Review of the best Xiaomi action cameras in 2022

Xiaomi has recently settled 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 a brand when buying a device, you will have to, by the way, our review of the best Xiaomi action cameras. We will look at the cheapest 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, which was 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 these cases, the action cameras were the result of Xiaomi's collaboration with the “YI” sub-brand. In 2019, two good models, created in collaboration with the “MiJia” division, went on sale - 4K with a shooting angle of 145 ° and its 360 ° panoramic version. Currently, ten modern cameras are on sale.

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

How to choose a camera

Obviously, if you are reading a review on Xiaomi, you have already decided for yourself which company is the best camera, and now you are trying to decide on a model.

When planning a purchase, think - what are your selection criteria? The functionality of Xiaomi action cameras 2022 is quite extensive, but how much will you use this or that function? Perhaps you should not overpay for “dopas” and stop at the most necessary.

Would you like:

• Moisture protection - it comes in different degrees. At the bare minimum, this feature will come in handy if you plan to shoot in rain or snow conditions, such as cycling, fishing, or riding a motorcycle with a helmet. A more serious degree is intended for underwater shooting and diving with a camera to various depths. Even if you refuse 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;
• Housing 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 body are the same;
• Do you need to shoot in 4K, or maybe a 360-degree panorama? Cameras without these features are significantly cheaper. Therefore, if you do not lay serious plans for the device, you can neglect this.

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

However, if you do not care how much the camera costs, and the budget is not limited by anything, you can also purchase the top model with maximum capabilities. Moreover, the principle of the company - to do it qualitatively and inexpensively, gives users such a chance.

How much is the camera from Xiaomi

In order to navigate the price, let's turn to the Yandex.Market service, which contains a lot of current 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 for a manufacturer, cheap does not mean bad.

7 out of 10 models 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.

Rating of quality Xiaomi cameras

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 tell about them now.

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 underwater 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 corresponds to the quality. When shaking, the device takes clear and stabilized photos. The dimensions of the gadget are 6x2x4 cm, and the weight is 72 g. This model is convenient to mount on diving equipment, and a protective case (aquabox) ensures 100% tightness when submerged under water. Double coating protects the lens of the device from fogging. There is shock protection.

• integrated Li-Po type battery, which is capable of shooting material for 1.5 hours;
• eleven options for video resolution, including recording in FHD format at 60 FPS;
• The 155-degree field of view allows you to capture beautiful 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 single detail. 7 lenses and a blue light filter do an excellent job of shooting in ambient light conditions.12-megapixel resolution produces a detailed picture. The camera's field of view is 145 degrees, aperture is 2.6f, which allows you to capture a lot of light.

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

The camera is energy efficient, equipped with MobileCamTM graphics accelerator and supports high-speed SDIO3.0 data transfer protocol. The model provides 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 the standard camera in the Yi Technology series. The gadget is made in the classic shape of a rectangle, 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 recording resolution is 4K at 20 FPS. In QHD format, videos are recorded at 30 frames per second, and in FHD - 60 FPS. The model is capable of continuous photography and recording material in time lapse mode.

The required operating mode of the gadget is selected by pressing the touch-screen display, the diagonal of which is 2 inches. The screen is on 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 image stabilization system.

YI Lite Action Camera Waterproof Case Kit

The cost is 10,500 rubles.

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

Due to the presence of an electronic type stabilization system, you can record videos without fear for smoothness and shaking. The gadget is equipped with a touch screen with a diagonal of 2 inches. It is protected by chemically toughened impact-resistant Gorilla Glass.

The model records videos in UHD format at a speed of 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 a phone to broadcast an image to a smartphone display.

• touch LCD screen;
• wide-angle lens;
• you can shoot videos in high resolution;
• comes with aquabox;
• 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 mode of 2560x1280px at 60 FPS.

Software "stitching" is possible only when recording video in 4096x2048px resolution at 30 frames per second. Frame stitching 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 of 6 to 13 Mb/s in a resolution of 2560x1280px at a speed of 30 frames per second. Streaming video processing and stitching of local material is carried out using a powerful Ambarella H2V95 chip. Autonomy when recording in 4K format 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, the viewing angle is 145 degrees. This is one of the few honest 4K for this price.

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

The battery provides about 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 case is made of dense rough plastic.The manufacturer obviously had to save on it in order to meet the budget, but at the same time, it looks pretty good.

Complete set - camera, documentation, USB cable and battery.

• Favorable cost;
• Pleasant appearance;
• There is a socket for a tripod;
• Sufficient bitrate;
• Video in UHD 4K resolution;
• Takes photos in RAW format;
• Automatically removes distortion;
• There was 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 accessories for the camera can be ordered for a penny on Aliexpress;
• Does not slip in the hands;
• There is an LCD display;
• The battery holds a charge well and allows you to shoot 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 and squeaks.

• The image stabilizer does not work perfectly;
• In the cold, it discharges faster;
• The Mi-Home app works better with Android smartphones than iPhones;
• The sound is not very good, like all budget cameras;
• Constantly updated;
• The firmware does not reveal all the capabilities of the hardware;
• No zoom;
• No lens protection
• Lacks manual settings for video recording;
• Requires a high-speed memory card for full-fledged 4K video shooting;
• Adequate lighting is necessary for good quality shooting;
• Without a cover from light touches, the screen is pressed, including the camera and discharging the battery.

MiJia 360

The cost is from 15,000 rubles.

This is Xiaomi's first panoramic camera capable of capturing 360-degree photos and videos of everything that happens around it. When viewing the received material, it can be rotated in different directions using 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 representatives of other Xiaomi series, due to the external frame made of anodized aluminum, the front back panel is made of plastic, reminiscent of a soft touch. Above are the power, power and Wi-Fi buttons for connecting to a smartphone.

On the side, under the cover, there is a USB charging socket, and a slot for a micro-SD memory card that supports up to 128 GB. It should be noted that the camera only works 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 is a thread for a tripod and contacts for the original monopod.

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

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

Package contents - typically modest - camera, soft case, tripod, USB-cable and documentation.

• Stylish sophisticated design;
• Quality materials used (from packaging to camera and accessories);
• The camera is compact and easily fits in your pocket.
• Affordable price;
• Rich equipment;
• Allows you to get 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 of high quality and clear;
• A worthy competitor to the GoPro Fusion 360, the cost of which is greatly inflated.

• Unfinished firmware;
• Gets very hot when shooting due to the built-in battery;
• It is impossible to mark the geoposition on the exposed photographs;
• 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 delivery set that can be ordered. The model was nicknamed the “GoPro Hero 3 killer”, for the cost several times lower, and almost the same shooting quality.

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

When turned on, a beautiful 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 by downloading the application available in the AppStore and Google Play.

The package includes a camera, instructions, a very short micro-USB cable.

• Very low price;
• Good shooting quality;
• 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;
• The use of special scripts improves the quality of shooting;
• Excellent build quality.

• Display from the camera in the application on the smartphone slows down;
• When Wi-Fi is running, the battery quickly sits down;
• Not very good sound quality
• Requires a fast memory card from 40 Mbps;
• Hangs when transferring data to a computer from the camera if the wrong 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.

A separate 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 are a USB port, a battery compartment, a slot for a memory card.

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

Complete set - camera, manual in Chinese, micro-USB cord.

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

• Demanding on the speed of memory cards;
• Cheap plastic;
• Difficulties with removing the flash drive;
• No moisture protection function;
• There is no optical stabilization;
• The lens is quite voluminous and protruding, it is 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 Xiaomi action camera.

MODEL	MAX. VIDEO RESOLUTION (PX)	VIEW ANGLE (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 Chinese brand models arose for a reason. Cameras from Xiaomi are incredibly budget, while providing the best quality, the manufacturer manages to put in their devices the features for which competing companies ask for significant amounts.

In the model range there are options for photos and videos, both for the amateur and for the professional. With Xiaomi, you will be able to shoot under water and mountains, it is suitable for a car as a registrar or for a quadcopter. The possibilities of action cameras are almost limitless, and only by purchasing it, you will be able to understand why you need it.

We hope our review helped you understand how to choose the model that is suitable for all occasions.