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Sony A500 vs YI M1

Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony A500 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Newer Model is Sony A560
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
  • Launched September 2016
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Sony A500 vs YI M1 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Sony A500 and YI M1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Sony and YI. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the A500 (12MP) and M1 (20MP) and the A500 (APS-C) and M1 (Four Thirds) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The A500 was brought out 8 years before the M1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the A500 grades versus the M1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the YI M1

 A500 M1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony A500

 M1 A500 
LaunchedSeptember 2016August 2009Newer by 86 months
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Sony A500 and YI M1

 A500 M1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Sony A500 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Sony A500 provides outside measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs) and the YI M1 has measurements of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).

Take a look at the Sony A500 and YI M1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the A500 and the M1.

Sony A500 vs YI M1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the A500 and M1 is 63 and 87 respectively.

Sony A500 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

Sony A500 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the A500 and M1.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The A500 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the YI M1 will provide greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged A500 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Sony A500 vs YI M1 sensor size comparison

Sony A500 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A500 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A500 Portrait photography factors
YI M1 Portrait photography factors
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
75
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A500 Street photography advice
YI M1 Street photography advice
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
73
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
great ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony A500 Sports photography details
YI M1 Sports photography details
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery (520 shots)
54
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good battery pack (450 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Sony A500 Travel photography details
YI M1 Travel photography details
43
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery (520 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
78
good battery pack (450 per charge)
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A500 Landscape photography details
YI M1 Landscape photography details
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (520 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (450 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A500 Vlogging information
YI M1 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
33
built-in touchscreen
features face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone support
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Sony A500 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A500 and YI M1
 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500YI M1
General Information
Company Sony YI
Model type Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 YI M1
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-08-27 2016-09-19
Physical type Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Bionz -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4272 x 2848 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 12800 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens mount type Sony/Minolta Alpha Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 143 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.53x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Red-Eye Slow
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 630 grams (1.39 lb) 350 grams (0.77 lb)
Dimensions 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 520 photographs 450 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FM500H -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $638 $320