Home Hi-Tech Audio / Video / TV / Streaming ,,,,, When it comes to action cameras, it is now impossible not to refer to Yi. The company specializes in action cameras. The company has presented a particularly wide offer, which starts from the entry leverl models, up to the top of the range, such as Yi 4K +. It's a step up from the 4K model, and the price seems to be right.
Aesthetics
On an aesthetic level, there is not much to say. It seems, in fact, identical to the 4K model, towards which we refer the reading, with a small difference in the front cover. This features a checkered pattern, which distinguishes it at first glance from the 4K model. Also in this case it has a slightly elongated shape in a horizontal line, also to make room for the large 2.2-inch touch screen display on the back, which represents one of the added values of the room. On the top speaker and multifunction button, to turn the cam on and off, but also to take pictures or start recording. On the lower part, the door to access the battery and, unfortunately, also the MicroSD: also in this case we reiterate the inconvenience of such a solution. It is true that by connecting the camera via USB-C you will also have access to the memory files, but extracting the MicroSD is really inconvenient.
In any case, the room is still among the most minimal and elegant in the panorama, with an absolutely modern design.
Technical features
The measurements of the Yi 4K + are rather contained, equal to 65x21x42 mm, while the weight is 95 grams, to which the approximately 27 grams of the battery must be added. These are standard numbers, comparable to those of many other action cameras. The equipped hardware is thick, being an Ambarella H2 chip, quad-core ARM Cortex-A53, with Sony IMX377 sensor. The camera can reach the maximum resolution of 4K at 30 FPS (native), while from the point of view of the photos it is able to capture images up to 12 MP. Among other technical features, Yi 4K offers dual band WiFi connectivity, 3-axis gyroscope, two microphones for noise reduction, and support for low-power Bluetooth.
Maximum Video Resolutions Yi 4K +: 4K / 60fps (13Mbps Max), 1080p / 120fps, 720p / 240fps.
As already mentioned, among the valuable elements of this cam the large 2.2-inch touch screen, which has a resolution of 640 x 360 with 330 ppi. It offers a brightness of 250 cd / m2, 16: 9 ratio. These numbers on the small diagonal of just 2 inches stand out for both pixel density and resolution. In other words, the camera screen is particularly sharp and is simply a feast for the eyes, both when shooting, and when watching the videos or photos you have just taken.
The touch screen works very well and with simple slides on the screen it will be possible to quickly switch from photo to video mode, as well as very simple to navigate are the menus. It is certainly a good thing that the touchscreen responds precisely to commands, because the options to be activated and the menus to navigate are so many. It would have been difficult and inconvenient to have to navigate the interface with buttons external to the display: the touch screen, on the other hand, helps a lot in everyday use.
Many advanced options
Also in this case we refer to reading the review of the 4K model. And in fact, the Yi 4K + offers so many recording options, to be able to indulge in the best. With a simple click, switch from one shooting mode to another, choosing between Photo, Video, Burst shooting mode, Time Lapse, Slow Motion and use with Timer.
Beyond these one click options, it is possible for each mode to choose different options. For example, among the most usable, the one relating to fps. If you choose the 1080p mode you can choose between 30, 60 and 120 fps, depending on the footage to be captured, and also for the other formats the fps choice is wide. In this case, unlike the previous model, the 4K mode also allows choices, with a maximum capture of up to 60 fps.
Among the functions that can be appreciated and used even by a novice, those relating to lens correction and electronic image stabilization. The first allows you to choose whether to obtain images that are flat at the edges, therefore traditional and without the slightest fish eye effect, while the second allows you to activate or deactivate electronic image stabilization. When recording in 4K at 60 FPS it is not possible to have image correction and, therefore, it is possible to eliminate the fish eye effect in post production.
If the functions listed above are within the reach of any user, appreciated even by non-experts in the photographic field, Yi 4K + then offers other advanced functions, such as different color profiles. This is an option also present on Yi 4K and which allows you to choose between two different color profiles, standard and Yi Color. The latter offers brighter and more saturated colors, which depending on your tastes may or may not like. In any case, the choice will be up to the user, who can change the colors with a simple tap on the screen.
Video quality
Of course we let the test videos you see below speak for themselves, so that everyone can judge the quality of the Yi 4K +. The camera uses an Amba H2 SOC processor for the first time, which allows you to record videos up to 120Mbps. The image sensor fitted is the 12 MP Sony IMX377, already popular in the Yi 4K.
In terms of resolutions and framerates it is very similar to what we saw with the Yi 4K. You can still get up to 120fps at 1080p and 240fps at 720p. The big change is in the 4K resolution, which now gains 60FPS.
The camera offers electronic image stabilization up to 4K resolution at 30fps, whereas in the previous model it was not available when recording in 4K. There is no EIS when recording in 4K at 60 FPS. In any case, whatever the resolution chosen for recording, Yi 4K + is a step forward compared to the previous model.
It captures a lot of detail, videos are sharp, colors are vibrant, especially if you opt for the Yi color profile, which pushes the saturation bar up.
Even photos taken in perfect lighting conditions are truly appreciable, although an action camera is still not the ideal camera for shooting. Obviously, as with all action cameras, there is too much noise when taking pictures in poor light conditions.
Battery
Thanks to the removable 1200 maH battery the camera reaches about 80 minutes of recording when you choose 4K at 30 fps, while at 60fps it manages to reach one hour of recording. When you choose, instead, to record in Full HD, then 1080p, you can reach almost 2 hours of recording. Charging takes place via USB-C, and it takes about 60 minutes to go from 0 to 100%.
Yi 4K costs 279 euros, while the model with the waterproof case costs around 10 euros more. The cover alone, on the other hand, can be purchased for 19.99 euros. The perfect complement to this cam is the Yi Action gimbal.
On the official yitechnology website you can find support for the cam, with the latest firmware available to update the device.
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