Home Hi-Tech Audio / Video / TV / Streaming ,,,,, If the Yi brand is often associated with action cameras of excellent workmanship but also more expensive, in fact therefore in all respects rivals of GoPro, such as Yi 4K and Yi 4K +, from today something begins to move in the opposite direction. In fact, the Chinese company has recently released Yi Lite, the economic action cam, which incorporates lines, shapes and some characteristics of the high-end older sisters.
Unpacking
Believe it or not, the Yi Lite improves something over the more expensive Yi 4K: the contents of the box. Unlike its older sister, which is sold naked and raw, without accessories (unless purchased for specific bundles), Yi Lite arrives home with its underwater case, certified up to 40 meters. It is a practically indispensable accessory, because it makes the room more versatile, being able to use it in the pool or at the sea. Moreover, another positive note, is given by the fact that the underwater case is absolutely compatible with the Yi 4K, which is aesthetically identical, with the same identical measurements, equal to 65mm x 30mm x 42mm.
In addition to the measurements, Yi Lite shares much of the aesthetics with Yi 4K. First of all, it has a slightly elongated shape in a horizontal line, also to make room for the large 2-inch touch screen display on the back, which represents one of the added values of the room, on which we will return later. 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 also the MicroSD. The front, on the other hand, is minimal, with a bright LED and the sensor. On the lower part there is also the classic 1/4 thread to be able to attach a classic tripod, or similar accessories.
In short, minimal, elegant and with an absolutely modern design, almost totally identical to the Yi 4K which, as mentioned, is more expensive. As for the older sister, therefore, the beauty department passed with flying colors.
Technical features
The camera weighs 72 grams including battery. It features a 150ᵒ lens with ultra wide angle, F2.8 aperture. On the back a 2-inch touch screen, less refined than that of the Yi 4K, but still functional, able to respond perfectly to touches and data inputs. 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.
The main processor mounted on board is a Hisilicon Hi3556V100, while the 16MP sensor is the Sony Exmor R CMOS BSI. Like its big sister, the Yi Lite is capable of recording 4K video, albeit at only 15 FPS. With a resolution of 1440 it reaches a frame rate of 30, but it is useless to deny that the most adequate resolution of this camera is Full HD, with the support of 60 FPS. Those who need 4K or 2K resolutions will do well to turn their attention to the sister Yi 4K or the Yi 4K +, while the Yi Lite is optimized for 1080p recording. It supports H.264 codecs, and records in .mp4 format, with the possibility of Time Lapse Video, Slow Motion, Video + Photo. Of course, the Yi Lite allows you to take photos at 16MP with a resolution of 4068 × 3456, or at 10MP with a resolution of 3648 × 2736. Also present is the timer shooting mode with intervals of 3s, 5s, 10s, 15s
Yi Lite also shares the presence of Burst mode with its older sisters, to take a series of images with a single press of the upper button.
Yi Lite offers a range that is certainly superior to all other cameras in the same price range, allowing you to record for over 2 hours at 4K resolution, but also at 1080p at 60 FPS.
Many advanced options
Yi Lite allows you to eliminate the fish eye effect at the edges, an appreciable feature that, in fact, allows you to transform, without the need for post production, the action camera into a normal video camera, without the horizon curve effect. It is true that in this way the framed angle is reduced, but on many occasions the user may prefer this type of scenario.
The electronic image stabilization works well, and allows you to capture video without flickering, especially when holding the camera in your hand and walking or running while using it. Like Yi 4K, Yi Lite also offers other advanced features, which will allow experts to capture the best possible images. For example, the camera allows you to change the ISO, sharpness, white management and exposure as well. Not present, as on Yi 4K, the choice between two different color profiles: those captured by Yi Lite are less contrasted and bright, but probably more natural and corresponding to reality.
Photo / video quality
On the video quality of the shooting we let the test videos that we insert below talk about. In addition to the face-to-face comparison between Yi Lite and Yi 4K, we also offer a test video in 1080p at 60 FPS. We believe, in fact, that this is the main resolution of this action cam: those hoping to get higher resolution quality videos will necessarily have to spend more.
1080p @ 60 fps
Comparison Yi 4K Vs Yi Lite
The quality of the photos is above the average of other action cameras in the same price range. It certainly won't take better photos than a medium-high-end smartphone, but in any case it allows you to get enough shots, especially in optimal light conditions. Below is a gallery of photos taken with Yi Lite, without the application of filters or improvements in post production.
App
The attention to detail can also be seen in the Yi action application, available on iOS and Android for free. It is sufficient to activate the WiFi of the room, connect to the network thus created by the device, and use your smartphone as a monitor, being able to take photos / record videos remotely, by simply tapping on the smartphone. The interface is clean, minimal and, above all, modern. The range of the WiFi signal is sufficient, even if unthinkable, for example exploiting the camera on a drone, moving several hundred meters away and continuing to have a stable real-time video stream on your smartphone.
The Yi Camera app, in addition to allowing the management of one's own camera, and remote shooting, also acts as a real community; a sort of Instagram where users post photos and videos made with Yi Cams.
Conclusions
Yi Lite is an inexpensive action camera, but with good potential: well built, elegant, minimal and full of features. In addition, it is appreciable that, unlike the older sisters, it comes bundled with its waterproof case, certified up to 40 meters and compatible with Yi 4K. Among the negative aspects, however, the positioning of the MicroSD under the battery door.
Yi Lite is available on Amazon for 129.99 euros, in the different green, blue and black colors. 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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