How to take photos on Xiaomi Note 10: a complete guide for beginners and advanced users

With its 108-megapixel main camera and five-fold optical zoom, the Xiaomi Note 10 is able to compete with entry-level cameras. But even the most advanced technology requires the right approach. This article will help you understand how to unlock the full potential of your device’s camera, from basic settings to professional techniques.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to just press the shutter button, but in practice, the quality of the images is 70% dependent on the lighting, composition and the right settings. MIUI, We also offer practical tips on how to process photos directly on your phone.

Special attention will be paid to the unique feature of Xiaomi Note 10 – the ability to save pictures in format RAW simultaneously JPEG. It allows you to edit photos flexibly in Lightroom or Snapseed without losing quality.

1. familiarity with the camera Xiaomi Note 10: specifications and capabilities

Xiaomi Note 10 is equipped with a five-module camera, each of which performs its function:

• 📸 Core module 108 MP (Samsung Bright) HMX) aperture f/1.69 — for detailed pictures in good lighting
• 🌙 Wide-angle module 20 MPP (117°) aperture f/2.2 — landscape
• 🔍 Telephoto module 12 MP with 2x optical zoom 5x Hybrid – for portraits and remote objects
• 🎯 Telephoto module 5 MP s 5x optical zoom - for super approximation
• 💡 2 MP depth sensor – for background blur in portrait mode

A key advantage of this camera is pixel-binning technology, which combines 4 pixels into 1 to improve light sensitivity, which means that when you shoot automatically, you get 27 megapixel shots with great detail and low noise.

Software processing is equally important: Xiaomi uses its own algorithms. AI But sometimes automation can overdo it, like saturating greens or blurring small details, and that's something to keep in mind when you're shooting nature or architecture.

2. Basic camera settings: what to change immediately after purchase

Before you start shooting, we recommend you optimize your camera settings. Go to the Camera app, click on the gear settings (⚙️) in the upper right corner and pay attention to the following parameters:

• 📱 Photo resolution: Set 108 MP (if you plan to print or crop) or 27 MP for everyday shots. Remember that 108 MP files take up ~30MB each!
• 🌓 Regime. HDR: Turn on the car HDR — This will help balance exposure in contrasting scenes (e.g. against the sun).
• 🔄 Conservation RAW: Activate Save RAW+JPEG Professionally for flexible post-processing.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off autofocus when touching if you frequently photograph moving objects – this will prevent accidental defocusing.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in 108 MP, the night mode and some effects are turned off AI. Use this resolution only in good lighting or on a tripod - otherwise you risk getting blurred frames due to prolonged processing.

Another important thing is the video settings. For most tasks, Full is enough. HD 60fps, But if you're shooting for social media, try it. 4K 30fps This is especially true for dynamic scenes, like when you're shooting with your hand while you're moving.

Set a resolution of 27 MP for everyday images

Turn on the Auto HDR

Activate conservation RAW pro-regime

Turn off the shutter sound (in the system settings)

Check the purity of the lenses (especially telephoto)

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3. Shooting Modes: When and How to Use Them

The Xiaomi Note 10 camera app offers 12 shooting modes, but most users are limited to automatic.

The most important feature is the Document mode, which automatically aligns perspective and improves readability, which is an indispensable tool for digitizing notes or making copies of documents, and it is enough to point the camera at the text and wait for the outline to illuminate.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in mode 5x If you have optical zoom, hold your phone as steady as possible, the slightest shaking of your hand will lead to a blurred frame. 2x zoom followed by framing.

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To quickly switch between the camera modules, double tap the screen in photo mode, which will save time when shooting dynamically.

4. Professional Mode: Manual settings for the perfect shot

Pro mode in Xiaomi Note 10 gives you full control over the settings of the shooting. To activate it, swipe your finger on the screen to the left end or press More → Here are the key parameters that are worth mastering:

• 📐 ISO: It regulates light sensitivity. 100-6400. Advice: ISO > 1600 Digital noises appear – use only in extreme cases.
• ⏱️ Shutter speed: shutter opening time. Use motion to capture motion. 1/500c and faster; for nightscapes — 1/4c and slower (a tripod is needed!).
• 🎯 Focus: Manually set the focal length for macro photography or when autofocus does not hit the desired point.
• 🌡️ White balance: adjust manually when shooting under artificial light (e.g. in restaurants with warm lamps).
• 📊 Histogram: shows the distribution of light and shadows. Aim for a slide in the middle of the graph.

One of the most useful tricks is shooting in format. RAW. To save the file RAW together JPEG:

1. Go to pro-mode
2. Click on the settings icon (⚙️) top-right
3. Activate the Save option RAW
4. Take a picture - two files will appear in the gallery: editable RAW ready-made JPEG

RAW-file ~50 MB each, but allow you to correct the exposure to ±3 steps in Lightroom without loss of quality, which is especially valuable when shooting in difficult light conditions, for example, at concerts or sunset.

5 Night photography: how to take clear photos in low light

The night mode in the Xiaomi Note 10 is powered by multi-frame shooting and noise-cancellation algorithms, and two technologies are available here, unlike the competition:

• Automatic night mode – activated when low light is detected
• Manual night mode - allows you to set shutter speed up to 32 seconds (!) for creative shots

For the best results, follow these recommendations:

1. Use a tripod or lean your phone against a wall/table, and even microscopic jitters will ruin your shot when you're in a long shutter speed.
2. Manually set it up. ISO 800-1600 and endurance 4-8 seconds for cityscapes.
3. Turn off the flash, it creates hard shadows and knocks out the glare.
4. Take it down. RAW, If you plan post-processing, the night mode saves more detail in the shadows.

⚠️ Note: When shooting moving objects (cars, people) in night mode, use shutter speed no longer 1/4 You'll get ghostly blurry silhouettes in seconds, or you'll get ghostly blurry silhouettes. ISO before 3200 shorten the exposure.

Interesting Life Hack: If you are photographing the starry sky, try the night mode combination + telephoto 2x. This will reduce the amount of light pollution from the city and make the stars more visible:

• Mode: Night (manual)
• ISO: 3200
• Shutter speed: 20 seconds
• Focus: Infinity (∞)

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The Xiaomi Note 10 night mode works more efficiently with objects with stable lighting (for example, backlit architecture). Moving light sources (headlights, flashlights) often cause artifacts in the form of colored stripes.

6. Portrait photography: how to achieve professional background blur

The dual camera and depth sensor in the Xiaomi Note 10 allow you to create bokeh (blurred background) portraits at the level of SLR cameras.

First, the distance to the object. The optimal distance — 1-2 If you get too close, the algorithm can misalign the person from the background, if you step too far, the blur is weak, and second, the background must contrast with the object, for example, dark hair on a dark background leads to "stripping" the edges.

After the shooting, you can edit the blur level:

1. Open the photo in the gallery
2. Press Edit. → Portrait
3. Move the slider Blurr background (recommended range: 30-70%)
4. If necessary, adjust the mask with the brush tool.

For creative portraits, experiment with lighting:

• 💡 Counterlight (object illuminated from behind) – creates a dramatic effect
• 🌅 Side light (on one side) – highlights the texture of skin and hair
• 🔦 Soft scattered light (cloud day) – ideal for natural portraits

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For portraits indoors, use two light sources: the main (front-side) and the filling (on the opposite side), and the second source will be reflected light from the white wall.

7. Video Shooting: Settings for Cinematic Results

Xiaomi Note 10 supports video recording in resolution up to 8K 24fps, But for most tasks, it's redundant. Optimal settings for different scenarios:

The built-in microphone Xiaomi Note 10 is good enough, but in noisy conditions (concerts, street) it is better to use an external microphone through the street. USB-C. For post-processing audio enhancement, try Lexis Audio Editor or Adobe Premiere Rush.

Another secret of cinematic video is manual focusing, so in video mode, tap the screen and hold your finger on the subject for 2 seconds to block the focus, which will prevent unwanted "jumps" of field during the shooting.

8 Post-processing: How to improve photos directly on the phone

Even a perfectly shot can be improved with post-processing. The Xiaomi Note 10 has a few tools pre-installed, but for serious work, it is better to use third-party apps:

• 📱 Built-in gallery editor: suitable for quick edits (trimming, exposure, filters).
• 🎨 Snapseed: Google’s free editor with support RAW and point correction.
• 🖼️ Lightroom Mobile: professional tools (curves, masks, presets).
• 🤳 VSCO: Stylish filters and minimalist interface for social networks.

Basic processing algorithm:

1. Pruning and alignment – correct the horizon and remove the extra elements.
2. Exposure – Raise shadows and lower lights to bring back details.
3. Color correction – adjust the temperature (2500-5500K for natural tones) and saturation.
4. Sharpness – Apply a sharpness mask (radius) 0.5-1.0) only to key sites.
5. Noise Reduction – Use Selective Tool in Snapseed → Denoise for shadows.

⚠️ Attention: When processing photos 108 MT avoid strong compression when exporting. In Lightroom, set the quality 90-100% format JPEG permittably 80% from the original, otherwise you will lose the detail.

For quick processing of photo packages (for example, from a trip), create your own preset in Lightroom:

1. Edit one photo.
2. Press...

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When processing portraits in Lightroom, use a skin mask (Selective) → Skin) to smooth out tonal transitions without losing texture.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Shooting on Xiaomi Note 10