Xiaoyi (Xiaomi) 4K MFT sub-$500 (*) camera

i want one. It is cheaper than any other second hand option out there. might be good for 360* stuff.
 
Official English site: http://www.yitechnology.com/

It says it uses a Sony Exmor image sensor, the IMX269. I can't find much about it, except that at full resolution it tops out at 27 fps, not the 30 that this camera claims in 4K. So is it maybe a slight crop to achieve 30 fps? I wonder if the camera offers other frame rates, like 24.

Hey, if you're going to make a cheap camera with an off-the-shelf Sony sensor, can you make one with the IMX174? (global shutter, 16mm, 120 fps, 12 f-stops of range)

Thanks for sharing, DLD!
 
IMX269 was rumored to be inside GX8 (and probably DVX200). It's been around for a while. It shoots a center-crop 8.3 MPX UHD up to 30 FPS. 27 FPS is full sensor readout at 20 MPX. DVX 200 shoots an oversampled 13.2 MPX 4K, with the UHD at 60 FPS.

(some fairly reasonable speculation below ... as you saw from that Sony page, it seems to have one 16 MPX MFT sensor that's inside the older Olympus and Panasonic cameras and this one with 20 MPX ... and that's it for MFT)

http://thenewcamera.com/panasonic-gx8-uses-sony-20mp-imx269-sensor/

At around $330 for body only - if anyone is willing to sell it as body only in the US - it's 67% lower than GX8, which is currently retailing for about $1,000. As I've said before, if the Chinese want to get into the photo-video business, the Japanese cartel and its profit structure will be severely tested. Xiaomi probably buys their smartphone image sensors from Sony too, so it's not like this is the business that Sony can turn down ... they just negotiate that Xiaomi makes only MFT cameras since this doesn't threaten Sony's own camera lineup.

Of course, there's a lot of synergy between the smartphone and photo-video business and others can be tempted to jump in.

https://www.techinasia.com/new-asian-homegrown-smartphone-brands
 
If it does 27 fps full sensor 4:3, it can do 30 fps on a 16:9 crop that uses the full horizontal and doesn't read the top and bottom.

The problem with this is that it will probably use an off-the-shelf processor, from Ambarella or something like that. Those come with gamma curves already pre-programmed, so expect relatively low dynamic range. About the same you get on a modern phone (my LG nexus 5x already has two stops more DR shooting RAW stills than JPG stills, and the sensor is very nice but not this nice).
 
Samuel H said:
... About the same you get on a modern phone (my LG nexus 5x already has two stops more DR shooting RAW stills than JPG stills, and the sensor is very nice but not this nice).
Click to expand...

It looks like a camera made for those who only know how a smartphone operates. (click on CC)

 
Several tech oriented sites (Digital Trends and Tech Buffalo) now write that the price with be $330 with the 12-40 zoom but available through mail/internet ordering system only, skipping the traditional retail channels.
 
WOW, that is really cheap. It may be a strong option for "my sister wants to start photography" (which has already happened to me twice XD).
 
I read somewhere that this thing is based on Android, so it may bring some interesting innovation (and hacking?) yet.
 
I've been toying with various options to dip my toe in the 4K pool. Mostly actions cams with modded lenses, or 1 inch sensors, or fixed lens cameras (LX100)....this will likely get my money as long as it isn't totally ridiculous (as far as quality goes). that footy doesn't give much insight....but it doesn't look ridiculous. So....like I said, probably going to get my money. :)
 
FWIW, Amazon prices are as mentioned originally - (and directly from Yi) - $500 for the zoom kit, $600 with the 42.5 mm prime and $700 with both. I haven't sene it offered as a stand-alone cam for $330.

The Amazon link was off the manufacturer's own site (which presumably detected my ISP location and redirected me to Amazon US).

PS. Here you can also get their action cam for $99.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_ex_...4&sort=price-desc-rank&ie=UTF8&qid=1474581452
 
Latest official video. Includes sample video footage.


What I've learned from this video:

- YI stands for Young Innovator
- 4K 30 fps
- HD 60, 30, 24 fps
- 240 fps max (at 480p, I found out elsewhere)
 
Geeze..even the non-cartel Chinese have opted to exclude even a mic in? I see just a coupla salt shaker holes atop the cam.
 
Combat, I guess that's the price in China. The price on Amazon US is $499 for that combo.

Gweilo, I guess that's a universal rule of commerce (not just Japanese cartels): Never give the customer everything that they want on the cheapest model. Wait for them to release the Xiao Yi M5, for $1000, in a year or two. That may have mic and headphone jacks. :)
 
Indeed. Thank you. Sorry!

1. with 12-40 lens: $499
2. with 42.5mm prime: $599
3. with both lenses $699

(can't find it on Amazon without a lens)

To be released October 12, it says.

It also says it has an IMAX269 sensor, not an IMX269. Wow, not even Red can beat that! What a steal!
 
Currently $350 at B&H and direct from Xiaomi. Is it any good? And does the HDMI work in capture mode so you could pair it with an external recorder?

Just stumbled onto it and thought I would ask.
 
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