Advertising is the engine of progress, but not always products promoted by well-known brands turn out to be truly cool and high-performing. The critique, of course, is directed at the GoPro HERO. The price of the device is unjustifiably inflated. Nobody wants to pay around $200 for incomplete functionality. But there is a solution – Xiaomi Yi Sport. Just $50 and fully equipped.
An action camera is a portable digital video camera designed for shooting during movement, in extreme conditions. This explanation needs to be written in bold marker on the walls and doors of all companies trying to make and release gadgets of the action category to the market. Otherwise, these parodies of GoPro will never stop. Fortunately, Xiaomi understands this, knows it, and can produce a decent product.
Xiaomi Yi Sport: Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer | Xiaomi (China) |
| Viewing Angle | 155 degrees |
| Sensor | CMOS 1/2.3″ Sony Exmor R, 16 MP |
| Chipset | Ambarella A7LS |
| Focal Length | f=2.8 |
| Audio Recording | 2 microphones |
| Noise Reduction | Yes |
| Video Recording | 1080p 60 fps
1080p 30 fps 720p 120 fps 480p 240 fps |
| LCD Monitor | No |
| Storage Media | microSD/SDHC/SDXC card |
| Battery Life | 1 hour (1920×1080 50p in Wi-Fi streaming mode) |
| Video Codec | H.264 |
| File Format | MP4 |
| Slow Motion | Yes, 1 frame per minute |
| Continuous Mode | 7 frames per second |
| Video Modes | Maximum, high, motion, normal |
| Time-Lapse | Yes |
| Ports | microUSB, microHDMI |
| Dimensions, mm | 60.4 x 42 x 21.2 |
| Weight | 72 grams |
Xiaomi Yi Sport: Overview and Impressions
Many buyers, upon familiarizing themselves with the camera’s kit, express dissatisfaction regarding the accessories. This is understandable – the gadget is supplied with only a micro-USB cable. However, there is also a Travel Edition version of the camera, which includes a monopod with wireless control. But even this is enough, as not all buyers use protective cases and mounting sets. And paying for them is simply not desirable.
It may seem that the manufacturer saved on color options for the body – black, white, or green. But in any specialized store, it’s easy to find a case to suit your taste, even in khaki. So, there’s no need to focus on the appearance.
The body of the device is very high quality. Assembly and finishing evoke respect. The Xiaomi Yi Sport camera does not slip in the hands thanks to textured patterns on all surfaces. The only drawback is the convex lens – scratches on the lens are unavoidable. But this issue can also be addressed by purchasing a protective case.
The controls are excellent. Only 3 buttons. They are sensitive. Therefore, when carrying the camera in your pocket, you don’t need to put keys or other small items there. Around the main button, there is an LED backlight. The color changes according to the camera’s activity mode. Given the absence of a display, this is the only indicator showing the selected shooting settings. On the other hand, nothing prevents connecting the camera to a smartphone and performing fine-tuning.
One of the serious drawbacks is the fragile latch of the battery compartment cover. If you frequently change batteries, there is a risk of losing this cover.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Xiaomi Yi Sport
The biggest advantage of this action camera is its price. And this is not just a toy for kids, but a full-fledged camcorder for extreme sports. From ease of control to the quality of the recorded video with sound.
With the standard battery included in the kit, the camera works for over an hour. There were SDXC memory cards of 16 and 32 GB, which were accepted without issues. Just, we had a lot of equipment that did not recognize these ultra-fast flash drives. An advantage of Xiaomi Yi Sport is the excellent range of accessories. Yes, they need to be purchased separately. But the point is, you don’t have to pay for a whole set like GoPro.
The drawbacks include the fragile battery compartment cover. There was also a problem with connecting to a mobile device. We followed all instructions but couldn’t understand why there was no connection. But then everything suddenly worked. Still, the impression remained. One could mention the lack of a display, but for $50, there is no alternative. So, the gadget is worth it. We recommend it to professionals and enthusiasts alike.
