Previous articleFour cameras in Xiaomi smartphones: why you need and how to use them

Xiaomi smartphones today often have four cameras, which raises questions about why there are so many modules when you used to have one or two? In fact, each of these cameras has a unique function of expanding the possibilities of photography and video shooting. In this article, we will discuss in detail what each of the four cameras solves, how they interact with each other and what benefits they give the user.

The reason why manufacturers are increasing the number of cameras is not a marketing move, but a sound technical solution. For example, in Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Poco F5 Pro, each camera is responsible for its own type of shooting: main, ultra-wide-angle, telephoto and macro. This allows you to achieve professional quality in different conditions. Let's understand how this works in practice.

Main camera: heart of the photomodule

The main camera is the main module that handles most images, and it usually has the highest resolution (48 MP to 200 MP) and the largest array, allowing you to get detailed and vivid photos even in low light conditions. For example, in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, the main camera is equipped with a Sony IMX989 sensor with a diagonal of 1 inch, which is comparable to some mirrorless cameras.

The main camera is designed to provide high detail and natural color reproduction, which is used by default when you start the camera application, and is responsible for shooting in HDR, Nocturne (night shooting) and Portrait modes, and thanks to the large sensor and advanced processing, photos are obtained with minimal noise level and wide dynamic range.

• 📸 High resolution: 48 MP to 200 MP for detailed images.
• 🌓 Large matrix: better collects light, improving quality in the dark.
• 🎨 Natural Colors: Advanced Processing Algorithms for Realistic Pictures.

But even the most advanced main camera can't capture all the scenarios, like taking a good shot of a distant object or capturing a wide landscape, and that's what you need extra modules to do.

Ultra-wide-angle camera: for landscapes and architecture

An ultra-wide-angle camera (or ultravide) captures significantly more space than the main camera, which is typically 115°-128°, ideal for landscapes, architecture or large companies. For example, in the Xiaomi 12T Pro, the ultra-wide-angle module has an 8 MP resolution and a 120° viewing angle.

The main advantage of ultravide cameras is that they can capture more detail without having to step back, which is especially useful in tight spaces or in tall buildings, where you want to fit the entire subject in the frame, but there are also disadvantages to these cameras: the wide viewing angle can cause distortions (fish effect) around the edges of the image, and the detail is usually lower than the main camera.

• 🏞️ Ideal for landscapes: captures wide views without the need for panoramic photography.
• 🏛️ Architecture and interiors: allows you to shoot tall buildings or small rooms entirely.
• 👥 Group photos: fits a large company in the frame without the need to leave.

⚠️ Warning: When shooting with ultra-wide-angle camera, avoid placing important objects around the edges of the frame - there are most often distortions.

Many Xiaomi smartphones allow you to include distortion correction in the camera settings, which helps to reduce the effect of the fish eye. However, it is impossible to completely eliminate it – this is a physical limitation of wide-angle optics.

Telephoto camera: approaching distant objects

A telephoto camera (or zoom camera) is designed to capture remote objects without loss of quality. Unlike digital zoom, which simply zooms in pixels, telephoto uses optical zoom to preserve detail. For example, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has two telephoto cameras: one with 5× optical zoom, the other with 120× digital (hybrid).

The main scenarios for using a telephoto camera:

• 🦅 Wildlife: Photography of birds, animals or other objects that cannot be approached closely.
• 🏟️ Sports activities: Photographing players on the field or artists on stage.
• 🌆 Remote details: for example, shooting the facades of buildings or mountain peaks.

It is important to understand that digital zoom (over 10×) greatly reduces image quality due to pixel interpolation. Optical zoom (up to 5×-10×) gives the best result, so it is better to use a tripod or stabilization when shooting at high magnifications.

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When shooting with a lot of zoom, turn on Pro mode in the camera app and reduce the ISO value manually – this will help reduce noise levels.

Macro Camera: The World in Details

The macro camera allows you to photograph objects from a very close distance (usually 2-10 cm), revealing the smallest details that are invisible to the naked eye. The resolution of such cameras is usually low (2 MP-5 MP), but this is enough to capture the texture of leaves, insects, jewelry or electronics. For example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ macro camera has a resolution of 5 MP and a focal length of 3 cm.

The main advantages of the macro camera:

• 🐞 Photography of small objects: insects, flowers, coins, chips.
• 🔍 Textures Research: Tissues, Wood, Metal.
• 💍 Jewelry: rings, chains, precious stones.

However, macro cameras have limitations:

• ⚠️ Low depth of field: It is difficult to focus on an object if it is moving.
• ⚠️ Low resolution: Photos are not suitable for printing in large format.
• ⚠️ Lighting requirements: in poor light, the pictures are noisy.

⚠️ Attention: When taking macro photos, use additional lighting (such as a smartphone flashlight) and try to hold your hand as steadily as possible. Even a slight tremor can spoil the shot.

How the cameras interact with each other

All four cameras in Xiaomi smartphones are not isolated, but integrated, complementing each other. For example, when shooting in Portrait mode, you can use both the main camera (for the main image) and telephoto (for creating a bokeh effect). In Night mode, the smartphone can combine data from the main and ultra-wide-angle cameras to improve lighting and detail.

Some models, such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, use Leica Summicron technology, which optimizes camera interaction for more natural color reproduction and contrast. AI algorithms analyze the scene and automatically select the best camera or combination of both.

• 🌅 Landscape: main + ultra-wide-angle.
• 👤 Portrait: Main + telephoto (for background blurring).
• 🦋 Macro: macro camera only.
• 🏙️ Night photography: basic + ultra-wide-angle (to improve dynamic range).

Xiaomi also has Scene Detection, an AI feature that automatically adjusts the settings of the shooting depending on the subject, for example, if you point the camera at a meal, the smartphone will increase the color saturation, and if the document activates high-definition mode.

Choose the main camera for most of the photos|Use UltraVide for Landscapes and Architecture|Use telephotos for remote objects|Activate macro mode for small details|Experiment with manual settings in Pro mode-->

Advantages and Disadvantages of Four Cameras

The four cameras in a smartphone are not only pros, but also some trade-offs, so let's look at the main advantages and disadvantages of this solution.

Advantages:

• ✅ Universality: One camera for all scenarios – from macro to telephoto.
• ✅ Professional quality: the ability to shoot at the level of mirrorless cameras.
• ✅ Flexibility: Choosing the best camera for a specific task.
• ✅ Innovative modes: night shooting, portrait with bokeh, superzoom.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Larger body: Four cameras take up a lot of space, which affects the design.
• ❌ Additional weight: glass modules weigh the smartphone.
• ❌ Processing difficulty: Not all scenarios are perfectly optimized (e.g., switching between cameras at zoom).
• ❌ Price: smartphones with four cameras are usually more expensive.

Important: Not all four cameras are equally useful. For example, a 2MP macro camera is often inferior in quality to the main camera in macro mode (if supported). Before buying, check which modules are installed in the model - sometimes manufacturers save on telephoto or ultravide.

How to Choose a Xiaomi Smartphone with 4 Cameras

If you decide to buy a Xiaomi smartphone with four cameras, pay attention to the following options:

• 📱 Main camera: resolution (from 48 MP), matrix size (from 1/1.5"), support OIS (optical stabilization).
• 🔭 Telephoto: presence of optical zoom (minimum 2)×–3×), periscopic optics for large magnification.
• 🌐 Super-wide angle: viewing angle (from 115)°), distortion-correction.
• 🔍 Macro: focal length (the smaller the better), resolution (from 5 MP).

Software optimization is also worth considering. For example, Xiaomi Mi and Xiaomi 13 series smartphones usually have more advanced processing algorithms than budget Redmi or Poco. If photography is a priority for you, it is better to choose a flagship model.

If you have a budget but want a good photo, look for a triple camera model where the macro module is replaced by a better telephoto or ultra-wide-angle. For example, the Xiaomi 12T has three cameras, but they are all high-resolution and with good optics.

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Xiaomi’s flagship models (the 13, 12S, Mi series) offer the best combination of hardware and software processing, but their price is significantly higher than the budget lines.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions