Review of the best Xiaomi action cameras in 2020

Xiaomi has recently established itself in the Russian market of action cameras and, I must say, quite successfully. Its cameras are of excellent quality and affordable price, so if you don't want to overpay for the brand when buying a device, you will have to, by the way, our review of the best Xiaomi action cameras. We will consider the inexpensive and most popular models, find out what their average price is, the main advantages and disadvantages, as well as important technical characteristics.

About Xiaomi action cameras

One of the first models was released more than 3 years ago, in 2015, and was greeted with enthusiasm by Xiaomi lovers, due to the affordable price and good quality of the device. 2016 gave fans another model, and in 2017 the brand released three devices at once. In all of these cases, the action cameras were the result of Xiaomi's collaboration with the “YI” sub-brand. In 2019, two good models went on sale, created in conjunction with the division "MiJia" - 4K with a shooting angle of 145 ° and its 360 ° panoramic version. Ten modern cameras are currently on sale.

The Xiaomi Action Camera is an affordable GoPro alternative. By the way, with its new products, the Chinese company has been able to tickle the nerves and pride of a famous American brand more than once, and continues to do so.

How to choose a camera

Obviously, if you get acquainted with the review on Xiaomi, you have already decided for yourself the question of which company is the best camera, and now you are trying to decide on the model.

When planning a purchase, think about - what are your selection criteria? The functionality of Xiaomi action cameras in 2020 is quite extensive, but how much will you use this or that function? Perhaps, one should not overpay for “dopas” and dwell on the most necessary.

Will it be useful for you:

• Moisture protection - it can be of varying degrees. In its minimal version, the function will come in handy if you plan to shoot in rain or snow conditions, for example, for a bicycle, fishing or motorcycle with a helmet. A more serious degree is intended for underwater photography and diving with a camera to various depths. Even abandoning this opportunity when buying, you can easily compensate for it later, for example, by purchasing a separate aqua box, which will cost 200-300 rubles for Aliexpress;
• The body is made of expensive materials. Of course, holding such a device in your hands is tactilely more pleasant, however, is it worth overpaying several thousand rubles for it, if in both cases the build quality and the case are the same;
• Do you need 4K footage, or maybe 360 ​​degree panoramic footage? Cameras without these features are much cheaper. Therefore, if you do not assign serious plans to the device, you can neglect this.

We will not list all the capabilities of action cameras, the principle is clear.

However, if you don't care how much the camera costs, and the budget is not limited by anything, you can buy the top-end model with the maximum possibilities. Moreover, the company's principle - to do efficiently and inexpensively, gives users such a chance.

How much does a camera from Xiaomi cost

In order to navigate the price, let's turn to the Yandex.Market service, which contains a variety of relevant offers from various sellers.

Sorting by price, we see the following picture. The minimum cost for which you can purchase a camera is 3,700 rubles (YI Basic Edition action camera), while this model has fairly high ratings and a large number of reviews. This suggests that cheap for a manufacturer does not mean bad.

7 models out of 10 are in the middle price segment and cost from 5,400 to 15,000 rubles.
And only two models (YI 4K + Action Camera and YI 360 VR CAMERA) are relatively expensive, they are estimated at 20,000 and 31,000 rubles, respectively.

At the same time, only one model (YI Lite Action Camera) has a minimum rating of 4 out of 5 stars, the rest are in the range from 4.5 to 5 stars. This again shows Xiaomi on the good side.

Xiaomi quality cameras rating

In fact, as mentioned above, all Xiaomi action cameras are of excellent quality and are sold at an affordable price. Therefore, all models can be considered "the best". But some are in the greatest demand and are especially liked by users. We will now tell about them.

YI Action Camera + Waterproof Case

The cost is 3 800 rubles.

This is a set of two gadgets, thanks to which the user is given the opportunity to take photos and record videos in high quality under water at a depth of no more than 40 m. This model will be a good choice for divers and fans of other underwater sports.

The cost of the camera matches the quality. When shaken, the device takes clear and stabilized photos. The dimensions of the gadget are 6x2x4 cm, and the weight is 72 g. This model can be conveniently mounted on diving equipment, and the protective case (aqua box) ensures 100% tightness when immersed under water. The dual coating protects the lens of the device from fogging. There is shock protection.

• integrated Li-Po type battery, which is capable of removing material for 1.5 hours;
• eleven video resolution options, including recording in FHD format at 60 FPS;
• 155-degree field of view for exquisite wide-angle underwater shots;
• control via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth allows you to control the process from a distance using a mobile device.

• not detected.

Mijia Seabird 4K motion Action Camera

The cost is 6,700 rubles.

The model records video in 4K format and does not miss a beat. 7 lenses and a blue filter are great for shooting in ambient light conditions. The 12-megapixel resolution produces a detailed picture. The camera has a 145 degree field of view and a 2.6f aperture setting to capture a lot of light.

The camera has a modern generation Hisilicon Hi3559 chip manufactured by Huawei. This processor is often used to equip special cameras of professional quadcopters and DV, 3D / VR devices.

The camera is energy efficient, features MobileCamTM graphics accelerator and supports SDIO3.0 high-speed data transfer protocol. The model is equipped with an image stabilization system, and 2 processing algorithms, which were developed in professional laboratories, reduce digital noise in low light conditions and guarantee increased shooting accuracy in bright light.

• records material in 4K format at 30 FPS;
• high quality lens;
• new generation chip;
• two image processing algorithms;
• 6-axis stabilization system.

• not detected.

YI Discovery Action Camera Kit

The cost is 7,000 rubles.

This is a standard camera in the Yi Technology series. The gadget is made in the classic rectangle shape, so it supports most of the branded accessories. The device has an 8-megapixel matrix with a software increase in resolution up to 16 MP.

The viewing angle of the model is 145 degrees. The maximum video resolution is 4K @ 20 FPS. In QHD format, videos are recorded at 30 frames per second, and in FHD - 60 FPS.The model is capable of taking serial photographs and recording material in time lapse mode.

The required operating mode of the gadget is selected by clicking on the touch-type display, the diagonal of which is 2 inches. The screen is at the back. You can also sync the camera via Wi-Fi with your phone to control it from a distance.

• high-quality shooting;
• detailed and natural image;
• excellent indicators of autonomy;
• acceptable sound quality;
• availability.

• there is no picture stabilization system.

YI Lite Action Camera Waterproof Case Kit

The cost is 10,500 rubles.

The device comes with an aqua box and is aimed at extreme sports users, travelers and those who wish not to miss a single bright moment in life. The gadget takes fast high quality pictures, and also records videos in high resolution.

Thanks to the electronic stabilization system, you can record videos without fear of smoothness and shaking. The gadget is equipped with a touch screen with a diagonal of 2 inches. It is protected by chemically toughened Gorilla Glass.

The model records videos in UHD format at 30 FPS with the image stabilization option activated. The gadget supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless modules, which makes it possible to synchronize it with the phone to broadcast the image to the smartphone display.

• touch LCD-screen;
• wide-angle lens;
• you can shoot videos in high definition;
• comes with aqua box;
• fashionable appearance.

• not detected.

YI 360 VR CAMERA

The cost is 20,000 rubles.

The model is equipped with two SONY IMX377 lenses, the resolution of which is 12 MP, and the viewing angle of each is 220 degrees. The maximum video resolution is 5760x2880px at 30 frames per second, and for dynamic scenes there is a 2560x1280px mode at 60 FPS.

Software "stitching" is possible only for video recording in 4096x2048px resolution at 30 frames per second. Stitching frames does not need manual processing and is fully automated, and the maximum resolution is limited to 5760x2880px.

Streaming to FB, YouTube or via the RTMP protocol is carried out via a wireless Wi-Fi module with a bit rate from 6 to 13 Mb / s at a resolution of 2560x1280px at a speed of 30 frames per second. Streaming video processing and stitching of local material is carried out using the powerful Ambarella H2V95 chip. Autonomy when recording in 4K is 75 minutes.

• good image quality;
• panoramic material is done with one click;
• automatic stitching of 4K clips;
• the ability to broadcast in real time.

• small range of Wi-Fi.

MiJia 4K

The cost is from 7,200 rubles.

As the name implies, this model records video in 4K format, a viewing angle of 145 degrees. This is one of the few honest 4K at this price.

The camera has an image stabilizer, due to which static objects in the frame will not be blurred, even when photographing “handheld”.

The battery provides approximately 1.5 hours of continuous shooting. The device has no internal memory, and the size of the micro-SD card is limited to 64 GB.

MiJia 4K weighs less than a regular smartphone - only 99 grams. The body is made of dense rough plastic. The manufacturer obviously had to save money on it in order to meet the budget, but, at the same time, it looks quite good.

Package contents - camera, documentation, USB cable and battery.

• Favorable cost;
• Nice appearance;
• There is a tripod connector;
• Sufficient bitrate;
• Video in UHD 4K resolution;
• Shoots photos in RAW format;
• Automatically removes distortion;
• There is a firmware with a pre-color correction mode with very natural and pleasant colors (F-LOG);
• There is a Time-Lapse slow motion mode (4K and 2.5K resolution);
• You can buy a camera much cheaper, for about 5 thousand rubles, on Aliexpress;
• All camera accessories can be ordered for a penny on Aliexpress;
• Does not slip in hands;
• There is an LCD display;
• The battery holds a charge well and allows you to shoot for up to 2 hours in normal temperature conditions;
• Always works great and does not fail even in extreme conditions (does not turn off and does not freeze);
• Excellent build quality - no backlash or squeaks.

• The Image Stabilizer doesn't work perfectly;
• It discharges faster in the cold;
• Mi-Home app works better with Android smartphones than iPhones;
• The sound is not very good, as with all budget cameras;
• Constantly updated;
• The firmware does not reveal all the capabilities of the hardware;
• There is no zoom;
• No lens protection;
• Lacks manual settings for video recording;
• A high-speed memory card is required for full-fledged 4K video shooting;
• Adequate lighting is required for good quality footage;
• Without a cover from light touches, the screen is pressed, turning on the camera and dropping the battery.

MiJia 360

Cost - from 15,000 rubles.

This is the first panoramic camera from Xiaomi capable of capturing 360-degree photos and videos of everything that happens around it. When viewing the received material, you can twist it in different directions using the Scroll. And, although panoramic cameras appeared on the market back in 2015 and you won't surprise anyone with them, “MiJia 360” is the model that you should pay attention to.

It looks more premium than the representatives of other Xiaomi series, due to the external frame made of anodized aluminum, the front back panel is made of plastic resembling a soft-touch. Above - the power, power and Wi-Fi buttons for connecting with a smartphone.

On the side, under the flap, there is a USB charging slot and a slot for a micro-SD memory card supporting up to 128 GB. It should be noted that the camera works only with 8 card models, which you can read about in the application or on the manufacturer's website.

Also on the front panel there are light indicators - shooting mode and battery charge. At the bottom there is a tripod thread and contacts for the original monopod.

The camera can write only in the 3.5K mode, and this resolution of the entire panorama and the detail is rather low. But, the device works in the mode of a video recorder, time-lapse and photo with a timer delay.

A protective case and aqua box are not provided, but the camera is protected from water according to the IP67 standard. The lenses are also well protected, made of mineral glass with a hardness of 8/10.

The package bundle is typically modest - a camera, soft case, tripod, USB cable and documentation.

• Stylish sophisticated design;
• Used high-quality materials (from packaging to cameras and accessories);
• The camera is compact, fits easily into a pocket;
• Affordable price;
• Rich equipment;
• Allows you to receive great content;
• High-quality sound, not typical for cameras in this price range;
• The software is regularly updated and improved;
• It connects well with the application in Russian;
• Photos are high quality and clear;
• A worthy competitor to the GoPro Fusion 360, which is greatly overpriced.

• Incomplete firmware;
• Heat a lot when shooting due to the built-in battery;
• It is impossible to mark the geolocation on the displayed photos;
• Only certain memory cards are suitable;
• I can't download photos to my phone.

YI Basic Edition

The cost is from 3 700 rubles.

This is the minimum package you can order. The model was nicknamed “the killer GoPro Hero 3”, for a price several times lower, and almost the same quality of shooting.

The camera is extremely easy to use. It does not have a display, and there are several buttons on the case (turning on, taking pictures, switching modes and Wi-Fi), so anyone can understand its work, even without instructions.

When turned on, a nice round blue indicator lights up on the front panel.

The image from the camera can be displayed on your smartphone or tablet via a wireless network, having previously downloaded the application available in the AppStore and Google Play.

Package contents - camera, manual, very short micro-USB cable.

• Very low price;
• Good quality of shooting;
• Allows you to take incredibly beautiful shots;
• Stylish and ergonomic;
• Lightweight and compact;
• Can be charged from power bank;
• Convenient application;
• Can be used as a video recorder;
• Using special scripts improves the quality of shooting;
• Excellent build quality.

• The display from the camera in the application on the smartphone slows down;
• When Wi-Fi is on, the battery runs out quickly;
• Sound quality not very good;
• Requires a fast memory card from 40 Mbit / s;
• Freezes when transferring data to a computer from the camera if an unsuitable USB cable is used;
• Weak battery.

YI 4K

The cost is from 10,900 rubles.

This is a small action camera that can be controlled remotely via Wi-Fi. The 4K function allows you to cover the maximum area and capture it in the frame. It is considered a strong competitor to the GoPro 5.

The special pride of the camera is that it is equipped with a large, bright and convenient LCD display with viewing angles like on a smartphone. On the sides there are a port for USB, a battery compartment, a slot for a memory card.

Xiaomi YI 4K has many shooting modes, allowing you to take photos and videos with interesting effects.

Package contents - camera, instruction in Chinese, micro-USB lanyard.

• Large capacity battery, provides up to 1.5 hours of operation;
• Takes great photos and videos;
• Very nice build, monolithic camera;
• There is a tripod mount;
• Does not turn off or hang;
• A variety of additional equipment is available on Aliexpress;
• Convenient screen and interface;
• Little noise even in low light
• Good sound quality;
• High-quality and fast connection between smartphone and camera via Wi-Fi.

• Demanding on the speed of memory cards;
• Cheap plastic;
• Difficulty removing a USB flash drive;
• No moisture protection function;
• There is no optical stabilization;
• The lens is quite bulky and bulging, easy to scratch;
• The lens cap is missing.

For convenience, in the table below in the text, we have given the main characteristics of the models considered in the review. Structured information will help you better understand which one to choose action camera Xiaomi.

MODEL	MAX. VIDEO RESOLUTION (PX)	ANGLE OF VIEWING (DEGREES)	DIMENSIONS (MM)	WEIGHT (G)
YI Action Camera + Waterproof Case	1920x1080	155	61x42x21	72
Mijia Seabird 4K motion Action Camera	3840x2160	145	61x42x30	60
YI Discovery Action Camera Kit	3840x2160	150	65x42x29	66
YI Lite Action Camera Waterproof Case Kit	3840x2160	150	65x42x30	72
YI 360 VR CAMERA	5760x2880	220	53x102x30	170
MiJia 4K	3840x2160	145	72x43x30	99
MiJia 360	3456x1728	190	78x67x24	109
YI Basic Edition	1920x1080	155	60x42x21	72
YI 4K	3840x2160	155	65x42x21	95

Let's summarize. As noted earlier, the popularity of the models of the Chinese brand arose for a reason. Cameras from Xiaomi are incredibly budgetary, while providing the best quality, the manufacturer manages to incorporate capabilities into their devices, for which competing companies are asking for significant sums.

In the lineup there are options for photos and videos, both for the amateur and the professional. With Xiaomi, you will have access to shooting underwater and mountains, it is suitable for a car as a recorder or for a quadcopter. The possibilities of action cameras are almost endless, and only after purchasing, you can understand why you need it.

We hope our review has helped you understand how to choose the model that suits all occasions.