How to set up a camera on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: detailed instructions with photo examples

Xiaomi Redmi 9T — It's a budget smartphone with a remarkably flexible camera that, when set up properly, can compete with the flagships of the past. Many users don't even realize that the 48-megapixel core module of this device supports manual tuning. ISO, shutter speed and white balance, and the Pro mode allows you to shoot in the format RAW. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic settings, but also the hidden features of the Redmi camera. 9T, which the manufacturer does not advertise.

You will learn how to achieve clear portraits with a blurred background (bokeh effect), why night shots often turn out noisy and how to fix it, as well as what settings are best used for shooting videos in the video. 4K. Particular attention will be paid to the problem of lighting in bright light - typical for all Xiaomi smartphones with Sony sensors IMX582. All recommendations tested on firmware MIUI 14.0.5 (Android 12), but it is also relevant for newer versions.

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

The first thing that catches your eye when you start the Redmi camera 9T — It's the default overprocessing. Xiaomi aggressively uses noise reduction and sharpening, which makes the photos look less natural. You can fix this in the camera settings menu, which is hidden behind the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

Open the Settings. → Camera settings and pay attention to the following points:

• 📸 Photo resolution: by default is 12 MP (pixel binning). Select for maximum quality 48 MP, but remember that the files will weigh in 3-4 more.
• 🌙 Night mode: Turn on the Auto option so that the camera can determine whether to activate night photography, which can be manually swiped left on the main interface.
• 🔍 HDR: Set the value of Auto. Fully. HDR (Slows down shooting and sometimes gives unrealistic colors.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off the car-HDR macro shooting – this feature often spoils the frame when shooting small objects.

We also recommend you to go to the settings. → Additional and activate:

• 🖼️ Save settings (so that parameters are not reset after the application is closed)
• 📱 Double-press gesture (quick camera launch double-click on power button)
• 🔄 Mirror self-image (if you want selfies to be displayed in the same way as in a mirror)

⚠️ Note: After changing the resolution to 48 MP, the camera app may be alerted to possible deterioration in low light conditions, due to the lack of pixel binning – ignore it if you shoot in good light.

2. Pro mode: manual settings for professional shots

The most powerful feature of the Redmi camera 9T — Pro mode, which allows you to manually control all key parameters of the shooting. To activate it, swipe up the camera screen or click on the icon that says: PRO You can see the following settings here:

To capture moving objects (children, animals, sports) use a combination: ISO 200, exposure 1/1000 and continuous autofocus (AF-C). If the pictures are dark, zoom in first. ISO before 800, And then adjust the shutter speed.

Critical feature of Redmi 9T: with manual shutter speed settings longer 1/4 For a second, make sure to use a tripod or a stable surface, otherwise the images will be blurred due to microshaking of the hand - the gyroscope sensor in this smartphone does not compensate for long exposures.

Install ISO depending on the lighting|Check white balance (avoid "Auto" in artificial light)|Focus on the main object|Disable digital zoom (use optical only)|Take a test shot and evaluate the histogram-->

3. Portrait Mode: How to achieve natural background blur

Redmi camera 9T Supports portrait mode on both the main and front camera, but by default, background blur (bokeh effect) looks unnatural. The problem is that Xiaomi’s algorithm too aggressively separates the object from the background, which causes artifacts to appear on the edges (cutting hair, distorting contours).

To improve the outcome:

1. Open the portrait mode (the icon of the silhouette of a person in the bottom panel).
2. Make sure that the subject is 1-2 meters away from the camera, too close or far away will impair depth recognition.
3. Click on the screen to manually select the focus point (don’t rely on autofocus).
4. After shooting, edit the photo in the gallery: reduce the intensity of blur to 50-70% (slider in the upper right corner).

For better results, take portraits in good light. In the dark, the camera loses depth accuracy, and the blur is ragged. If you need to take a portrait at night, use an external light source (a flashlight, annular lamp) and zoom in. ISO up to 800 manually.

⚠️ Note: Portrait mode on the front camera Redmi 9T It only works with one person in the frame, and if you get a second person in the frame, the blur effect will automatically shut down.

4 Night photography: how to avoid noise and blur

Night mode at Redmi 9T It's multi-exposure, where the camera takes multiple shots in a row and combines them into one, and in theory, this should reduce noise and improve detail, but in practice, it often results in blurry frames:

• 🤳 Trembling hands (even a light one)
• 🚶 Object movement in frame
• 🌃 Too dark scene (algorithm can't find reference points)

To improve nighttime pictures:

1. Use a tripod or a steady support, and even if you have a hard arm, micro-movements at long exposure will ruin the frame.
2. Activate night mode manually (swipe left to the moon icon) and wait for the inscription Hold still.
3. If there are moving objects (cars, people) in the frame, use a short shutter speed (1-2 seconds) in Pro mode. ISO 1600–3200.
4. After taking a photo, edit it in Google Photos: increase the shadow areas and reduce noise (the Details tool).

Optimal settings for night shooting in Pro mode:

• 📷 ISO: 800-1600 (higher - too noisy)
• ⏱️ Excerpt: 1/10–2 Sec (longer only with a tripod)
• 🎯 Focus: MF (Manually, focus on the brightest object
• 🔆 White balance: Incandescent lamp (gives warmer and more natural tones)

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If the night mode refuses to turn on, check the temperature of the smartphone.°C) Xiaomi blocks power-intensive features, including multi-exposure. Let the phone cool down 5-10 minutes.

5. Video shooting: settings for 4K and stabilizing

Redmi 9T Supports video recording in resolution 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps, But by default, the camera shoots in 1080p@30fps It's very compressed, to improve quality:

1. Go to Camera Settings → Video resolution and select 4K.
2. Activate stabilization (hand icon in the recording interface). 4K It's worse than Full. HD, Hold your smartphone with both hands.
3. Turn off the Digital Zoom, which is a very poor quality, and you'd better get closer to the object.
4. For smooth video, use an external microphone (connects via a 3.5 mm connector or Bluetooth), and the built-in microphone picks up the noise of wind and hand.

Important nuances:

• 🎥 When you write 4K Electronic stabilization is shut down (EIS). To return it, lower the permission to 1080p.
• 🔋 Shooting in 4K It quickly drains the battery and heats the smartphone.
• 📱 For editing the Redmi video 9T CapCut or KineMaster are optimized for working with Xiaomi files.

⚠️ Note: When recording video in 4K Smartphone automatically shuts down HDR. If you want a wide range of colors, shoot in 1080p HDR.

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To maximize video stabilization, hold your smartphone horizontally at chest level, bent your arms at your elbows, which creates natural cushioning and reduces shaking.

6. Macrograph: how to take small details without blurring

Redmi camera 9T It has a separate macro mode (the flower icon), but it only works 3 to 7 cm from the subject. If you bring the smartphone closer, the camera loses focus:

1. Enable macro mode (or select Professional mode and set focus on the MF).
2. Hold the camera to the subject before the yellow focus frame appears. Don't get any closer, it'll cause blur.
3. Use external lights (lanterns, lamps) and the flash is too hard.
4. Shoot in 48 MP format for maximum detail.

Common errors in macro photography:

• 🖼️ Shooting against light – the object will be dark, and the background overlit.
• 🤲 Trembling hands - even micromotion at a large approximation will give blur.
• 🌬️ Breathing on the object - steam from breathing can spoil the frame (relevant for shooting insects, flowers).

For insects or water drops, use serial shooting mode (hold the down button). Out of 10 frames, at least 1-2 will be clear.

7 Additional functions: timelapse, panorama, documents

In addition to the main modes, the Redmi camera 9T It offers a few useful tools that often go unnoticed:

• ⏳ Timelapse: allows you to shoot accelerated video (for example, sunset or construction: 1 frame/2 sec, permission 1080p.
• 🌄 Panorama: automatically glues several pictures. Hold the smartphone strictly horizontally, without jerking.
• 📄 Document scanning: Document mode (Intab More) automatically aligns and crops photos of papers.
• 🎭 Cloning: allows you to take multiple pictures with your participation in one frame (you need a tripod).
• 🔍 Street shots: Street mode increases contrast and saturation for urban landscapes.

The Document Mode is particularly useful for students and office workers, and it not only aligns perspective, but it also automatically cuts off extra fields and also improves the clarity of the text.

• Take the paper out at right angles (avoid tilting).
• Use good lighting (no shadows from your hand or smartphone).
• Enable grid mode (Settings) → Photography assistance → Grid) for precise framing.

8 Photo editing: built-in and third-party tools

Even a perfectly shot often requires rework. 9T There's a built-in editor with basic features, but for serious processing, it's better to use third-party applications:

For quick processing, Google Photos is suitable (free, there is a photo). AI-If you want accurate color correction, install Snapseed (free) or Lightroom Mobile (free with restrictions). RAW-Lightroom files are the best choice.

Editing tips:

• 🖼️ Do not increase saturation more than by +20 – Colors will become unrealistic.
• 🌓 For portraits, slightly reduce the arrogance (contrast between light and dark areas).
• 🔍 When trimming, leave an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9 - other formats can distort the perspective.

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To save the edited photo without loss of quality, select the option "Save copy" (not "Replace original") in the editor settings, which will allow you to return the original image if the edit result does not suit you.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions