Hey I'm Ben from Authentech, and today we're running another fun and interesting side by
side camera test, between the newly released GoPro HERO 2018 model, versus the YI 4K+.
I already posted a few videos on this new GoPro, make sure you check those out after
this one, as always all the links will be down in the description.
Now before you go writing up a hate message, I am PURPOSEFULLY using the YI 4k PLUS for
3 main reasons, the original yi 4k that's currently priced at $169 on Amazon, yes its
more comparable in price to this gopro, but it was released in July 2016, that's almost
TWO years ago!
Yes, that camera was good, and yes, price is still very nice, BUT, its way OLD, and
brings me to reason #2, I SOLD mine forever ago!
Once I saw how much better the 4k Plus is, there's no reason to hold onto older models.
Lastly, lets compare pricing..., the new Gopro HERO, is targeted for budget friendly market,
at $199, not super affordable in my opinion.
The Yi 4K Plus, is currently $299 on Amazon, just 100 bucks more.
And if you think of it this way, the top of the line gopro 6 black is $399, so this YI
slides right in-between the two.
If you're ALREADY spending 200 dollars, is it maybe worth spending just another 100 bucks
for MORE features and BETTER specs??
Let's find out, and jump right into some side by sides, first up, Gopro is limited at 1440
or 1080, 60fps.
Kinda lame.
The YI can not only record 60 fps as well, but up to 4K resolution, very nice!
A few things I noticed in the footage…
-Both cameras have a nice color balance to them.
-The Yi seems to maintain a bit more details in the highlights and shadows, especially
in those high contrast scenes.
-Overall sharpness and clarity looks better on the YI, but I guess that should be expected,
its recording at higher resolution.
I do have to admit though, in a LOT of these shots, the Gopro holds on pretty well for
only 1080.
-Camera field of view looks a bit WIDER on the Yi when shooting 4k60, however we step
down to 4k30, with EIS turned ON, it crops in and then the Gopro holds a wider angle.
-Another thing to notice on the lens, the gopro has that fisheye-like-curve to the edges,
where the YI maintains straight verticals.
I PERSONALLY don't like the curved edges, and would rather take the YI on this one.
-A fisheye-curve always makes your shots look like it was shot on an action camera, which
okay, maybe Sometimes you want that, but for me personally, rectilinear makes it look more
cinematic and professional.
[annotate here]
When we compare some photos, really interesting results here.
The Gopro shoots 10 MP photos, the YI shoots 12 Megapixels.
-Colors, white balance, dynamic range.. they all look PRETTY similar and both are very
nice... even sharpness and clarity is pretty-close.
Overall, if I had to declare a winner here,
I think I'd give it to the YI, but man its a pretty close tie!
For the audio test, they BOTh actually sound
pretty good, I'd say the gopro sounds a BIT more clear with better lows, but Both are
nice and usable though.
As for stabilization, I'd say the YI looks
to be doing a better job at smoothing out the bumps and wobbles, producing a smoother
shot overall, HOWEVER in lower-light condition like seen here, you can notice a lot more
of the motion blur and EIS at work.. not necessarily a good thing.
Now either way, I'd definitely take the EIS on the YI over the Gopro's, but just keep
all this in mind, when shooting in low-light conditions.
And that brings us to our last test, some night-time shots.
Again, I left the EIS turned ON for both, but since the YI is only recording at 30fps,
there's still a good bit motion blur.
As for dynamic range and colors, both look pretty good and semi-comparable.
-The YI seems to have a bit higher exposure, with more details in the shadows, but with
higher noise and grain, versus the Gopro has those darker blacks, less details, but looks
a bit Smoother overall.
So my concluding thoughts, the Yi's overall image quality simply looks better, with LOTS
more shooting resolutions, customization, slow-motion, the list of Pro's just keeps
going, but yes, it's 100 dollars more.
I'd say the Gopro does a decent job at holding onto a close 2nd place in some of these tests,
and YES, I very much like it's built-in waterproof and durability, Yi really needs to add this
feature in their next future model.
If it were me personally, I would definitely recommend spending a bit more money on a nicer
action camera, like this yi 4k plus, or even the gopro 6 black, since you'd already be
spending 200 bucks!
IF however the 200 dollar price tag is already pushing your budget, then by all means, go
checkout WAY more affordable options, like the YI Discovery camera I previously compared
it to, which is ONLY 60 bucks by the way.
Check out all the links down below!
I'm always interested to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment right underneath that
THUMBS UP button.
No sponsorship of any kind in this video, I purchased BOTH cameras myself.
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Until next time, lets live authentech!