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Sony A9 vs YI M1

Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81
Sony Alpha A9 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony A9 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Successor is Sony A9 II
YI M1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 350g - 114 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched September 2016
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Sony A9 vs YI M1 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Sony A9 versus YI M1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Sony and YI. The image resolution of the A9 (24MP) and the M1 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the A9 (Full frame) and M1 (Four Thirds) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The A9 was announced 8 months after the M1 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the A9 scores against the M1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the YI M1

 A9 M1 
LaunchedApril 2017September 2016More modern by 8 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k1040kSharper screen (+400k dot)

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony A9

 M1 A9 

Common features in the Sony A9 and YI M1

 A9 M1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Sony A9 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Sony A9 comes with outer measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs) and the YI M1 has sizing of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Compare the Sony A9 versus YI M1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the A9 against the M1.

Sony A9 vs YI M1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A9 and M1 is 65 and 87 respectively.

Sony A9 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A9 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A9 and M1.

As you can see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The A9 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF simpler and the Sony A9 will give greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern A9 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Sony A9 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony A9 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Sony A9 Portrait photography advice
YI M1 Portrait photography advice
83
has manual focus
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
75
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A9 Street photography advice
YI M1 Street photography advice
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
73
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A9 Sports photography advice
YI M1 Sports photography advice
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery life (650 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
54
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good battery power (450 shots)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony A9
Travel photography with YI M1
73
better than average battery life (650 per charge)
weather proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch to focus
MP count decent (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
78
good battery power (450 shots)
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good MP (20 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sony A9
Landscape photography with YI M1
85
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery life (650 shots)
has dual storage slots
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (450 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A9 Vlogging highlights
YI M1 Vlogging highlights
36
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
33
built-in touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
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Sony A9 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A9 and YI M1
 Sony Alpha A9YI M1
General Information
Manufacturer Sony YI
Model type Sony Alpha A9 YI M1
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2017-04-19 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 dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 847.3mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 693 81
Lens
Lens mount type Sony E Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 121 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,440 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,686 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/32000s -
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 673g (1.48 pounds) 350g (0.77 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 92 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3517 not tested
Other
Battery life 650 photographs 450 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 -
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots Dual One
Retail price $4,498 $320