Yi 4K+ review: A GoPro Hero6 action camera rival for a lot less

Yi 4K+ action camera review: Image and video quality

There are very few action cameras in the world that rival the image and video quality of a GoPro, but the Yi 4K+ achieves the feat effortlessly, even surpassing it.

The core of the camera’s imaging engine is its Sony IMX377 1/2.3” 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor with Exmor R and this is topped with an f/1.8, seven-element lens that provides up to a 155° field of view.

The combination of the image sensor and lens delivers stunning image quality. Pictures are rich in colour, with good contrast and oodles of detail. In comparison to the GoPro Hero5 Black, I found the Yi 4K+ produced slightly more colour-accurate images and videos. The same footage shot on the Hero5 Black looked slightly softer and warmer.

^ Yi 4K+ action camera (photograph, maximum resolutino)

^ GoPro Hero5 Black (photograph, maximum resolution)

The Yi 4K+’s still image quality is extremely impressive and low light performance isn’t bad either. Of course, there is image noise in the background, but that’s to be expected. Enabling ‘Auto Low Light’ mode reduces image noise a touch.

Video capture is what it’s all about with this camera, however, and that’s sensational. As with image quality, the Yi 4K+ records videos with superior colour accuracy and contrast to the GoPro Hero5 Black.

Wacth our video below to see the difference between the two cameras:

That’s not the only thing it does better, it records at a much higher bit rate, too, which results in crisper videos and better detail retention. I used the MediaInfo app to extract bit rate information for each of my test clips. At 4K/60fps, the Yi 4K+ reached a bit rate of 135Mbits/sec as detailed in the specifications. Dialed down to 4K/30fps it records at 105Mbits/sec, while the GoPro Hero5 Black is capped at 60Mbits/sec. The difference is noticeable between the two cameras:

^ Yi 4K+ action camera frame capture at 4K/60fps

^ GoPro Hero5 Black frame capture at 4K/30fps

In the above frame captures you’ll see more detail around the building, cleaner lines, less blurring around the traffic light to the right and the foliage on the left-hand side more crisply rendered on the Yi 4K+.

^ Yi 4K+ action camera frame capture at 4K/60fps

^ GoPro Hero5 Black frame capture at 4K/30fps

I also found the Yi 4K+ suffered considerably less from flare than the GoPro Hero5 Black, with shots captured into the sun packing much more punch than the flatter less contrasty GoPro footage. Again, in the above two images, there’s far greater detail, more accurate colour reproduction throughout the scene with the Yi 4K+.

Even if 4K isn’t your cup of tea, both cameras can be dialled down. I compared the two at a lower resolution and higher frame rate, too: 1080p at 120fps. Here, the GoPro stuck to its guns at 60Mbit/sec, while the Yi 4K+ outputs at 75Mbits/sec. Again, the video quality is better, more detail is shown and colours are better on the Yi 4K+.

The only downside of this superior quality is the sheer size of the resultant files. For a 56-second clip recorded at 4K/60fps on the Yi 4K+ you’re looking at 917MB, while a 49-second clip recorded on the GoPro at 4K/60fps is much smaller at 353MB. That’s a huge difference.

For movement, Yi Technology uses Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) to provide a more stable image. Alas, it doesn’t work at 4K/60fps, but will smooth out footage at lower resolutions and frame rates.

The EIS is pretty effective but if you’re looking for the ultimate in smooth, stable video output or you want smooth 60fps 4K video, you can get yourself a handheld gimbal and, handily, Yi Technology sells its own for around £170. This is a lot cheaper than the £290 GoPro Karma grip, but by comparison, the Yi gimbal is a heavier and. Still, if you’re looking for an excellent 3-axis gimbal for the car, or to attach to a selfie stick through its 1/4in thread, the Yi gimbal is an excellent accessory for the Yi 4K+ action camera.

READ NEXT: Sony FDR-X1000V review

Yi 4K+ action camera review: Audio quality

While image quality is great, however, audio quality isn’t so good. Despite both recording in 48kHz at 128kbits/sec the GoPro Hero5 Black simply sounds a lot better. It’s wider and deeper than that captured by the Yi 4K+.

On the plus side, with the bundled USB-C to female 3.5mm adapter, you can plug in an external microphone. This will then provide far superior audio quality over the GoPro, potentially something to invest in, given the Yi 4K+ is £80 cheaper. I’d suggest investing in the Sony ECM-CS3 for a cheap, small and yet drastically better microphone than the built-in ones on the camera.

Something else worth noting is that sound quality on the Yi 4K+ gets worse when it’s used with the waterproof case, with audio becoming tinny and claustrophobic. The same can be said with the GoPro’s waterproof casing, but remember you don’t need to buy the accessory unless you plan to go further than 10m underwater.

READ NEXT: Sony RX0 review: Hands-on with the tiny GoPro rival

Yi 4K+ action camera review: Yi 4K+ vs GoPro Hero5 Black

GoPro is king of the action camera market, particularly at the top end, but the Yi 4K+ proves that it is possible to get a camera that’s as good, if not better, for less. Not that £300 is cheap, but if you’re in the market for a high-quality action camera and only the best will do, then the Yi 4K+ is currently the best place to spend your money.

That’s even with the GoPro Hero6 Black having just been released because, even if the quality outstrips the Yi 4K+ by a mile, the GoPro’s ridiculous £500 price will put it out of reach for many enthusiasts. In short, if you want the best action camera at sensible money, buy the Yi 4K+. It’s a revelation.