How to shoot action camera Xiaomi Yi: a complete guide to modes, settings and secrets of high-quality shooting

Xiaomi Yi action cameras have long since ceased to be a budget alternative to GoPro, as they become a standalone tool for shooting dynamic scenes, extreme sports and even professional videos. But how to unleash the full potential of this camera? Why do some users get blurry video with artifacts, and others get cinematic footage with smooth stabilization?

In this article, we’ll break down all Xiaomi Yi shooting modes (from basic to hidden), explain how EIS electronic stabilization works and when to turn it off, and compare video quality to GoPro Hero and DJI Osmo Action flagships. You’ll learn which settings to choose for a bike, snowboard, underwater or conventional travel – and why standard settings often give worse results than manual tuning.

Spoiler: Xiaomi Yi 4K+ camera can deliver video that is indistinguishable from the GoPro Hero 8 in 90% of scenes, if you avoid three critical errors (read about them in the stabilization section).

1. Technical characteristics: what affects the quality of the shooting

Before you get into the settings, you need to understand what hardware you’re dealing with. All Xiaomi Yi models (from the first to the Yi 4K+) are built on a similar platform, but the key differences lie in the sensor, processor and supported resolutions.

The base Xiaomi Yi Action Camera (2015) shoots in 1080p@60fps with Sony IMX206 sensor, while the Yi 4K and Yi 4K+ are equipped with Sony IMX377 (the same as in GoPro Hero 5) and support 4K@30fps. This is not just marketing: the difference in detail when shooting fast movements (for example, alpine skiing) is huge.

Here’s what’s really important for video quality:

• 🔹 Bitrate: Yi has 4K+ It's 100 Mbps. 4K, whereas the base model - only 35 Mbit / s 1080p. The higher the bitrate, the fewer artifacts are processed.
• 🔹 Stabilization: new models use 6-axis gyroscope + software-processing (EIS), But it eats away at part of the visual field.
• 🔹 Codecs: Yi 4K+ supportive H.265 (HEVC), Save space on the memory card without loss of quality.
• 🔹 Lens: viewing angle 155° All models, but Yi Lite uses cheaper optics with noticeable distortions at the edges.

⚠️ Note: If you are filming in 4K yi 4K+, But the video is soapy, check the class of the memory card. UHS-I U3 (For example, SanDisk Extreme Pro, otherwise the bitrate automatically decreases to 40 Mbit / s and the quality drops by 2 times.

2. Shooting modes: which to choose for your task

It's easy to get lost in the camera menu: Video, Photo, Time-Lapse, Slow Motion... But not all modes are equally useful. For example, the Burst Mode in Xiaomi Yi is slower than the competition, but Time-Lapse can be set up at intervals of up to 60 seconds - ideal for shooting a sunset.

Let’s analyze the optimal modes for different scenarios:

💡 Useful tip: If you are shooting for YouTube or Instagram, choose 2.7K@60fps instead 4K@30fps. First of all, 60 frames per second will give smoothness during installation, and secondly, most social networks compress 4K before 1080p, loses detail.

3. Video stabilization: how to avoid the "jelly" effect

Electronic Stabilization (EIS) in Xiaomi Yi works on the principle of cutting edges of the frame and software compensation for tremors. This helps to smooth out small vibrations (for example, when running), but has three critical drawbacks:

1. Reduces the field of vision by 10-15%.
2. When sudden movements (for example, jumping on a snowboard) there is a “rolling shutter” effect.
3. In the dark, stabilization degrades quality by adding noise.

🔧 How to Set Up Stabilization Right:

• 🚴 Bicycle/motorcycle: turn on EIS, but install FOV: Wide (not Super Wide) to reduce distortion.
• 🏂 Snowboard/Alpine skiing: turn off EIS Use an external stabilizer (e.g. FeiyuTech) WG2).
• 🚶 Hiking: Turn on EIS, but lower the permit to 1080p@60fps smoothly.

⚠️ Note: If you are filming in 4K With the stabilization on, the camera will warm up a lot. 15-20 You can automatically overheat and shut down for minutes of continuous recording. 5-7 minute.

4 Exposure settings: how to avoid overlights and dark frames

The auto-exposure in Xiaomi Yi is often wrong: in the snow, the video turns grey, and in the woods it turns too dark. To fix this, you need to manually adjust three parameters:

1. ISO Limit is the maximum ISO (lower, less noise, darker frame) and optimal: 100-400 for daytime photography.
2. Exposure Value (EV) - Exposure compensation: +1.0 or +1.3 in snow; -0.3 in shade.
3. White Balance: White balance. In underwater, choose Custom at 5500K.

📊 Quick cheat sheet on settings:

Set ISO Limit: 100-400| Select EV: +1.0 for snow, -0.3 for shadow | Disable Auto WB in underwater photography | Use Flat profile for post-processing-->

⚠️ Note: If you shoot in Protune mode (available in Yi) 4K+), Don't forget the color profile. Flat profile gives you more color correction, but out of the box, the video looks faded. For fast, unprocessed shots, choose Standard.

5.Comparison with GoPro and DJI: where Xiaomi Yi wins and where it loses

Many people think that Xiaomi Yi is a “cheap GoPro” and actually has advantages that flagships don’t have.

• 💰 Price: Yi 4K+ into 2-3 Cheaper than the GoPro Hero 11 at comparable quality in daytime conditions.
• 🔋 Operating time: removable battery (as opposed to built-in) DJI Osmo Action allows you to carry spare batteries.
• 📱 Manageability: Yi Action is simpler and more stable than GoPro Quik.

But there are weaknesses:

• 🌊 Underwater photography: without an additional red filter, the colors “go” into blue already at a depth of 3 meters (GoPro – from 10 meters).
• 🎤 Sound: Built-in microphone is worse than wind suppression DJI Action 4.
• 🔄 Stabilization: GoPro Hero 11 uses HyperSmooth 5.0, which works better than the GoPro Hero EIS yi.

📌 Key conclusion:

💡

Xiaomi Yi 4K+ is the best choice for those who want to save money without losing quality in daytime conditions. For professional shooting in extreme conditions (underwater, in low light), it is better to consider GoPro or DJI.

6. Hidden functions and life hacks for advanced users

Xiaomi Yi camera is more than the instructions say. Here are some non-obvious features:

• 🔌 Power from powerbank: if you connect the camera to an external battery via USB-C, It can shoot continuously. 5-6 hours (useful for timelapses).
• 📡 Wi-Fi control: Yi Action can configure auto-save video to your phone when you lose communication (useful for drones).
• 🎬 Shooting in RAW: in Photo mode, hold the down button clamped - the camera will take a picture in DNG (available only in Yi 4K+).
• 🔄 Cyclical Recording: In settings, enable Loop Recording at intervals 5/10/15 minutes - convenient for the video recorder.

🛠️ For the technically savvy: if you can work with ADB, You can unlock hidden permissions (for example, 2.7K@120fps) team:

adb shell setprop persist.sys.yicam.resolution 2704x1520_120

⚠️ Attention: Not all firmware supports this trick. 4K (not 4K+) This command can lead to "beaten" video files.

7. Frequent Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the video. TOP-5 Failures and How to Correct Them:

1. Shooting in 4K without a good memory card → video is “break” or recorded at a low bitrate. Solution: use SanDisk Extreme Pro or Samsung Pro Endurance cards labeled V30.
2. Ignoring white balance → color "leaves" in blue or yellow. Solution: manually expose WB under a light source (for example, Daylight for a sunny day).
3. Low-light Auto mode → loud noise and soapiness Solution: Limit ISO to 800 and use external light.
4. Wrong attachment → vibrations are transmitted to the camera. Solution: use mounts with shock absorbing pads (for example, Yi Handlebar Mount).
5. Forgetting to format the map → Recording errors and loss of frames. Solution: format the map directly in the camera (not on a PC) before every important shot.

💡 Useful tip: If the camera suddenly turns off during shooting, check the firmware version. In older versions (below 1.8.6) there was a bug with overheating.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions