Sony a1 vs YI M1
61 Imaging
80 Features
93 Overall
85


87 Imaging
59 Features
66 Overall
61
Sony a1 vs YI M1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Revealed January 2021
(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
- Announced September 2016

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Overview
In this write-up, we will be matching up the Sony a1 versus YI M1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Sony and YI. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the a1 (50MP) and M1 (20MP) and the a1 (Full frame) and M1 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor sizes.

The a1 was launched 4 years later than the M1 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the YI M1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the a1 matches up against the M1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Sony Alpha a1 and YI M1. The complete galleries are viewable at Sony a1 Gallery and YI M1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the YI M1
a1 | M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2021 | ![]() | September 2016 | Fresher by 53 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 1440k | ![]() | 1040k | Sharper screen (+400k dot) |
Reasons to pick YI M1 over the Sony a1
M1 | a1 |
---|
Common features in the Sony a1 and YI M1
a1 | M1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Sony a1 vs YI M1 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Sony a1 comes with exterior dimensions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs) whilst the YI M1 has sizing of 114mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 350 grams (0.77 lbs).
Check the Sony a1 versus YI M1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the a1 and the M1.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the a1 and M1 is 61 and 87 respectively.

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the a1 and M1.
As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The a1 featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony a1 will offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent a1 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Specifications
Sony Alpha a1 | YI M1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Sony | YI |
Model type | Sony Alpha a1 | YI M1 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2021-01-26 | 2016-09-19 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 24mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 861.6mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 50 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 8640 x 5760 | 5184 x 3888 |
Maximum native ISO | 32000 | 25600 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 102400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 759 | 81 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 133 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 1,440 thousand dots | 1,040 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 9,437 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.9x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/32000 seconds | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 30.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in 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 | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/400 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) | 4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 75 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC |
Maximum video resolution | 7680x4320 | 4096x2160 |
Video format | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | Yes | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 737 gr (1.62 pounds) | 350 gr (0.77 pounds) |
Dimensions | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 114 x 64 x 34mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 530 photographs | 450 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NP-FZ100 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Card slots | Two | One |
Price at launch | $6,498 | $320 |