Yi 4k Plus Review
The Yi 4K + is the first camera capable of recording video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second and is one of the few that in 4K to 25p mode allows using the integrated electronic stabilizer.
According to the official website of Yi Technology, the YI 4K + Action Camera will have some very powerful technical characteristics that will draw enough attention when comparing it, YI 4k+ vs GoPro Hero 7 Black or vs Yi 4K, its predecessor version.
In addition to this camera, Yi also made a new drone, Xiaomi Yi Erida, it is designed to be used with the Xiaomi Yi 4K + coupled to its gimbal and record perfectly stabilized videos at this fantastic 4K resolution at 60fps from the air.
This action camera is a high-end camera in today’s action cam market, it has definitely been a success; it can record in 4K quality at 60fps and then apply a slow-motion when being edited, getting very professional shots. The image and audio quality are very good, almost at the height of the GoPro Hero 6 with which we have been able to compare it. A downside to this camera that we have seen is that you have to incorporate the water casing (included in the package sometimes) to submerge it unlike GoPro’s new cameras which can be submerged directly, But this Yi is also cheaper than Hero 6 and the results are similar.
If you would like to check out our best 10 GoPro alternatives blog check here!
Specs
YI 4K+ uses the newest Ambarella H2 SOC, the first 14nm video processing/encoding SOC. It is a significant upgrade from the successful A9SE SOC featured in the YI 4K. It consumes extremely low power while still delivering 4K Ultra HD video and it also has an “electronic 3D image stabilization”, as well as a much lower consumption than the Yi 4K itself.
EIS up to 4K / 30fps, Industry-leading Electronic Image Stabilization offers 4K / 30 fps video without the need for high-end equipment. Now, you can concentrate on capturing the action and let the YI 4K + take care to stabilize it.
Voice command, The incredible voice command technology offers you the freedom to enjoy your adventures. Thanks to improved outdoor audio quality, you now have the hands-free control of your YI 4K +. Some voice commands include: “YI Action Camera Take Photo”, “YI Action Camera Start Recording” and “YI Action Camera Stop Recording”.
Waterproof Case, The waterproof YI housing is rated at depths of 132ft and at temperatures as low as -22 ° F. The ultra-white B270 glass provides 98.5% of light transmittance underwater. It is equipped with a 1/4 “-20 tripod connector, and compatible with the YI Selfie Stick, floating hand grip and head mount so you can be creative wherever you are.
The Yi 4K+ offers a powerful interface, the ultra-sensitive 4.2 “Gorillera touchscreen from YI 4K + offers you a quick and easy-to-use interface for accessing image settings. In fact, we would say that it is one the most intuitive user interface on an action camera.
Battery
The battery of the YI 4K Plus is supposed to be officially 1400mAh, but the latest units of Yi 4k + cameras, have a 1200mAh battery.
This new battery would come along with the new firmware that allows you to obtain better results of the battery, with up to 102-105 minutes in 1080p at 60fps.
The battery is situated at the bottom, where there is a cover that gives access to the battery. You can also always buy separate batteries for it and change them whenever the first one runs out.
Settings
| RESOLUTION | FRAME RATES | Field of View (FOV) |
|---|---|---|
| 4K | 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24 | Wide |
| 4K Ultra | 30, 25 | Ultra Wide |
| 4000×3000 | 30, 25 | Wide |
| 2.7K (16:9) | 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24 | Wide \Medium |
| 2.7K Ultra | 30, 25 | Ultra Wide |
| 2.7K (4:3) | 30, 25 | Wide \Medium |
| 1440P | 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24 | Wide |
| 1080P | 120, 100, 60, 50, 48, 30, 25, 24 | Wide \Medium \Narrow |
| 1080P Ultra | 90, 60, 50, 30, 25 | Ultra Wide |
| 960P | 120, 100, 60, 50 | Wide \Medium |
| 720P | 240, 200 | Wide |
| 720P Ultra | 120, 100, 60, 50 | Ultra Wide |
| 480P | 240, 200 | Wide |
One of the features we like the most from the GoPro HERO 6 and HERO 7, is the voice control. It seems like Yi has taken good note of it and has included voice control in the new version of the firmware of the YI 4K + with various commands.
In this new YI 4K Plus sports camera, the Chinese brand has chosen to mount the new USB Type-C port, just like the GoPro Hero 5 Black.
This port allows you, in addition to a data transmission twice as fast as USB 3.0, the connection of external microphones and the connectivity with computers and peripherals.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The first 4K / 60fps action camera | Does not include case |
| Voice control | Needs a case for underwater |
| Good stabilization up to 4K at 30fps | Mediocre audio quality |
| Uses USB Type-C | |
| Pretty good battery life | |
| WiFi and Live Streaming |
Photography
The photography quality of the Yi 4K+ seems very good. The flat profile is perhaps somewhat obscure and due to compression does not give much play in postproduction, but there are not many complaints of the lighting and the other settings are well configured.
It has 12 megapixels with great photos, sharp and colorful. It doesn’t deal in HDR, as the GoPro Hero7 Black does, but since it can shoot in RAW format that’s no big deal. However, shooting in raw will require some patience. Shooting in RAW requires a 10-seconds wait between each picture. It also doesn’t produce the cleanest RAW picture ever, but you can improve them and get better-looking results through Photoshop.
The YI 4K + can capture images in JPEG and through the RAW format
Video
This small camera is capable of capturing video up to 4K at 60fps. The video quality of this camera is really good with impressively sharp and contrasty video footage.
Unfortunately, you can’t apply electronic image stabilization at 4K 60fps, it only applies to 4K/30fps and below. It is not a perfect solution or something that can replace a gimbal but the results are pretty good. Allowing freehand recordings. Something that will be highly valued by those who use this type of camera for vlogs or simply improve their videos when doing sports activities.
The Yi 4K+ can also shoot up to 120fps in 1080p, which is good for slow-motion footage and to 240fps if you shoot in 720p.
Should you buy it?
The Yi 4K+ is an excellent action camera and one of the best in the market today. It was the first action camera to go up to 4K 60fps even before GoPro. This model has improved its predecessor in many aspects, although it isn’t better than the GoPro Hero 7, it’s still a spectacular model.
This high-end camera can record 4K 60fps, slow motion can go underwater with the housing, great image, and video quality and many more awesome features at a good price. The Yi 4K Plus having the same design as its predecessor the YI 4K means it can use the same accessories.
I definitely recommend this camera if you are looking for a high-end action camera and GoPro alternative, it’s cheaper and even though it’s not as good it has similar results and similar specifications.
If you can afford to spend a little more money and get an even better action camera check out the GoPro Hero 7, the best action camera so far. If you want to check out the cheaper GoPro alternatives blog click here!
Yi 4K Plus (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3i1PbuZ
