GoPro Hero 4 Vs Xiaomi Yi Camera: Which Makes The Better Choice For The Average Amateur User?

For the vast majority of amateur users out there, affordability along with image/video quality make the two primary criteria that collectively dictate their camera purchases.

Fancy features and accessories are usually deemed secondary.

With that into consideration, this GoPro Hero 4 vs Xiaomi Yi Camera comparison will be by and large based on what both these moderately popular cameras are capable of offering vis-à-vis image and video quality.

Let's begin with still images. Being action cameras by design, the question may arise as to why one should pick the GoPro Hero or the Xiaomi YiCamera for still photography when there are better alternatives out there in the form of HQ smartphone cameras and DSLRs.

The answer is simple - because there are many instances when using a DSLR camera or holding your awfully expensive (or battery consuming) smartphone to click images would not be considered as the smartest of decisions.

In terms of resolution, the Xiaomi Yi action camera has more to offer as compared to the GoPro Hero 4. The Yi is capable of capturing 16MP images with lens view of 155-degree, whereas the Hero 4 delivers 12MP clicks at the same 155-degree lens view.

In general, the higher the pixel count, the better the image quality. However, this is not the sole factor that determines the overall image quality.

For example, the larger aperture of the Hero 4 lens makes it more effective than the Yi lens in low-light conditions. In addition, the Hero 4's ProTuneT feature also allows users to control important aspects such as ISO limit, color, sharpness, white balance, shutter speed, exposure and more.

While the image quality delivered by the Xiaomi Yi is somewhat better than that of the Hero 4, the latter actually brings you more flexibility through ProtuneT. Therefore, to sum it up, this round in the GoPro Hero 4 vs Xiaomi Yi Camera standoff ends in a stalemate.

Coming to video quality, the GoPRo Hero 4 is a lot more expensive compared to the Xiaomi Yi. Hence, it makes sense that the former delivers a better video quality.

While the Hero 4 is capable of recording 4k video (3,840 x 2,160p), the Yi can shoot only 1080p videos at 60 frames-per-second (fps). Just to put this into perspective, the average home security camera shoots videos at 30 fps.

Worth noting, though, that the 4K videos shot with the Hero offer just 15 fps. Since the fps count plays a key role in determining the overall quality of a video, it is only logical to conclude that 1080p should suffice unless you are looking to shoot extremely high-resolution videos.

In low-light conditions, the Hero 4 fares much better than the Yi. So, overall, it seems as if the second round of the GoPro Hero 4 vs Xiaomi Yi Camera standoff goes in favor of the Hero 4.

But then, one can not discount the fact the Yi is an entry-level action camera and costs way less than the Hero 4. Moreover, the video quality offered by the Yi is better than most entry-level action cameras (including the GoPro Hero).