Chinese smartphone maker company Xiaomi has stepped into the action camera production. Xiaomi has introduced a GoPro-like action camera. A GoPro Hero, the company’s entry-level camera, retails for around $130, but Xiaomi’s ‘Yi Action Camera’ is available for 399 CNY, that’s around $64.
The device is limited to China, initially at least, where it can be bought via its Mi.com store using Xiaomi’s (usual) flash sale model. The device is being sold by Xiaomi, but it is from partner company Xiaoyi.
Yi Action Camera records video at 1080p (60 frames per second) and includes a 16-megapixel camera that uses Sony’s highly rated Exmor R BSI CMOS image sensor. That’s superior on paper to the Hero, which records at 1080p30 or 720p60 and includes a five-megapixel camera.
Xiaomi also beats the Hero on memory (its 64 GB allocation is twice as large), and weight (it is 72g compared to 111g), while it has a slightly larger battery. Like the Hero, the Yi Action Camera can go as far as 40 meters underwater, which is probably the most important stat for those of us who like to take a camera near water.
One notable absence is the lack of rigging or casing for the camera — unlike GoPros, which ship with some basic accessories. An $80 ‘travel edition’ of the Yi Action Camera does include a selfie stick mount, especially for those into taking photos of themselves. Beyond that, it appears that the device can be strapped to anything — even a cat?! — but some kind of protective case would be useful.
