Xiaomi launches Yi Action Camera to compete with GoPro Hero, at just around Rs 4,000

Back in November last year, there were rumours floating around that Xiaomi had plans to release a GoPro style action camera. According to a blog entry on Xiaomi’s website, the Yi Action Camera has been announced in China for 399 Yuan ($64) which is approximately Rs 4,000. The only catch at the moment is that the Yi Action Camera will only be available for Chinese buyers who can buy the action camera from Mi.com using Xiaomi’s flash sale model. Although the Yi camera is being sold by Xiaomi, it has been made by its partner company Xiaoyi. The Yi Action Camera sports a 16MP Sony Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor. It is capable of shooting at 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, which is higher than the GoPro Hero which can shoot at 1080p30 and 720p60 and comes with a 5MP sensor. It weighs a mere 72 grams and comes with 64GB of on board storage space. Other features include a built-in Wi-fi remote smartphone triggering, 16MP still image capture, a 155-degree wide angle lens, 3D noise-reduction and digital image stabilisation. Since it is an action camera, the Yi is capable of shooting as deep as 40 meters under water. But you will have to buy a third-party water-proof casing since the Yi Action camera does not come bundled with one. For $80, you will get the ‘Travel Edition’ of the Yi Action Camera which comes with a selfie stick for selfie enthusiasts as well as for shooting from a unique perspective. It can also be strapped to things, the promotional image shows it  being strapped to a cat. There is no news about the India launch of the Yi Action Camera. But at Rs 4,000, the Yi Action Camera may find a lot of buyers as most action cameras cost upwards of Rs 10,000 here.