• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Nikon AW1 advantages over YI M1

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Slower slow-motion
    1200 fps vs 240 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

YI M1 advantages over Nikon AW1

  • 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
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.34 vs 2.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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 380 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/125 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    8 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 14.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 30 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon AW1

Your purchases support this site

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

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon V2

Nikon AW1
Nikon V2
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life
YI M1
Nikon V2
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $900
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon AW1
Nikon J3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Wider angle kit lens
YI M1
Nikon J3
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Nikon AW1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
YI M1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon V3

Nikon AW1
Nikon V3
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
YI M1
Nikon V3
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Nikon AW1
Panasonic GX850
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
YI M1
Panasonic GX850
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
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