• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

YI M1 advantages over OM System OM-1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $2200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 72 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    280g vs 511g
    Lighter weight
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

OM System OM-1 advantages over YI M1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Newer
    2 years vs 7 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Higher-res screen
    540k vs 346k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    120.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

Buy From

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)

Your purchases support this site

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 Olympus E-PL6

YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
OM System OM-1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF7

YI M1
Panasonic GF7
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
OM System OM-1
Panasonic GF7
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic GX850

YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
OM System OM-1
Panasonic GX850
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Panasonic G95

YI M1
Panasonic G95
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
OM System OM-1
Panasonic G95
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $831
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compared to Olympus E-M1 Mark III

YI M1
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $1649
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
OM System OM-1
Olympus E-M1 Mark III
  • $2200
  • 4/3
  • Newer
  • Higher-res screen
  • $1649
  • 4/3
Compare Other Cameras?