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Sony A9 II vs YI M1

Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
93
Overall
82
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Key Specs

Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Revealed October 2019
  • Superseded the Sony A9
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released September 2016
Photography Glossary

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Overview

Below is a extensive assessment of the Sony A9 II versus YI M1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Sony and YI. The sensor resolution of the A9 II (24MP) and the M1 (20MP) is very well matched but the A9 II (Full frame) and M1 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The A9 II was brought out 3 years later than the M1 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the A9 II matches up against the M1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the YI M1

 A9 II M1 
ReleasedOctober 2019September 2016More recent by 37 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1040kSharper display (+400k dot)

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony A9 II

 M1 A9 II 

Common features in the Sony A9 II and YI M1

 A9 II M1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Sony A9 II features outside dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) and the YI M1 has proportions of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Analyze the Sony A9 II versus YI M1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the A9 II vs the M1.

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the A9 II and M1 is 62 and 87 respectively.

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The graphic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A9 II and M1.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The A9 II featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony A9 II will resolve more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The younger A9 II should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 II Portrait photography info
YI M1 Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
75
focusing manually
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 II Street photography info
YI M1 Street photography info
78
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (51,200)
73
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Sony A9 II
Sports photography with YI M1
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery power (690 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
54
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good battery pack (450 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A9 II Travel photography details
YI M1 Travel photography details
73
good battery power (690 shots)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (24MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
78
good battery pack (450 shots)
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
MP count decent (20MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A9 II
Landscape photography with YI M1
86
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
good battery power (690 per charge)
has dual storage slots
76
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (450 shots)
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Sony A9 II
Vlogging with YI M1
36
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
33
has touchscreen
includes face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
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Sony A9 II vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 II and YI M1
 Sony Alpha A9 Mark IIYI M1
General Information
Brand Name Sony YI
Model type Sony Alpha A9 Mark II YI M1
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-10-03 2016-09-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip BIONZ X -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 51200 25600
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 693 81
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 121 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,440k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Max video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678 gr (1.49 lb) 350 gr (0.77 lb)
Physical dimensions 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 690 photographs 450 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch pricing $4,498 $320