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Sony a1 vs YI M1

Portability
61
Imaging
80
Features
93
Overall
85
Sony Alpha a1 front
 
YI M1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
59
Features
66
Overall
61

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Key Specs

Sony a1
(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
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
  • Announced September 2016
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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.

Photography Glossary

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.

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Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the YI M1

 a1 M1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021September 2016Fresher by 53 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k1040kSharper 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 sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Sony a1 vs YI M1 size comparison

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

Sony a1 vs YI M1 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony a1 vs YI M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Sony a1
Portrait photography with YI M1
88
manual focus
above average flash sync (1/400s)
great MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
75
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony a1 Street photography details
YI M1 Street photography details
79
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
good ISO range (32,000)
73
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
great high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sony a1 Sports photography features
YI M1 Sports photography features
90
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (30.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (530 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
54
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great battery (450 per charge)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Sony a1
Travel photography with YI M1
73
better than average battery pack (530 shots)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
great MP (50MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
78
great battery (450 CIPA)
has bluetooth
has touch focus
good resolution (20 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
YI M1 Landscape photography advice
88
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (32,000)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (530 shots)
has dual storage slots
76
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (450 shots)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony a1 Vlogging info
YI M1 Vlogging info
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
includes mic jack
does not have selfie friendly display
33
touchscreen enabled
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
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Sony a1 vs YI M1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony a1 and YI M1
 Sony Alpha a1YI 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