and waterproof camera without the need for an external case, then the GoPro Hero5 Black might be your best bet, and it might be worth the $60 premium.
Update December 27, 2017: Yi has updated the firmware multiple times since the release of the 4K+ Action Cam. New features include new languages (Russian, Chinese, German, French, and Italian), better RAW photo capture, improved voice control, more reliable live streaming, additional shutter speed options, more accurate color rendering, better battery life, and better MicroSD support cards. The original review was published on May 19, 2017.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn