Yi M1 v2.0 firmware released

[OkeZen]

I like that v3.0 feature list. This camera was on special at a couple of Chinese retailers until a few days ago and I almost pulled the trigger.

If you do get one, just watch out for the whole "Chinese" version versus "International" version thing. If you want the Chinese versus, that's fine, but most users will likely want the International version. Panasonic is the same way with baked in PAL vs. NTSC regional models too. Don't know why some makers do this.

In the US, Yi (via Amazon), Amazon, B&H, and Adorama all sell the International versions. With the Chinese sellers it might be rolling the dice. On the Chinese versions, not all the icons switch to English. On the International version you get full English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and two Asian languages (likely Chinese and Korean) as options.

Lens compatibility improvements look promising. One of my doubts about Yi's firmware is whether they have correction profiles for the lenses I have.

I don't believe they do for JPEG files (I could be wrong), however, when shooting RAW ACR and other lens aware programs can pick up and correct for optical distortions. I use ACR and DarkTable (when on Linux) to process RAWs. I wish DxO could read the DNG files of the YI, as DxO has profiles for just about all Oly and Pany lenses and makes quick work of correcting distortion and such on non-corrected bodies (Pany on Oly, Oly and Pany, etc). Yes, as it is workflow is leisurely with the YI. You do have to work for the best output off the sensor. If you are already Adobe proficient, it likely will not be an issue.

I'd love to try the 100-400mm with a 20MP sensor.

I'd love to try the 100-400mm, period Until the time comes when I can afford that lens, I'll just be happy when my travel zoom (Tamron 14-150mm) starts focusing better on this body.

 

[OkeZen]

One of my doubts about Yi's firmware is whether they have correction profiles for the lenses I have.

They don't have to. Distortion correction information is stored in the lens. So the question would be if the camera makes use of that information. Which I think it has to, since YI is a member of Micro 4/3 consortium and I assume they have to meet the system requrements to be allowed to market their cameras as Micro 4/3 (as opposed to "has an MFT mount").

Not sure about vignetting or CA.

Not this is interesting if true. I guess since I currently have bodies from 3 of the 4 mFT makers, I could do some experimenting to see if distortion is really noticeable and/or different via the various bodies. That said, I've never found the output from any or my lenses on any of my bodies to be distorted (as least not in a noticeable or ugly sort of way). Maybe if I get some free time, I'll throw together some more comparisons and see.

 

[Navegador]

They don't have to. Distortion correction information is stored in the lens. So the question would be if the camera makes use of that information. Which I think it has to, since YI is a member of Micro 4/3 consortium and I assume they have to meet the system requrements to be allowed to market their cameras as Micro 4/3 (as opposed to "has an MFT mount").

Not sure about vignetting or CA.

Good to know it's a lens thing. I stand corrected: does the Yi M1 use distortion correction info from natives m4/3 lenses?

They do use the m4/3 logo.

Edit: Just noticed ReCaptcha answered this before I clicked "Post".

 

[photonhero5]

I'm curious about how this camera performs with Olympus and Panasonic lenses, have you tried any? I might get one to try 20MP on the cheap with my lenses but most offers I see are for the Chinese version. :-(

I do not own any Olympus glass at the moment (other that the manual 9mm cap lens), but I have tried the Panasonic, and GM-centric, 12-32mm and 35-100mm. Which will focus and shoot OK in good light. You do have to toggle between single-point and multi-point focus depending on the scene. The Tamron 14-150mm exhibits the same focus behavior. Items you expect to focus on with single-point (single object, simple scene) focus fine with multi-point focus, and the opposite applies too. Sometimes complex scenes focus better with single-point. It's a one-button toggle (the "O" button) on the YI to shift from single to multi, so not a big deal... but still odd at times how the algorithms works. The two XIAOYI lenses focus the best. My Tamron is next, followed by the Panasonics. The most commonly used zoom by other YI users (based on Internet searching) appears to be budget Olympus 40-150mm, which is reported to focus relatively well. If I had more Oly glass with which to test I would happily do so.

Also, I worry about Panasonic's Power O.I.S. functioning properly with the Yi, especially on lenses that don't have an O.I.S. switch (12-60mm, 42.5mm). Any thoughts/experience?

Good thought, and I'll try to check on this soon. I know there is no way to adjust Panasonic-only features. For example, manual focus on the 12-32mm is not possible like is it with the little slider touchscreen scale on a GM-body (at least I don't believe it is. I have not attempted to manual focus the 12-32mm lens on the M1 since FW v2.0 was released). I am going to guess Mega O.I.S is either on by default or off by default with no way to toggle on the M1. I will have to see if there is a way to verify it is active.

Hello ReCaptcha, any update on whether optical stabilization from the Lumix OIS lenses work on stills on the YI M1 body? Also any insight on when FW 3.0 will be released (I understand it is soon...)

Thank you

 

[OkeZen]

Also, I worry about Panasonic's Power O.I.S. functioning properly with the Yi, especially on lenses that don't have an O.I.S. switch (12-60mm, 42.5mm). Any thoughts/experience?

Good thought, and I'll try to check on this soon. I know there is no way to adjust Panasonic-only features. For example, manual focus on the 12-32mm is not possible like is it with the little slider touchscreen scale on a GM-body (at least I don't believe it is. I have not attempted to manual focus the 12-32mm lens on the M1 since FW v2.0 was released). I am going to guess Mega O.I.S is either on by default or off by default with no way to toggle on the M1. I will have to see if there is a way to verify it is active.

Hello ReCaptcha, any update on whether optical stabilization from the Lumix OIS lenses work on stills on the YI M1 body? Also any insight on when FW 3.0 will be released (I understand it is soon...)

Thank you

On the OIS, I honestly cannot tell. There is still no setting to toggle OIS (similar to what Olympus did with recent mFT bodies) with YI FW 2.0. I cannot figure out an easy method to verify that it is active. My pictures seem plenty sharp when the 12-32 or 35-100 actually lock focus on the M1.

I have not heard anything yet on FW 3.0. I'm on the "beta testers list" according to YI, and their target was July, so I'm hopeful that I'll get an email soon.

 

[JuarezFR]

Firmware 3.0 announced :

YI Technology

Tyler (YI)
Jul 20, 12:42 PDT

Thank you for the feedback, I will pass this along to our design team. You can expect the 3.0 firmware to be released in a couple weeks with some improvements.

 

[eobet]

I still have my pearl white GF1 because i simply loathe the fake retro look of the latest MFT cameras.

YI M1 is the only modern looking camera (apart from Leica T which I cannot afford), but the poor autofocus scared me away from it.

Reading this thread, I'm now strongly considering a purchase.

Two questions though, if I may:

How is the dynamic range on this camera and ISO performance? Those are the weak spots of my GF1.

How will my favorite Panasonic 25mm 1.4 perform on this camera? Any issues? I hope it will be as super sharp as on my GF1 and that the colors will be as lovely (though that is down to the sensor, I know).

 

[OkeZen]

YI M1 is the only modern looking camera (apart from Leica T which I cannot afford), but the poor autofocus scared me away from it.

Looks are subjective, but the tiny GX850 (at least in all black) looks relatively modern for a mFT camera (especially since they straightened the top), but yes, the YI M1 definitely looks like a modern gadget versus most Panasonic and Olympus offerings (Oly seems to rock the retro styling a bit more then Pany in my opinion)

Reading this thread, I'm now strongly considering a purchase.

At $300 USD... it's a pretty good value, but autofocus is still hit and miss with non-YI lenses, as is electronic manual focus with non-Yi lenses.

Two questions though, if I may:

How is the dynamic range on this camera and ISO performance? Those are the weak spots of my GF1.

DR is good, especially when shooting RAW. I keep my YI M1 auto ISO capped at 1600 during the day and 3200 at night, and you push shadows and recover some highlights by 1 or 2 stops. The sensor is good, really good. The camera... quirky.

How will my favorite Panasonic 25mm 1.4 perform on this camera? Any issues? I hope it will be as super sharp as on my GF1 and that the colors will be as lovely (though that is down to the sensor, I know).

Based on how my Panasonic glass handles, I would guess the answer is "not well" or "hit and miss" (sometimes my Pany glass will focus, and sometimes not). I currently the following Panasonic glass:

• 12-32mm Pancake: will focus once our twice in good light, then does not like to refocus
• 35-100mm; compact version: same behavior as the 12-32mm.
• PL 15mm: seem best of bunch, but still not great. Hit and miss even in good light. Manual focus requires a multiple complete revolutions on the focus wheel. When it hits, it's pretty. I suspect the RAW output of the YI M1 + 15mm would be the same as the 20mp GX8 + 15mm. Would also suspect the GX8 focuses much, much better.
• 14-42 PZ: will not work properly at all.
• 45-175mm PZ: will not work properly at all (yes, avoid the Power Zooms on the YI)

OK-ish lenses:

• Tamron 14-150mm: in good light, this guy is fine. Sometimes I have to toggle spot versus all points focus to re-trigger focus, but in good light this lens does alright.
• Kodak PixPro 12-45mm: this might be the same lens as the XAIOYI 12-40mm, just rebranded. They look and behave pretty much the same.

Great lenses:

• Manual Focus (modern or adapted classes): Mechanical: Anything with a mechanical focus wheel (re: Voigtlander, Meike/Neewer, Samyang/Rokinon, etc.) works pretty good with the focus peaking and 2x/4x zoom.

Maybe someone else with the YI M1 and the Panasonic 25mm 1.4 can chime in here, but my guess would be that it will have quirks in the focus department. I would love to be wrong, and I'm still waiting for FW v3.0 to see if things continue to improve with non-YI glass. If you really want the 20mp sensor and the YI M1, be prepared to work for your shots with Panasonic glass. You do get what you pay for here as far as the YI M1 goes (it's all sensor). Are the quirks worth it for the output it can deliver? For me, yes. For others, no (some emphatically say "no"). The YI M1 is definitely a very polarizing camera as far as opinions go. I love mine, warts and all. It's a fun camera, especially with manual glass.

 

[eobet]

Thank you for the reply.

I will wait then until I see a software update where the manual focus ring behaves normally on Panasonic lenses (my second lens is the 14-42 you say won't work at all).

 

[mcydave]

Hi,

Any update on firmware 3.0? I contacted YI and was told the following:

"I don't have a update on the next firmware update at this time, I'm not sure it will be updated at this time."

Has anyone else heard different?

Many thanks,

David

 

[OkeZen]

Hi,

Any update on firmware 3.0? I contacted YI and was told the following:

"I don't have a update on the next firmware update at this time, I'm not sure it will be updated at this time."

Has anyone else heard different?

Still in beta, but the beta has leaked apparently:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59958647

I was never contacted to test the beta, but if the copy that leaked on August 8th is legitimate, it must be (or hopefully is) getting close to release. The change log for v3.0 does look encouraging.

 

[RickHip]

well... that's encouraging news & the 3.0 updates list addresses the 2 big needs, raw/JPEG and auto focus improvements. I'm hopeful the real release will come sooner rather than later as I'm not willing to brick my YI M1 with an unknown legitimate beta version. I'll certainly use it a lot more once the firmware update is released.

 

[addlightness]

Hi,

Any update on firmware 3.0? I contacted YI and was told the following:

"I don't have a update on the next firmware update at this time, I'm not sure it will be updated at this time."

Has anyone else heard different?

Still in beta, but the beta has leaked apparently:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59958647

I was never contacted to test the beta, but if the copy that leaked on August 8th is legitimate, it must be (or hopefully is) getting close to release. The change log for v3.0 does look encouraging.

I was hoping for better(or full) support for all m43 lenses. Thinking of getting one to complement my GM1 for hiking purposes.

 

[OkeZen]

Hi,

Any update on firmware 3.0? I contacted YI and was told the following:

"I don't have a update on the next firmware update at this time, I'm not sure it will be updated at this time."

Has anyone else heard different?

Still in beta, but the beta has leaked apparently:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59958647

I was never contacted to test the beta, but if the copy that leaked on August 8th is legitimate, it must be (or hopefully is) getting close to release. The change log for v3.0 does look encouraging.

I was hoping for better(or full) support for all m43 lenses. Thinking of getting one to complement my GM1 for hiking purposes.

Better support for newer Panasonic glass would definitely be appreciated. I hope v3.0 includes it. The Pany 12-32mm and 35-100mm are very hit and miss (even in good light). I've heard the hiking and pocket friendly 20mm v2.0 does not focus well either.

Strangely enough, my Kodak PixPro S-1 (which shares some features with the YI) has issues focusing all the same lenses as my YI M1. Kodak has a lens compatibility list here: https://kodakpixpro.com/Americas/cameras/compactsystem/s-1/ and it is missing all modern Pany glass (all mark II versions, the 12-32mm, the PanLeica's, etc.) and Tamron's excellent 14-150mm.

Since the YI M1 and Kodak S-1 share the same kit zoom*, I have a theory that they share the same compatibility table from several years ago. Olympus glass seems well represented on the list besides the 14-42mm pancake. The Oly 17mm f2.8 pancake and Pany 14mm pancake (v1) are on Kodak's list, as is v1 of the Pany 20mm. If the cameras share compatibility tables, then perhaps the older lenses from Oly/Pany might work OK with the YI. Again, it is only a theory. I do not have any of the pancakes other than the 12-32mm and the PL 15mm, which are not on the list and do not work well on the YI.

For hiking/pocketing, I use the Neewer/Meike 28mm pancake on the YI. No issues with compatibility with a manual lens ;-)

* note: it may be labeled 12-40mm on the YI and 12-45mm on the Kodak, but it is the same lens as far as I can tell. It has the exact same shape, size, zoom and focus wheels, zoom locks, and filter threads. They are the same lens. I wonder from whom JK and YI purchased it.

 

[addlightness]

Hi,

Any update on firmware 3.0? I contacted YI and was told the following:

"I don't have a update on the next firmware update at this time, I'm not sure it will be updated at this time."

Has anyone else heard different?

Still in beta, but the beta has leaked apparently:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59958647

I was never contacted to test the beta, but if the copy that leaked on August 8th is legitimate, it must be (or hopefully is) getting close to release. The change log for v3.0 does look encouraging.

I was hoping for better(or full) support for all m43 lenses. Thinking of getting one to complement my GM1 for hiking purposes.

Better support for newer Panasonic glass would definitely be appreciated. I hope v3.0 includes it. The Pany 12-32mm and 35-100mm are very hit and miss (even in good light). I've heard the hiking and pocket friendly 20mm v2.0 does not focus well either.

Strangely enough, my Kodak PixPro S-1 (which shares some features with the YI) has issues focusing all the same lenses as my YI M1. Kodak has a lens compatibility list here: https://kodakpixpro.com/Americas/cameras/compactsystem/s-1/ and it is missing all modern Pany glass (all mark II versions, the 12-32mm, the PanLeica's, etc.) and Tamron's excellent 14-150mm.

Thanks for the link. Interesting read - all my Oly lenses(except 25/1.8) are in there!

Since the YI M1 and Kodak S-1 share the same kit zoom*, I have a theory that they share the same compatibility table from several years ago. Olympus glass seems well represented on the list besides the 14-42mm pancake. The Oly 17mm f2.8 pancake and Pany 14mm pancake (v1) are on Kodak's list, as is v1 of the Pany 20mm. If the cameras share compatibility tables, then perhaps the older lenses from Oly/Pany might work OK with the YI. Again, it is only a theory. I do not have any of the pancakes other than the 12-32mm and the PL 15mm, which are not on the list and do not work well on the YI.

Yes, theoretically. That's a $299 risk I prefer not to take

For hiking/pocketing, I use the Neewer/Meike 28mm pancake on the YI. No issues with compatibility with a manual lens ;-)

That'd work but I was hoping to use my 25/1.8 instead. My plan was GM1 + YIM1 + 12-32 + 45-150 + 25/1.8 as hiking setup.

* note: it may be labeled 12-40mm on the YI and 12-45mm on the Kodak, but it is the same lens as far as I can tell. It has the exact same shape, size, zoom and focus wheels, zoom locks, and filter threads. They are the same lens. I wonder from whom JK and YI purchased it.