Full camera setup on Xiaomi 8 Pro and Redmi: from basic parameters to hidden chips

The camera in Xiaomi 8 Pro and the Redmi lineup is one of the key elements that often becomes a decisive factor when choosing a device, but even the top modules will not show their potential without the right setup. Many users are limited to automatic mode, not knowing that the arsenal MIUI hidden dozens of parameters for fine optimization of shooting – from correcting white balance to manually adjusting shutter speed.

In this article, we’ll break down all the camera settings available on the Xiaomi 8 Pro and popular Redmi models (including the Note 12 Pro).+, Redmi K50 And others, we'll learn to adapt them to different lighting conditions, and we'll also uncover hidden features that are not mentioned in the official instructions. MIUI — Why Professional Mode is Lost or How to Recover Lost Filters.

If you want to get the best quality images without post-processing or just figure out what each parameter in the Camera app is responsible for, this is for you. We will not limit ourselves to basic tips like "wipe the lens", but we will dive into the technical details that affect the final quality of photos and videos.

Why Xiaomi’s standard camera settings aren’t always optimal

Smartphone makers like Xiaomi often customize their cameras to “average” use cases, which means that image processing algorithms are optimized for daylight, portrait photography, and social media — but not for specific tasks like macro photography, tripod-free night photography, or high-dynamic-range video.

For example, the Xiaomi 8 Pro has an aggressive noise maker that blurs details in the dark areas of the image by default.+ Auto-exposure algorithms often illuminate the sky in landscape images, and these problems can be solved manually, but you need to know where and what to set up.

Another common situation: after the update MIUI For example, in some versions of the firmware, the Professional mode is hidden behind an additional swipe, and in others, it must be activated through Settings. → We'll show you how to get all the functions back in place.

Basic camera settings: what can be changed without a deepening in the "Profi"

Before you go to manual modes, you should optimize the basic parameters that affect the camera operation in automatic mode, these settings are available directly in the interface of the Camera application and do not require special knowledge.

Open the camera app and tap the gear icon (⚙️) In the upper right corner, you'll find the following key options:

• 📸 Photo resolution: By default, it is usually 12 MP (for models with main camera) 50+ MP) For most tasks, this is enough, but if you want maximum detail (e.g. for printing), choose 50 MP 108 MP (depending on model) Note that the files will weigh in 3-4 more.
• 🎥 Video resolution: The optimal balance between quality and file size — 4K@30fps. For dynamic scenes (sports, children) it is better to choose 1080p@60fps. Regime. 8K Only available on flagships (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra, but it eats up memory and heats up the processor quickly.
• 🔄 The aspect ratio is 4:3 for print, 16:9 for screen viewing, 1:1 for Instagram. On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ There is also a 9:16 option for vertical video in TikTok.
• 🌙 Night mode: Turn on the Auto option so that the camera itself offers to activate night mode in low light conditions. On the Xiaomi 8 Pro, this algorithm works better than on the budget Redmi, but in both cases manual activation gives a more predictable result.

Note the Watermark, if it's on, all photos will show a smartphone model and date, which is travel-friendly, but can ruin the footage for professional use, and check the Save to Memory Card setting if you have a microSD installed, which will save space in your internal memory.

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On Xiaomi 8 Pro and Redmi K50 There's a hidden feature in the camera settings called Face Improvement (in the Beauty section), and turn it off if you don't want the algorithms to artificially pull up facial features on selfies, which spoils the naturalness.

Professional Mode: Manual Customization for the Perfect Frame

If you don’t like automatic mode, you should move to manual settings. Xiaomi 8 Pro and most Redmi (except the most budget models) have a Professional (or Pro) mode that allows you to control the main parameters of shooting:

• 🔘 Shutter speed (S): Adjusts the time the camera shutter stays open. 1/1000–1/500, dusk — 1/30–1/4, And for night photography with a tripod, you can put it up. 1–3 seconds.
• 📐 ISO: The higher the value, the brighter the image, but the more noise. The optimal range for the Xiaomi 8 Pro is 100-800 during the day and 800-3200 at night.
• 🎯 Focus: In manual mode, you can set the focus on a specific object, which is useful for macro or portraits with a blurred background (bokeh effect).+ There is an option Peaking (lighting areas in focus), which simplifies the setting.

On Xiaomi 8 Pro in Professional mode is also available to customize the color profile (DCI-P3 The first one gives more saturated colors, but it can distort skin tones, so it's better to use sRGB for portraits.

To save the settings as a preset, click on the star icon (⭐) This is useful if you often shoot in the same conditions (for example, concerts or sunsets).

Choose the optimal resolution (12 MP or 50 MP)

Shut down. HDR, if you're filming RAW

Install ISO No more than 1600 to minimize noise

Check the white balance under the light source

Use a tripod to hold longer 1/30 seconds-->

Xiaomi’s Hidden Camera Features: What’s Not on the Surface

MIUI It hides a number of useful features that are not obvious at first glance:

1. Filming in format RAW

Files. RAW They have raw data from the matrix, which gives you more post-processing power to activate that mode:

1. Open the camera. → Professional.
2. Press the badge. RAW in the top panel (if not, check the camera settings).
3. Take a photo - next to JPEG The.dng file will be saved.

On Xiaomi 8 Pro RAW Available only at 12 MP resolution, and on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ — at 50 MP.

2. Double pressing of the volume button

By default, a quick double-press on the volume button triggers the camera even if the phone is locked, which is convenient for snapshots, but the function can be reassigned:

1. Go to Settings. → Buttons and gestures → Double press of volume button.
2. Select Camera Launch or turn off the option.

Scanning mode "Document"

The Camera app has a hidden Document mode that automatically aligns perspective and improves text clarity.

1. Scroll through the shooting modes to the left until the end.
2. Press More. → Document.

This mode is useful for scanning checks, tickets or book pages.

4.Mic setting for video

When recording a video, you can choose which microphone to use:

• 🎤 Main microphone – captures sound from the front.
• 🔊 Noise suppression – removes background noise (useful for street photography).
• 🎧 External microphone – if connected via Type-C.

The setting is available in video mode via the Microphone button in the upper panel.

Optimizing the camera for specific shooting scenarios

There's no universal settings, you have to tailor the settings to a specific task, and let's look at the optimal configurations for popular scenarios.

To shoot moving objects (children, animals, sports) turn on Sport mode or manually set a short shutter speed (1/1000) high-end ISO (800–1600). Xiaomi. 8 Pro also has an object tracking option that automatically keeps focus on the selected subject.

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To capture sunset or dawn, use the Professional mode with exposure 1/30–1/2 and ISO 100–200. Turn off the car.-HDR — He often lights up the sky.

Xiaomi camera problems and their solutions

Even flagship models like the Xiaomi 8 Pro have occasional camera failures, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1.The camera is not focusing

If the autofocus is floating or not working:

• 🧹 Clean the lens of dirt and fingerprints.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes resetting the camera module helps.
• 🛠️ Check the settings: in Professional mode, the focus can be manually set to infinity.
• 📱 Update. MIUI or revert to the previous version if the problem occurred after the update.

2. The photos are blurred.

Causes and solutions:

• 🤳 Trembling hands: use a short exposure (1/200) tripod.
• 🌫️ Dirty lens: wipe with a soft cloth (not paper!).
• 🔍 Wrong focus: touch the screen in the area you need to sharply pass.
• 📉 Low lighting: Turn on Night Mode or use external lighting.

3. Shooting modes are missing

If you have lost the Professional, Night Mode or other options:

1. Check if they are hidden in the camera settings → Additionally. → Modes of shooting.
2. Reset the camera settings through Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the data.
3. Install an alternative firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) or a camera app (e.g. GCam).

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If the camera is on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ start "sweeping" when shooting a video, try to disable Ultrastabilization - it heavily loads the processor.

Alternative camera apps for Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s standard Camera app doesn’t always do the job, especially on budget Redmis, and third-party software will help in such cases.

• 📷 Google Camera (GCam): Portable versions of this app support many Xiaomi and Redmi models. GCam is famous for better handling HDR You can download it here (select the version for your model).
• 🎥 Open Camera: Open Source with Support RAW, It's a hand-tuning, even infrared shooting, if the hardware allows.
• 📸 ProCam X: Paid application with advanced professional photography tools, including histogram, exposure levels and support for external microphones.

Before installing GCam, check your model’s compatibility on forums (e.g, 4PDA or XDA Some features (e.g. Night Sight) may not work on budget Redmis due to hardware limitations".

How to install GCam:

1. Download. APK-file.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security.
3. Install the application and provide all the permissions requested.
4. In GCam settings, select the configuration (config-file) for your smartphone.

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The GCam on the Xiaomi 8 Pro gives more natural colors than the standard camera, but may be worse at handling portrait mode (due to differences in background blurring algorithms).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi camera