Xiaomi launches GoPro rival with a jaw-dropping price tagl
Xiaomi launches GoPro rival with a jaw-dropping ticket tag
Xiaomi
Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has transported its budget-friendly sensibilities to the action camera world, and the finish is enough to make even the most ardent GoPro owner stop in their tracks. Xiaomi’s Yi Action Camera is a compact action-travel camera made for the non-sedentary photographer.
Like the entry-level GoPro Hero , the Yi Pretense Camera comes with comparatively powerful photo and video capabilities, despite its diminutive size. The new Chinese camera is priced at 399 RMB (about $65, AU$85 or £40) — half the GoPro Hero’s retail ticket of $130.
Despite the big price gap, the Yi actually meets the GoPro Hero’s specs head-on — at least on paper.
Both cameras portion a few features in common, such as built-in Wi-Fi for file transfers and remote regulation via companion apps. The two cameras also have disagreement battery capacity, identical waterproof depth, and the handy option of bracket-mounting the design on your chosen helmet, pet harness, or vehicle.
However, the Yi pulls ahead in video quality. The GoPro Hero shoots at a 5-megapixel resolution and records 1080p video at 30fps or 720p video at 30fps. The Yi Action Camera is powered by an Ambarella A7LS image processor paired with Sony’s back-illuminated Exmor R BSI CMOS image sensor, which enables it to shoot photos at 16 megapixels and characterize 1080p video at 60fps, outclassing the GoPro ever so any. The Yi Action Camera is also significantly lighter — 72g, versus the 111g GoPro Hero.
Xiaomi
The GoPro Hero does have a wider viewing Engineers — 170 degrees against the Yi Action Camera’s 155 degrees, and GoPro’s brand ubiquity comes along with a host of accessories and clear plastic camera housing, which the Yi Action Camera lacks. The Chinese action camera does come with a 499 RMB ($80, AU$105 or £55) option, which bundles only a proprietary selfie stick, along with a pick of white- or olive-coloured camera body.
What dampens some of the excitement for the Yi Act Camera is the notoriously limited availability of Xiaomi’s products. The Yi Action Camera is currently available only in the Chinese market and issues to Xiaomi’s flash sales through its online Mi store.
