The Xiaomi Mi 10 has become the flagship of its time, offering users a 108-megapixel array and impressive video capabilities. However, like any complex device, it requires the right initial calibration to unlock the full potential of optics. Many owners immediately take pictures in automatic mode, unaware that factory settings are often “sharpened” for the average user, rather than for your specific tasks.
Deep settings will allow you to manage exposure, white balance and noise reduction much more efficiently than artificial intelligence does in the standard scenario. In this article, we will explore not only the basic options, but also the hidden features that will turn your phone into a powerful tool for mobile photography. Understanding the logic of processing algorithms is the first step to creating masterpieces.
Before we get to the tricky part, we need to get familiar with the interface and the main switches available in the standard application. Properly preparing the device and understanding the physical limitations of the sensor will help avoid common errors, such as blurred frames or overlit areas. Let's start with the basic configuration of the system.
Basic configuration and update of the camera module
The first thing to do before any fine-tuning is to make sure the software is working correctly. Often, problems with photo quality or lack of certain features are in the outdated version of the firmware or the camera module itself. MIUI system receives periodic updates to improve the performance of HDR algorithms and night mode.
Check for updates through the settings menu. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and click the check button. If there is no system update, go to the Camera app, click on the three bars in the corner of the screen and select Check Updates. This is a critical step, as new versions often contain focus bug fixes.
After the update, it is recommended to reset the camera settings to factory to eliminate conflicts of old parameters. To do this, in the camera settings menu (three bars), find the item “Restore default settings.” This action will not delete your photos, but will return all sliders and switches to their original position, which will provide a clean base for further experimental work.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting your camera settings, your personalized watermarks and saved filters may disappear.It is recommended to take screenshots of important configurations in advance or simply remember that they can be reconfigured in a couple of minutes.
The stability of the module depends on the availability of free space in memory. If the internal storage is more than 90% full, the system can force the video bitrate or photo quality to speed up recording.
Setting up the resolution and the aspect ratio
The main sensor Xiaomi Mi 10 has a resolution of 108 MP, but by default the camera shoots in binning mode of pixels (merging neighboring points) to get 27-megapixel images with better light sensitivity. Switch to full resolution mode can be in the upper interface menu, selecting the value of 108MP. However, it is worth remembering that this mode has its own features.
When activated 108 MP, many AI features are turned off, including improved HDR and some night shooting modes. Files take up significantly more space (about 30–40 MB vs. 5–8 MB), and burst shooting speeds drop. Use this mode only in perfect lighting, when maximum detail is important for subsequent printing or framing.
The aspect ratio also affects the final image. The standard 4:3 is considered to be a full-scale matrix, without cropping. 16:9 simply cuts the top and bottom of the frame programmatically, which is convenient for viewing on smartphone screens, but reduces the viewing angle. Social networks like Instagram often use 1:1 or 4:5, but professionals recommend shooting in full 4:3 and cropping already when editing.
It is important to understand the difference between optical and digital zoom. Xiaomi Mi 10 is equipped with a telephoto lens that allows you to make 2x optical zoom without loss of quality. All values above 2x are digital crop, which leads to loss of detail. Try to use zoom no more than 5x, if you do not want to get a soap picture.
Working with HDR and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The HDR (High Dynamic Range) feature in the Xiaomi Mi 10 works by creating multiple frames with different exposures and then combining them. This allows you to save details in both the darkest and brightest areas of the scene. In modern versions of MIUI, this feature often works in the background (Auto HDR), but the user can force it to turn it on or off.
Regime. AI The camera automatically recognizes scenes (sky, food, documents, plants) and applies the appropriate saturation and contrast filters. This is convenient for everyday shooting, as the colors become brighter and “delicious.” AI, to get a more neutral, natural color reproduction that is easier to correct in post-processing.
You can customize the AI behavior in detail in the camera settings. Click on the star icon or go to the settings to find the Scene Improvement sliders. Here you can select the level of aggressiveness of the algorithms. If you're shooting sunsets or the sky, sometimes you should lower the intensity to avoid unnatural gradients and artifacts.
| Mode of shooting | Influence on photo | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| HDR Off | The risk of overlights or black shadows | Only for creative tasks |
| HDR On | Light and shadow balance, higher detail | Landscapes, counterlight |
| AI Included | Bright, rich colors | Social media, food, nature |
| AI Off | Natural, calm tones | Architecture, portraits for retouching |
⚠️ Warning: When shooting fast-moving objects (children, sports) HDR It can create artifacts of "doubles" or lubricants because of the processing time of several frames. HDR.
Professional Mode (Pro) and Manual Settings
For full image control, the Xiaomi Mi 10 features Pro mode, which allows you to manually control the main exposure parameters, where you can set your ISO, shutter speed, white balance and focal length, and is an indispensable tool for complex lighting conditions.
ISO is responsible for the sensitivity of the matrix. The lower the value (ISO 50-100), the cleaner the image, but the more light you need. Increasing the ISO (up to 3200 and above) allows you to shoot in the dark, but inevitably leads to digital noise. Try to keep the ISO minimal, compensating for the lack of light exposure.
Shutter speed (denoted as S or fraction, for example, 1/1000) determines the time during which light hits the matrix. Short shutter speed (1/1000, 1/2000) “freezes” the movement, and long (1/4, 1 second) blurs it, creating a flow effect. For shooting from the hands, the shutter speed should not be longer than 1/50-1/60 seconds, otherwise there will be a smear from the trembling of the hands.
☑️ Settings for night photos
White balance (WB) If the photo is too blue, add heat (slider to the right, to the light bulb). If the image is yellow, cool it (slider to the left, to the blue). WB Especially important when shooting under artificial lighting.
Video Shooting: Stabilization and Bitrate
Xiaomi Mi 10 is capable of recording video in 8K resolution, but for most tasks, the optimal choice is 4K at 60 frames per second. In the video settings, you can choose quality. Remember that 8K video takes up a huge amount of space and heats the device very much, so use it only if you need subsequent framing.
The key feature for video is stabilization. The Mi 10 uses electronic stabilization, which works effectively in conjunction with optical (OIS) on the main camera. When activated, 4K/60fps stabilization can be less effective or even turned off by the system to reduce the load on the processor. For shooting in motion, it is better to choose 1080p at 60fps or 4K at 30fps.
The audio is also customizable. From the video settings menu, you can choose Audio Zoom, which amplifies the sound in the zoom direction, or Directed Sound, which focuses on the subject in the center of the frame, which is a very useful feature for recording interviews or concerts, which allows you to cut off background noise.
Why does your phone warm up when shooting 4K?
Remember to format your memory card if you use external storage, although 8K video is strongly recommended to use only the built-in UFS 3.0 memory, as the write speed on the microSD may not be enough, which will cause recording interruptions.
Secrets of night photography and work with light
Night Mode in Xiaomi Mi 10 works wonders, but requires the right technique. The algorithm takes a series of images with different exposures and folds them. The main condition is the phone is still for 2-4 seconds. Hold the smartphone with both hands, press your elbows against your body, or encircle the device against a stationary object.
In manual mode, you can experiment with "long shutter speed" at night. By setting the phone on a tripod and selecting shutter speeds of a few seconds, you can capture light traces from car headlights or water blur in a fountain. This is the case when automatic mode is powerless without using a tripod, because it always tries to make the frame brighter by increasing ISO, not exposure time.
Focus in the dark can be slow. In Pro mode, switch focus to manual mode (MF) and move the slider towards the macro (flower) if you shoot close, or to infinity (mountains) if you shoot a landscape. Using focus peak (contours illumination) in professional mode greatly simplifies this task.
⚠️ Warning: Turning on the flash in night mode often spoils the frame, creating flat lighting and "knocking out" the background. Try using night mode without flash, pointing the phone against the wall - the result will be much more natural.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Xiaomi Mi 10 camera focused too long?
Can I shoot RAW on Xiaomi Mi 10?
How do you turn on the framing grid?
Why does portrait mode not blur the background?
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The key to quality photos on the Xiaomi Mi 10 is knowing when to trust automation and when to take control through Pro mode. Don't be afraid to experiment with ISO settings and shutter speeds.
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Use voice control of the camera. Say the phrase "Shoot" or "Smile" (setting in the camera menu) to take a photo without touching the screen, which eliminates shaking the device at night.