Canon EOS M vs YI M1

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Canon EOS M vs YI M1

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M.
Compare Canon EOS M image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full YI M1 Review.
How does it shoot? YI M1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the M1.
What’s the bottom line? Read our YI M1 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3
Compare Canon EOS M3 vs YI M1

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over YI M1

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/200 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots

YI M1 advantages over Canon EOS M

Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Less expensive
$350 vs $600 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

380 vs 230 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
8 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 29 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 fps vs 4.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Canon EOS M

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Buy the YI M1

Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-40mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-40mm & 42.5mm lenses (Silver)

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

Cheap as chips (and with a kit lens!); Quality Sony Exmor Four Thirds sensor; Widely-supported Micro Four Thirds lens mount; Good image quality from raw files; Reasonable burst performance for price; 4K video capture.
Poor ergonomics; Controls too easily bumped; Frustrating user interface; Mediocre JPEG image quality; Heavy-handed noise reduction; Unreliable white balance; No raw+JPEG; Buffer is almost nonexistent; Focus confirmation beep happens while still focusing; AF is poor in low light; Laggy user interface in playback; Extreme crop for 4K video; Kit lenses feel cheap; No bundled flash.
Read our YI M1 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-C3

$600
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-C3

YI M1

Sony NEX-C3

$199
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$559
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

YI M1

Sony NEX-5N

$199
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

YI M1

Sony NEX-5R

$199
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Canon EOS M

Olympus E-PL6

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
On-sensor phase detect

$299
4/3

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Canon EOS M vs Olympus E-PL6

YI M1

Olympus E-PL6

$199
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$299
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare YI M1 vs Olympus E-PL6

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Canon EOS M

Panasonic GX850

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$548
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Panasonic GX850

YI M1

Panasonic GX850

$199
4/3

Less expensive
Built-in Bluetooth

$548
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GX850

Compare Other Cameras?