Xiaomi’s Four Cameras: Why They Are Used and How to Use Them

Modern Xiaomi smartphones often have four rear cameras, and many users have a reasonable question: why so many modules, when you used to have one? In fact, each of the four cameras performs a unique function — from shooting landscapes with a wide viewing angle to macro shooting the smallest details. In this article, we will understand how each camera works using popular Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro +, Poco X4 Pro or Xiaomi 12T), which scenarios they cover and how to use them correctly to get the perfect shots.

Many people mistakenly think that multiple cameras are a marketing ploy. But in practice, a multi-module system can expand the photographer's creativity, improve the quality of shots in different environments, and compensate for the limitations of individual lenses. For example, a telephoto camera gives an optical approximation without losing detail, and a macro lens allows you to shoot objects from a distance of only a few centimeters. But how do you know when to use a camera? Let's go in order.

Primary camera: heart of the photomodule

The main (or wide-angle) camera is the one that the smartphone uses by default when launching the Camera app. It has the highest resolution (most often 48 MP, 64 MP or 108 MP in flagships) and the optimal viewing angle (~78-80 °), close to human vision, and it is this camera that is responsible for most everyday shots: portraits, street scenes, documents.

Features of the main camera:

• 🔹 High light sensitivity: thanks to a large sensor (e.g., high light sensitivity, 1/1.33" Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and pixel binning technology (pixels combined) it does a good job of night shooting.
• 🔹 Optical stabilization (OIS): compensates for hand tremors when shooting videos or in low light conditions.
• 🔹 Phase autofocus (PDAF): Focuses quickly and accurately on moving objects (such as children or pets).

When to use the main camera? Almost always, except in specific scenarios. It's versatile and gives you the best balance of detail and naturalness of colors. However, in some situations, it's better to switch to other modules — more on that.

2. Ultrawide camera: for landscapes and architecture

The wide-angle camera (most often marked 0.6x or Ultrawide in the interface) has a viewing angle of 115-120°, which allows you to capture 2-3 times more space in the frame than the main camera.

• 🏞️ Landscapes (mountas, seas, urban views).
• 🏛️ Architectures (tall buildings, cathedrals, interiors of premises).
• 👥 Group photos in tight spaces (e.g. in a restaurant or elevator).

However, the wide-angle camera has drawbacks:

• ⚠️ Edge distortion ("barrel-shaped" effect, especially noticeable on straight lines).
• ⚠️ Lower resolution (usually 8 MP or 13 MP vs 48 MP)+ MT).
• ⚠️ It works worse in the dark because of the smaller sensor size.

⚠️ Warning: When shooting with a wide-angle camera, avoid placing important objects around the edges of the frame - they will be distorted.

Tip: If you need to take a panorama, but without distortion, try Panorama mode in the Camera app - it automatically glues several shots from the main camera.

3. Telephoto camera: optical zoom without loss of quality

A telephoto lens (or camera with optical zoom) is a module that allows you to zoom in without digital interpolation. Unlike a “digital zoom” that simply increases pixels (and thereby degrades quality), an optical zoom works like a real camera lens.

Features of the telephoto camera in Xiaomi smartphones:

When to use telephoto:

• 🌕 For shooting the moon (in combination with the mode of the Moon mode in firmware) MIUI).
• 🏟️ For sporting events or concerts, when you need to "close" the scene.
• 🐦 Photographing birds, animals or remote objects.

⚠️ Note: Don't confuse optical zoom with digital! In the Xiaomi camera interface, the optical zoom steps are marked with white digits (e.g., the digits, 2x), digital gray (for example, digital gray, 10x, 50x). The latter greatly degrade the quality.

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To shoot the moon clearly, use a 5x or 10x zoom telephoto camera, turn off the flash and fix the smartphone on a tripod or holding it to a hard surface.

Macro Camera: The World in Details

The macro lens is designed to capture objects from a minimum distance (usually 2-5 cm) and captures the smallest details: leaf texture, insect wings, water droplets or jewelry. The resolution of the macro camera is usually modest (2 MP-5 MP), but it is enough for art shots.

How to take a high-quality macro photo:

Make sure the object is illuminated evenly (use an annular lamp or natural light)|

Turn off the flash, it creates sharp shadows |

Secure your smartphone or use a timer to avoid shaking|

Experiment with focus: touch the screen at the point to highlight|

Take it down. RAW post-processing-->

Examples of macro camera use:

• 🌸 Flowers and plants (pollen, dew, petal texture).
• 🐞 Insects (ants, butterflies, spiders) – but be careful!).
• 💍 Jewelry, coins, electronics (for example, chips).

Important: the macro camera on Xiaomi often has a fixed focus, so the distance to the object should be strictly 3-5 cm If you bring too close or distant - the picture will be blurred.

5 How to Switch Between Cameras and Use Them Together

In the Camera app on Xiaomi, switching between modules is done by swiping the screen switch (usually next to the down button) or touching icons with zoom multiplicity (0.6x, 1x, 2x, etc.).

1. simultaneous use of several cameras:

• 📸 Clone mode (available on some models): allows you to take a picture from the main and wide-angle camera at the same time, and then combine them in one frame.
• 🎥 Double video recording: for example, the main camera captures you, and the wide-angle – the background (useful for vlogs).

Manual selection of the camera in Pro-mode:

In Pro mode (or Manual mode), you can manually specify which module to use, which is useful if the automatics are picking the wrong camera, for example, to shoot the starry sky, it is better to force the main camera to activate with a long shutter speed.

3.Use AI to optimize:

Xiaomi Technology AI Camera analyzes the scene and automatically selects the best module. For example, if you point the camera at a flower, the smartphone may suggest switching to a macro lens. To turn off the prompts, go to the camera settings. → AI-camera.

6. Hidden functions and life hacks for a multi-chamber system

Many Xiaomi users are unaware that the cameras can be used outside the box.

The RAW video is:

The RAW (or DNG) format stores raw sensor data, allowing you to adjust exposure, white balance and other parameters afterwards without loss of quality. To enable shooting in RAW, go to Camera Settings → Format → RAW.

Night mode for all cells:

Night Mode doesn’t just work with the main camera! Try activating it for wide-angle or telephoto – the result often exceeds expectations, especially in urban settings.

3. Manual control of focus (for macro and telephoto):

In Pro mode, you can manually adjust the focal length (MF), which is useful if the autofocus does not hit the desired point (for example, when shooting through glass or grid).

Use of external lenses:

Many Xiaomi models can be fitted with additional nozzles (e.g. Xiaomi Lens Attachment) that extend the capabilities of built-in cameras, such as a fish eye for extreme wide angles or a teleconverter for zoom enhancement.

⚠️ Warning: When using external lenses, turn off digital stabilization in camera settings – it may conflict with the nozzle optics and lead to artifacts.

7. Frequent errors in shooting on multiple cameras

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the images.

• 🔋 Shooting on a discharged battery: processing photos from multiple cameras requires a lot of energy. If the charge is below 20%, the smartphone can automatically turn off some modules.
• 📱 Dirty lenses: Due to the compact location of the cameras on the back, they often get dirty.
• 🌡️ Overheating: Long-term video shooting in 4K You can get overheated using multiple cameras.
• 📏 Wrong distance: macro camera requires precise positioning, and telephoto – stable position of hands.

To avoid problems, monitor the condition of the smartphone and do not ignore the warnings of the system about high load.

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The four cameras on Xiaomi are not duplicates, but complement each other: the main one is for universal photography, wide-angle for landscapes, telephoto for zoom, macro for details. The right module choice depends on the scenario.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions