• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax WG-3 advantages over YI M1

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

YI M1 advantages over Pentax WG-3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

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

  • 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 Pentax WG-3 GPS

Pentax WG-3
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $189
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
YI M1
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Pentax WG-3
Olympus E-PL6
  • $189
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Pentax WG-3
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $189
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
YI M1
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Pentax WG-3
Ricoh WG-4
  • $189
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Slow-motion videos
YI M1
Ricoh WG-4
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Pentax WG-3
Panasonic GX850
  • $189
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
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