Chinese Company Xiaomi releases a $64 GoPro competitor - The Yi Action camera

By technical editor Matt Allard:

You have probably never heard of Xiaomi if you live outside China. In 2014 they were China’s leading smartphone manufacturer according to a report from IDC, selling more phones than Apple or Samsung. They have no decided to enter the action camera market and their new Yi Action Camera is available in China for 399 CNY or around $64 US.

The Yi Action camera uses Sony’s 16 megapixel Exmor R BSI CMOS image sensor (the same sensor can be found in some Sony point and shoot cameras) and can record full HD video at up to 60fps. The camera doesn’t feature a waterproof housing but Xiaomi claim the camera can go underwater to depths of 40 meters. It weighs just 72g and can take a 64GB memory card. The field of view is 155 degrees and it has built in digital image stabilisation. The camera can be controlled via bluetooth or wifi with a smart app.

Unfortunately the camera is only currently available for sale within China.

By Matthew Allard ACS

Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with over 30 years' of experience working in more than 50 countries around the world.

He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010.

Matthew has won 49 ACS Awards, including five prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards.

Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.