Xiaomi Redmi 5 camera setup: the full guide

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in late 2017, was a hit for the budget segment with its 18:9 screen and metal body. However, the camera application’s customization often fails to unlock the full potential of the 12-megapixel matrix installed by the manufacturer. Many users complain of blurred low-light images or unnatural oversaturation of colors, unaware that the situation can be corrected by software methods.

A well-configured set of shooting parameters can dramatically change the outcome, turning mediocre shots into quality photos worthy of social networks. In this article, we will examine in detail all the hidden features of the MIUI interface that are available to owners of this model, you will learn how to correctly use manual settings, white balance and exposure to get the perfect image in any environment.

Basic configuration of the Camera application

Before you start to do complex manipulations, you need to check the basic parameters that affect the quality of each shot. Go to the Camera app and click on the three horizontal bars in the upper right corner of the screen to open the settings menu, which are fundamental options that you ignore, negates all further efforts to improve the photo.

First of all, pay attention to the resolution of the images. For the Redmi 5 model, the default may not be set to the maximum value for saving space, but for the best photos, you should choose 12 MP or an aspect ratio of 4:3 without framing. You can also activate the grid display, which helps to build the frame composition according to the rule of thirds, aligning the horizon and placing objects at the intersections of the lines.

Remember to save geodata if you like to keep a photo archive with a location. GPS-The module can use up battery power faster during shooting, which is not very large in this model. Turn off the shutter sound in the settings if you plan to take pictures in quiet places where noise may not be appropriate.

Using Pro Mode for Manual Control

One of the most underrated features in the MIUI shell is Pro mode or Professional. Unlike automatic mode, where the smartphone algorithms try to guess your wishes, here you get full control of the exposure. For Redmi 5, this is especially important, since the automation of budget sensors often fails in difficult light conditions.

Switching to this mode, you'll see a few sliders at the bottom of the screen. The first and most important is the ISO, which is responsible for the sensitivity of the matrix. The lower the ISO, the less digital noise will be in the photo, but the more light is required. For daytime shooting, keep the ISO at a minimum (50 or 100), and at night increase it only as a last resort, knowing that the image quality will fall.

The second critical parameter is shutter speed, designated S (seconds), which allows you to take lighter pictures in the dark or create spectacular "light traces" from car headlights. However, when you shutter longer than 1/30 of a second, hand photography is no longer possible without lubrication, so using a tripod or stop becomes a prerequisite for obtaining a clear frame.

Settings for low light shooting

Night shooting on budget devices has always been a weak spot, and Redmi 5 is no exception.The standard HDR algorithm often fails to cope with the contrast between bright lights and dark shadows. To improve the result, try using the built-in Night mode or manually adjust the exposure in Pro mode, making the frame darker to keep the details in the lights.

The important thing is stabilization. Because there's no optical stabilization (OIS) in this model, any hand tremors are marriageable. Try to press your elbows against the body or to pin your phone against a stationary object. Also, in the camera settings, you should turn off any "improvers" and beauty filters that add artifacts and "soap" the picture in bad light.

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For night shooting without a tripod, use a 3 or 5-second delay timer, which will allow the phone to calm down completely after you touch the screen, which will reduce the risk of lubricating the frame at the time of pressing.

Another secret is focusing. In the dark, autofocus can walk without finding contrasting boundaries. Switch focus to manual mode (a slider with a picture of a mountain and a flower) and set it to infinity or bring it to an object until it becomes clear. Lock the focus so that the camera does not try to refocus at the most inopportune moment.

Working with white balance and flowers

Color rendering is something that Xiaomi users often complain about: The camera can go into cold blue tones or, conversely, make the skin unnaturally yellow. In standard mode, this can only be fixed after the fact in the editor, but in Pro mode you can adjust white balance (WB) immediately before shooting.

The white balance scale is measured in Kelvins. For a sunny day, the optimal value will be about 5500K, for cloudy weather, 6500K and above, and for incandescent lamps, 2800-3200K. Experimenting with a slider will achieve neutral gray where it should be, which automatically aligns all other colors in the frame.

⚠️ Attention: When taking portraits under artificial light, the automatic white balance is often mistaken, making the face greenish. WB, to restore the skin to its natural shade.

Also worth mentioning are shooting styles. Some versions of Redmi 5's MIUI firmware have filters or styles that are applied when you shoot, and be careful about using them because they can reduce dynamic range. It's better to take a photo in neutral mode and process it later, saving as much information as possible in the file.

Video capture and image stabilization

Although Redmi 5 doesn't support 4K video, 30 frames per second Full HD is quite suitable for home video, but video quality is heavily dependent on lighting. In good light, the picture looks detailed, but once you put the phone indoors, there's digital noise and sharpness drops.

In the video settings, be sure to check the resolution. Sometimes after updating the system, the settings can be reset to HD (720p). Make sure you choose 1920×1080. Also note the presence of image stabilization in the software. On Redmi 5, it works mediocrely and can create a “jelly” effect, so for static scenes, it is better to keep the phone still rather than relying on software.

The sound in the video is recorded through the bottom microphone, which is easy to close with your finger when shooting horizontally. Watch the grip of the device. If you are shooting an important event, you better use an external microphone or voice recorder, since the built-in module strengthens the audio stream and collects a lot of ambient noise.

Table of recommended settings for different scenes

For the convenience of users, we have compiled the basic shooting scenarios and the optimal parameters for them into a single table, and these values are the starting point from which you can start by changing the lighting conditions.

Using these parameters as a basis, you can dramatically improve the technical characteristics of your images. Remember, practice is the best teacher. Try to shoot the same object with different ISO settings and shutter speeds to see the difference with your own eyes.

Solutions and optimization of work

Sometimes users experience problems when the camera is slow, focus is not oriented or the application crashes. Often this is not due to a module breakdown, but rather to a crowded cache or a lack of RAM. First of all, clear the Camera app cache through the system settings: Settings → Apps → Camera → Memory → Clear the cache.

If the problem is that photos are cloudy even in good light, check the lens. Fat spots from your fingers are the most common cause of marriage. Rub the camera with a soft cloth before each use. Also make sure that the phone does not have third-party camera apps that can conflict with system software.

⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the camera settings and cleaning the cache, the problem with the black screen or departures persists, the camera module plume may be damaged.

To improve performance, close the background apps before you start the camera. Redmi 5 has 2 or 3 GB of RAM, and heavy apps can slow down the image processing process. Regularly reboot your smartphone to free up system resources.

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Regularly cleaning the camera cache and checking the lens cleanliness solve 90% of the image quality issues on Redmi 5 without the need for flashing.

Additional features and hidden functions

There are a few features in the MIUI shell that not everyone knows about, like shooting on a schedule or creating short video timelapses. Timelapse mode allows you to compress time, turning an hour-long observation of clouds or traffic into a few seconds of a dynamic video.

And you also have to experiment with panorama mode. Redmi 5 is pretty stable, allowing you to take large-format landscapes, move your phone slowly and evenly, with a squeamish arrow on the screen, and sharp jerks will cause you to tear the image.

And don't forget to use voice commands, you can set the camera to take a picture of the word "cheese" or "take it off." This is convenient for group photos when you want a photographer in the frame, and you can find this option in the settings by turning on "Voice Shutter."