Action Cameras: GoPro Hero5 black vs. YI 4K+ vs. YI 4K
Jan 6, 2017
Udi Tirosh
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
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YI camera (which we love) just rocked the boat, shifting from a GoPro wanna be to a technology leader. Yesterday the company showed off their new YI 4K+ which is capable not only of shooting 4K (everyone does that now), but shooting 4K at 60 frames per second. Now this is a first. And it’s not just a first in the race vs. GoPro, it’s a first in the industry.
Not only that, the camera boasts a max. 120 Mbps and electronic image stabilization at 4K (both the YI 4K and GoPro Hero5 black can only stabilize at 2.5K).
Here is a side by side comparisson in case you were wondering which camera you want to get. (I know, price is missing from that chart, but rumor has it that the YI 4K+ will cost $350, this is still $50 than the GoPro Hero5 black)
| Name | YI 4K+ | YI 4K | GoPro Hero5 black |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo |  |  |  |
| Stills | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Sensor | IMX377 | IMX377 Sensor | IMX377 (unconfirmed) |
| chipset | Ambarella H2 | Ambarella A9SE | Ambarella A9SE |
| waterproof | with case | with case | up to 10m |
| 4K max FPS | 60fps | 30fps | 30fps |
| 2.7K max FPS | 60fps | 60fps | 60fps |
| 1080 max FPS | 120fps | 120fps | 120fps |
| 720 max FPS | 240fps | 240fps | 240fps |
| Bitrate | max. 120 Mbps | 60 Mbps | 60 Mbps |
| stills format | RAW | RAW | RAW |
| Display | 2,19″ | 2.19″ | 2″ |
| Battery | 1400 mAh | 1400 mAh | 1220 mAh |
| Image Stabilization: | up to 4K 30fps | up to 2.7K 30fps | up to 2.7K 30fps |
| Wifi | yes | yes | yes |
| Bluetooth | yes | yes | yes |
| Remote | yes | yes | yes |
| capacity | microSD: 128GB | microSD: 128GB | microSD: 128GB |
| connectivity | USB-C port | micro USB port | USB-C port |
| HDMI | none | none | micro HDMI port |
| mic in | via USB-C | no | 3.5mm w/adapter |
| Voice Control | yes | in the works | yes |
| Price | $350 ?? | $199 | $399$399 |
So will you wait or get one of the older GoPro hero5 Or YI 4K?
Udi Tirosh
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
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19 responses to “Action Cameras: GoPro Hero5 black vs. YI 4K+ vs. YI 4K”
I’m still waiting for someone to offer an actioncam without ridiculous distortion.
The fisheye style distortion works fine for some, but I would prefer a slightly narrower fov that is rectilinear. I know you can use software to remove distortion but it affects sharpness.
Exacly! An actioncam that I want to use for size/weight/whatever, where a normal cam can’t be used. It can’t be that hard to not use a stupid wide angle; of course you have to work with focus then at some degree, but man, I’d really buy something like that right away. I have no use for super wides all the time
You can remove the lens on the GoPro and replace it with a longer focal length. For sure you’d void your warranty, but it could be worth it.
Yeah I remember those kits. However, voiding the warranty of such an expensive cam only to maybe even break it is a bit off putting.
What I also don’t get is why GoPro buys one of the fanciest Codec-suppliers and uses it in none of their cams. You know, a GoPro Pro with 10bit Cineform recording could be interesting for a professional market, one could assume.
Will, you can check out review here, the in-camera distortion correction on the YI4K is not too shabby: https://www.diyphotography.net/diyp-reviews-yi-4k-action-camera-yi-4k-vs-gopro-hero4-black-edition/
I would assume that the 4K+ is similar, but have not tested yet.
Thanks Udi.
I will have to see what the new one is like compared to the old one, but it looks promising.
This year is gonna get expensive for me now :)
GoPro Hero 4 and 5 cameras now offer a linear mode, to provide a non fisheye option.
Digitally manipulated to achieve this, but then that’s what’s happening during the electronic stabilisation also. Only Sony offers real physical sensor stabilisation in an action cam, and not sure if they offer a linear mode?
I guess I will have to put up with digital manipulation or perhaps use a different type of camera? Perhaps a compact camera in a waterproof case?
Thanks for the input!
Yeah, was surprised to see the Hero4 Black and Silver get the linear mode via free update, so soon after the 5 was released, but very pleased about it. Stretches the sides a big, but on the whole I really like it. I’d suggest it would be very useful for the drone crowd for example.
Check out the git2p 90° lens version. Does support 4K though, but does do 1080p 60fps.
see pixelaero
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/HD-16Megapixel-3-8mm-Action-Camera-Lens-4K-1-2-3-F2-8-M12-Mount-Low/725056_32708893463.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.5dacdf44aJPe8C
Can the Yi 4K+ shoot at 24fps, in any resolution?
And does it have a linear mode?
I thought there was an HDMI connector coming for the plus.
YI 4K+ release date?
Just ordered directly here: https://store.yitechnology.com Im certain it’s a better action cam than gopro.
its not released yet. what have you ordered?
4k
YI 4K can shoot 4K with 100 Mbps (latest firmware update)
Here’s the video comparison of those 3:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1qfbfTM9dg