• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon D800E advantages over YI M1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 20.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

YI M1 advantages over Nikon D800E

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $3300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    7 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    280g vs 1008g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

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Buy the YI M1
Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 12-40mm & 42.5mm lenses (Silver)

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution, even more than the D800; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Moire problem with certain subjects; Very large files; Slower frame rate; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Cheap as chips (and with a kit lens!); Quality Sony Exmor Four Thirds sensor; Widely-supported Micro Four Thirds lens mount; Good image quality from raw files; Reasonable burst performance for price; 4K video capture.

  • Poor ergonomics; Controls too easily bumped; Frustrating user interface; Mediocre JPEG image quality; Heavy-handed noise reduction; Unreliable white balance; No raw+JPEG; Buffer is almost nonexistent; Focus confirmation beep happens while still focusing; AF is poor in low light; Laggy user interface in playback; Extreme crop for 4K video; Kit lenses feel cheap; No bundled flash.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D800

Nikon D800E
Nikon D800
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
YI M1
Nikon D800
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800E
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points
YI M1
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Nikon D800E
Olympus E-PL6
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800E
Nikon D810
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • $2346
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting
YI M1
Nikon D810
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2346
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Nikon D800E
Panasonic GX850
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
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