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

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Differences

Panasonic GF1 advantages over YI M1

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

YI M1 advantages over Panasonic GF1

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $900 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    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 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 3200 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

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 Panasonic GF1

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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

  • 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 Olympus E-P1

Panasonic GF1
Olympus E-P1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Olympus E-P1

YI M1
Olympus E-P1
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compare YI M1 vs Olympus E-P1

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GF2
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bulb shutter
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic GF2

YI M1
Panasonic GF2
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GF3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic GF3

YI M1
Panasonic GF3
  • $199
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare YI M1 vs Panasonic GF3

Compared to Olympus E-PL6

Panasonic GF1
Olympus E-PL6
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF1 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

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GX850
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GF1 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?