YI M1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Cameras
Compare Cameras
YI M1 vs Pentax K-1 II

4/3 224.9mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full YI M1 Review.
How does it shoot? YI M1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the M1.
What’s the bottom line? Read our YI M1 conclusion.

35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 II Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1 II.
Compare Pentax K-1 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 II conclusion.

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Differences

YI M1 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

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 Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
33 mm vs 85 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
280g vs 1010g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-1 II 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
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

670 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 80 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
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
1/200 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More pixels
36.4 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
Higher extended ISO
819200 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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read M1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 II 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)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1 II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 28-105mm Lens

All K-1 II Deals

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.
Read our YI M1 Express Review

Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.
Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.
Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

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

Compare YI M1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Pentax K-1 II

Olympus E-PL6

$1747
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$299
4/3

Touchscreen
Thinner

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GF7

YI M1

Panasonic GF7

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$590
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GF7

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic GF7

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$590
4/3

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic GF7

Compared to Pentax K-1

YI M1

Pentax K-1

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare YI M1 vs Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

$1800
35mm

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Panasonic GX850

YI M1

Panasonic GX850

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$548
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GX850

Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic GX850

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic GX850

Compared to Nikon D850

YI M1

Nikon D850

$199
4/3

Slower slow-motion
In-camera panoramas

$2464
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare YI M1 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

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