The Xiaomi Mi 10S has an impressive 108MP main sensor that can take detailed images, but factory settings often fail to reveal its potential. Many users find the photos too blurry or have unnatural color reproduction, due to the active artificial intelligence algorithms that Xiaomi uses by default to process images.
To get the most out of the hardware, you need to manually adjust a number of parameters in the camera app, and we'll figure out how to turn off aggressive noise cancellation, adjust white balance, and use professional mode for shooting in difficult conditions.
The right configuration will make it a powerful tool for mobile photography, and you will learn how to manage exposure, focus and other critical parameters that are hidden in the standard interface.
Basic settings and application interface
The first thing you need to do is to master the top control panel, where the main switches are located, and that's where the key tools that affect the final quality of the shot are located, and by default, many of the options can be turned off or run in automatic mode, which does not always guess the scene.
Pay attention to the AI button. It's responsible for artificial intelligence that recognizes scenes (food, sky, greens) and saturates colors. For everyday social media shooting, it's convenient, but for art photography, it's better to turn off this feature so that the colors remain natural.
⚠️ Attention: Initiation of the regime AI can lead to oversaturation of colors and the appearance of artifacts on the boundaries of contrasting objects, which reduces the realism of the frame.
The aspect ratio is also important. To maximize the use of the sensor area, it is recommended to choose the 3:4 format, rather than the stretched 9:16 format. The stretched format simply cuts the upper and lower parts of the frame, reducing the final resolution of the shot.
💡
Use the framing grid (rule of thirds) by turning it on in the settings to make your shots more harmonious and professional.
Shooting resolution and work with 108 MP
The main advantage of the model is the ability to shoot in high resolution. However, it is worth understanding the difference between standard mode and 108 MP mode. In normal mode, the camera uses pixel binning technology, combining 9 adjacent points into one, which gives a 12 MP picture with better sensitivity.
Full resolution mode should only be turned on in perfect lighting, allowing you to capture the smallest details that you can see when you zoom in or framing, and in low light conditions, this mode, on the contrary, will degrade the quality due to digital noise.
To activate high resolution, go to the optional settings menu (three bars at the top) and select 108MP. Remember that the file size in this mode can reach 30-40 MB, which fills the device memory faster.
- 📸 Standard mode (12 MP) – ideal for fast shooting, night photos and video.
- 🖼️ 108 MP mode – use only during the day in bright sun for landscapes and architecture.
- 💾 Format HEIF — Include in the settings to save space, the quality will remain high.
Setting up exposure and focusing
Exposure control is a skill that distinguishes the amateur from the advanced user. The Xiaomi Mi 10S camera allows you to manually adjust the brightness of the frame before lowering the shutter. To do this, tap the screen at the focus point, and a slider will appear next to you.
Automation often overstates brightness by knocking out lights in white areas (for example, the sky becomes a white spot). To keep the details in light areas, you need to lower the exposure slightly by lowering the slider down, which will make the colors deeper and the shadows more saturated.
Focusing on this smartphone is fast, but in macro mode or when shooting moving objects, errors can occur, in such cases it is better to use manual focusing through Pro mode or to lock the focus with a long press on the screen (AE/AF Lock).
Tip: To capture static objects, use a timer or voice control to avoid lubrication from touching the screen.⚠️ Warning: When shooting against light, always manually lower the exposure, otherwise the subject will turn into a black silhouette.
Use of Professional Mode (Pro)
For those who want to have full control over the image creation process, there's Pro mode, which gives you access to manual shutter speed settings, ISO, white balance and focal length settings, which is analogous to SLR settings.
The ISO is responsible for the sensitivity of the matrix. The lower the value (e.g., 50 or 100), the cleaner the picture, but the more light you need. An increase in ISO is necessary in the dark, but this inevitably leads to "grain" or digital noise.
Shutter speed (S) regulates the time that light hits the matrix. Short shutter speed (1/1000) freezes motion, and long exposure (1/4 or longer) allows you to shoot at night or create the effect of silk water. Long exposure requires a tripod.
| Parameter | Value for the day | Meaning for the night | Influence on photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | 50-100 | 400-1600 | Purity of picture/Noise |
| Excerpt (S) | 1/250 and shorter | 1/30 and longer | Freeze/Lubricant |
| Balance (WB) | Car or 5500K | 3000-4000K | Warmth of color |
What is RAW in Pro mode?
Video shooting: stabilization and formats
The smartphone supports video recording in 8K resolution, but for most users, 4K at 60 frames per second is the best choice, providing smooth motion and high detail that can be framed during editing.
An important feature is electronic stabilization. You can select the degree of stabilization in the video settings. For static shooting, it is better to use minimal processing to avoid the effect of "jelly" at the edges of the frame.
Don’t forget the sound. Xiaomi Mi 10S has stereo recording, but in high winds, microphones can capture unnecessary noises. In such situations, it is recommended to use an external microphone or close the device from the wind with your hand (carefully, without closing the lens).
- 🎥 8K 30fps — maximum detail, but the huge weight of the file and heating.
- 🏃 4K 60fps — The best balance of quality and smoothness for dynamic scenes.
- 🎬 1080p 240fps — Only for slow motion (Slow-mo).
💡
For 4K 60fps video, be sure to use a high-speed memory card (U3/V30) or freed internal memory to avoid interrupting the recording.
Secrets of Night Shooting and HDR
Night mode on this device works aggressively, taking multiple shots with different exposures and gluing them together. To get the best result, keep the phone still for 2-4 seconds after pressing the down button.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) automatically aligns brightness in high contrast scenes. In Xiaomi Mi 10S, it is better to leave HDR in Auto mode, since the algorithms themselves determine when to illuminate the shadows without overexposing the light areas.
When shooting at dusk, try to find artificial light sources (lights, showcases) and build a composition around them. This will add depth and volume to the frame, avoiding flat black images.