Nikon V1 vs YI M1

Cameras
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Nikon V1 vs YI M1

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1 inch 116.2mm²
10.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Nikon V1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the V1.

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.

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Differences

Nikon V1 advantages over YI M1

Slower slow-motion
1200 fps vs 240 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/125 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.8 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

YI M1 advantages over Nikon V1

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.
Less expensive
$350 vs $900 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
Newer
8 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More pixels
20.2 vs 10.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 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

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
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
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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
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

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Buy the Nikon V1

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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

Good image quality; Good quality lens; Full HD videos; Lightning fast AF; Fun to use.
Mode dial turns easily; Missing "modern" features like panorama, HDR; Somewhat heavy; Sluggish shot-to-shot cycle times; Proprietary external flash.
Read our Nikon V1 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 Nikon J1

Nikon V1

Nikon J1

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Longer stills battery life

$500
1 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon J1

YI M1

Nikon J1

$199
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$500
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
On-sensor phase detect

Compare YI M1 vs Nikon J1

Compared to Nikon J2

Nikon V1

Nikon J2

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Higher max flash sync

$550
1 inch

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon J2

YI M1

Nikon J2

$199
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$550
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
On-sensor phase detect

Compare YI M1 vs Nikon J2

Compared to Nikon V2

Nikon V1

Nikon V2

$900
1 inch

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$900
1 inch

Higher effective ISO
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon V1 vs Nikon V2

YI M1

Nikon V2

$199
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$900
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare YI M1 vs Nikon V2

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Nikon V1

Olympus E-PL6

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Higher-res screen

$299
4/3

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon V1 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

Nikon V1

Panasonic GX850

$900
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

$548
4/3

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon V1 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

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