Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

UPDATED with comments on firmware 3.0 worked in... With firmware version 3.0 releasing at of the end of October 2017, we will have had our YI M1 for roughly 11 months at this point, and it is (still) a tough camera to review. It's a bit of an enigma, but a fun puzzle to decode nonetheless. There are quite a few out-of-balance bits with this camera, as if Ying and Yang are in constant opposition but it somehow makes it all work. Examples of this balancing act: [#] It's a camera targeted a beginners, but requires skill to operate and get the best results. [#] It's currently starts at $300 US (as of November 2017), but packs a sensor similar to the one found in bodies starting at $1000 and up (GX8, PEN-F) and with the same resolution as the $1600-2000 pro bodies (E-M1 Mark II, GH5, G9) [#] Operational speed and controls layout are actually quite good (especially with firmware v2.0+ or higher), but the brakes are (still) put on by the auto focus system (which has been mentioned by many reviewers; it is a little better with v3.0, but still has room to improve) [#] Does one compare it unfairly to more expensive professional cameras containing same sensor? Or does one compare it to entry-level (and 16mp) micro four-thirds cameras (GX850, E-PL8)? I'd say more the latter, but man, its sensor really is as good as the ones found in the professional bodies. As I said, it's a hard camera to classify and fit clearly into any category, and with that in mind I won't do a full proper review here. DPR's review goes into more in-depth and covers a lot of the features (using the old v1.0.20-int firmware), so I'll cover [1] what I like (always subjective), [2] what I don't like (again, subjective), and [3] the oddities (in my opinion) First, some background... I almost always purchase cameras on an "internal metric" (which just means within my own deluded head) of "Price vs. Sensor Quality". I'm looking for the best sensor at the lowest price when I buy a camera. That requires patience in buying decisions, but pays off by leaving more funds for glass, additional bodies, and other toys and gear. It also means I might end up with a camera mocked in "Pro" reviews due to its "operational eccentricities", but overlooked for other factors (such as the fact that it takes great pictures). It is this Price vs. Sensor Quality metric which caused me to venture into the realm of the YI M1. [1] What I like about the YI M1: [#] RAW Output. The 20mp sensor (in RAW) is as good as any micro four-thirds camera at about ISO 3200 and below (user note: I keep my ISO capped at 1600 for even better results). My results have been very good, especially so as I develop RAW processing skills. (user note: On Windows or Mac any Adobe Camera RAW program -- ex. Elements, Photoshop, Lightroom -- will process the RAW files of the YI M1, which are DNG format. On Linux, Darktable and RawTherapee seem to play quite nicely with the files). [#] Regular Updates. The firmware updates from YI have been timely, useful, and very much appreciated (adding grid lines, remote control, a quick menu, speedier operation, RAW+JPG, live histrogram, etc). With firmware v3.0-int the camera has come a LONG way and is almost complete. This said, they still have room to improve a few areas (for example, focus and lens compatibility, in particular with Panasonic glass and the OIS function, could benefit from a software fix) [#] Body Size. It's compact. The YI M1 comes close in size to the GX850 and GF7. It is smaller than the GX85 and E-M10 series, and quite a bit lighter. Despite being mostly plastic, it actually feels very well built. It looks bigger online than it is in the hand. It is the smallest and lightest 20mp Micro Four Thirds body by a wide margin. If you want a small 20mp mFT, this currently the only option. (Yes, I realize the PEN-F is small-ish, but it is quite a bit heavier than the YI M1). [#] Standard charging via micro-USB. I really appreciate universal cables and in-camera charging. If you travel a lot, or a cable fails, a standard cable makes it trivial to replace (Panasonic has finally come around on this point too with the GX85 and GX850). Also the YI M1 can be used while plugged in and charging. A nice little bonus there. [#] Operational Responsiveness (of controls). Touchscreen, control wheel, and quick menu all work quickly, accurately, and without a lot of fuss. [#] Full featured Remote Control App. The new 2.0+ Yi Mirrorless applications allows just about everything to be selected remotely. It was worth the wait. With v3.0, you can even transfer RAW files over the app. That's pretty cool! [#] Use with Manual Lenses. MF+PK with peaking lines and 2x and 4x screen zoom steps (on now it appears 6x and 8x zoom steps as of firmware v3.0) makes this quite usable for legacy glass (although you only get one peak color: dark red). [#] Price. I got mine for 1/2 the current price... brand new... with the YI case. Remember my "price versus sensor quality" statement earlier, well there you go. At the price I paid, the YI was an impulse buy and no-brainer for me to add as a stable mate to my Panasonic GMs. And, after using the YI M1 a little while here, I would still be temped at the current retail of $300 (or $380 with the dual-lens kit; Either way, it's a pretty good value for the 20mp sensor). [1b] FIXED items (as of firmware v3.0): [#] Histogram added (very useful; Thank you, YI!) [#] RAW+JPEG (and in-camera RAW*) appear working on v3.0. The mobile app now works with RAW files in addition to JPEG files. In past versions, it was JPEG only. Scene settings still only work with JPEG files (as is expected, based my experience with other camera brands too). RAW+JPG was probably my most wanted feature (Thank you, again, YI!) [2] What I (still) don't like: [#] The JPEG engine* could be better. It looks OK on "Vivid" and if the ISO is kept low. There (still) appears to be heavy-handed noise reduction going on (as of v3.0), but no way (as of firmware 3.0) to control the noise reduction amount. To be fair, only "pixel peepers" will likely notice, and subjectively, it looks like JPEG quality has been adjusted with firmware 3.0 (for the better). Prints have looked fine and indistinguishable from my other micro 4/3 bodies. [#] Auto Focus*, while much improved with firmware v3.0-int focus still lags behind just about any other camera of the past 5-8 years. In good light it is OK. Some lenses seem to work better (YI's own, certain Olympus lenses) than others (Tamron, Panasonic are hit and miss, and OIS is still an unknown). Continued firmware updates should help with lens compatibility. [#] No in-depth manual explaining features... that said, it's been a blast uncovering this camera's secrets (zooming with the "O" button in MF+PK mode was a nice accidental find, for example). It's not a complex camera (and that's a good thing in this case) [#] Rather Large Kit Zoom Lens (relatively speaking). I believe the XIAOYI 12-40mm is the longest "standard" kit lens (or tallest depending on your viewpoint) in the mFT catalog, and this is despite being collapsible. I much prefer the Panasonic 12-32mm, Panasonic 14-42mm (version II), or the Olympus EZ pancake in terms of size. That said, the 12-40mm is a pretty good kit zoom, as is the funky portrait/macro lens (if you opt for the 2-lens kit) * I attached a note to certain issues, because there are some benefits here. Although they are weaknesses of the camera, not having a perfect JPEG engine or in-camera RAW (with firmware 2.0 or lower) had forced me to learn to RAW process. I've always wanted to learn RAW processing. The YI M1 had finally overcome my laziness in that regard. I've always been a JPEG shooter. A few years ago on some huge scenery trips (Upper Peninsula, waterfall and lighthouse treks, Hawaii, Black Hills, etc), I turned on RAW+JPG to make sure I'd have the best quality files available for processing or print. In all of those travels, I think I processed maybe 10 RAW files over 10 years as the JPEG files were easier and "good enough." I've well eclipsed that 10 number with the YI M1. Additionally, manual focusing has been a blast on this camera and my focusing skills are improving. So, perhaps I was meant to find this camera. It has forced me into actually learning photography again (and I'm loving the hobby again). [3] Y1 M1 Oddities: [#] No Flash included + non-standard Hotshoe. The YI M1 cannot use an Olympus or Panasonic flash. You can use generic, "modern" electronic single-post flashes only (legacy flashes are hit and miss). I found the tiny and inexpensive AAA-powered Neewer NW-610II universal bounce flash Neewer NW-610II Mini LCD Display On-camera Flash Speedlite for Canon Nikon Olympus Sony A7 A7S/A7SII A7R/A7RII A7II A6000 A6300 and Other DSLR Cameras does the trick. [#] No lens hood, despite having bayonet mounts for a hood. I found the Canon EW-53 snaps on OK to the kit zoom and works well in this regard. Bayonet Hoods from other lenses with 49mm filter threads might work. So far, the EW-53 is the best I have found. [#] 49mm filter threads. OK so, perhaps this stretching it, but 37mm and 46mm filter rims seem to be the mFT standards for smaller lenses and kit zooms. If you have filters (polarizer, ND, etc.) for your micro four-thirds glass, they will obviously not work on the YI lenses. That said, you can build a nice little "off-brand" lens collection with the YI Lenses, the Neewer/Meike prime trio (28mm, 35mm, and 50mm which all have 49mm threads), and perhaps an adapted Pentax-M 40-80 Macro for a small telephoto (also uses 49mm threads as do many old Pentax lenses). [#] No Dust Reduction System. Olympus, Panasonic, and even the other outlier, the Kodak PixPro S-1, all have a dust reduction option. It seems a strange omission. This has not been an issue for me yet, as I am extremely careful when swapping lenses. However, I do expect that as my time with the YI extends, a bulb blower and sensor swabs might be in my future (not a huge deal, just extra work). CONCLUSION: I like the YI M1. It's weird, fun, and usable. It is capable of great results. It has forced me to slow down and work for my shots. This is a good thing (for me). This is NOT a camera for everyone. I don't believe this should ever be an "only camera" either. I think the YI M1 is a camera for landscape, portrait, and other still life (action and moving subject shooters should look for something else). It is a camera for those that want to test the 20mp mFT sensor without shelling out over a grand to do so. It is a camera you can learn with and that you will likely outgrow, but the costs to do so are minimal. In its current state (as of firmware v3.0-int) it is usable under the right conditions, and by the right user (patient users). I also have appreciated YI's responsiveness in getting updates out to users as the camera has become better with each update (please keep them coming!) Finally, the YI M1 is priced VERY well. Based on all these factors -- price, sensor results, and current features -- I'm giving it a 4 out of 5. Price versus sensor quality. That's my metric, and I'm sticking to it. Postscript (Final Note): I am hopeful that YI sticks with their mFT experiment. The YI M1 is a good camera, but could be made better. Many things can be (and have been) fixed via firmware, but a few of the issues are hardware limitations. A M2 with the oddities listed above addressed would be a strong entry-level mFT camera (basically a M1 with standard hotshoe, a small flash or pop-up flash, dust reduction, and lens hood added to the package). YI can continue to have the compact 20mp mFT entry-level space to themselves if they want to continue in this segment (especially so, since Olympus and Panasonic seem to have no serious interest in the entry-level space at this point in time). I hope YI does continue down the mFT road, as the M1 is an impressive first effort.