How to set up a camera on Xiaomi Redmi 9T For quality photos: a complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9T β€” It's a budget smartphone with a remarkably flexible camera, but many owners don't use it even 30 percent of its potential. + 8 MP is ultra-wide), and in the standard settings, sharpened to "take and forget." This article will help you get the most out of the Redmi camera. 9T without buying additional accessories - only through competent software configuration and understanding of technical nuances.

We're not just going to look at basic parameters like resolution or HDR, but also hidden functions MIUI, And that's not what Xiaomi is saying, like how to manually adjust white balance for shooting with incandescent lights, why nighttime often spoils images instead of improving them, and how to get around the restriction on saving photos in format. RAW (Yeah, at Redmi. 9T You will also learn which settings should be changed one-time, and which - adapt to each scene.

Basic camera settings: what to change immediately after purchase

The first thing you need to do is reset the camera to the factory settings, even if the phone is new. MIUI, And the default settings may be different from the optimal ones:

  1. Open the Camera app.
  2. Touch the gears. βš™οΈ top-right.
  3. Select Restore the default settings.
  4. Confirm the action.

Now we're going to fine-tune it, and let's start with the parameters that affect the quality of each image, regardless of the scenario:

  • πŸ“Έ Photo resolution: set 48 MP (in the Settings menu) β†’ Resolution. Yes, the files will weigh more, but the detail will increase by 2-3 times. For social networks, you can then reduce the size manually.
  • πŸ”„ Preservation format: select High Quality (HEIF), If you want to edit a photo, if you want to be as compatible as possible (for example, for mailing), leave it. JPEG.
  • 🌟 HDR: turn off the automatic HDR And only play it in high-contrast scenes (like a sunset against a dark tree). HDR on the Redmi 9T Often overshadows the sky or "eats" shadows.

⚠️ Note: If you are shooting in a format HEIF, Note that some programs (such as older versions of Photoshop) do not support it. HEIF Image Extensions by Microsoft.

Another critical parameter is the serial shooting. 9T It works in an unusual way: if you hold the shutter button pinched, the camera does up to 20 frames per second, but only saves the last 5-7 (depending on the lighting:

  1. Go to Camera Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Serial shooting.
  2. Select Save all frames (recommended frames are the default).

This is useful for shooting dynamic scenes (sports, children, animals), where it is important to choose the best shot later.

πŸ“Š How often do you change your camera settings on your smartphone?
Never, ever, ever, ever.
Sometimes when the lights are bad.
I regularly adjust to the stage.
I don't know where those settings are.

2. Shooting modes: what when to use

Redmi 9T It offers 7 basic modes of shooting, but most users are limited to Photo and Portrait. Let's take each mode with examples of when you really need it.

Regime.When to useWhat to set up before shootingTypical errors
Photo (Auto)80% of everyday scenes: streetscapes, food, static objectsTurn it off. HDR, If the lighting is uniform, turn on the grid (rule of thirds).The sun is bright, the light is weak, and the light is dark.
PortraitPeople, animals, objects with a clear background (flowers, statuettes)Set background blur: High. Step 1 to 1.5 meters away from the object.Incorrect recognition of edges (hair, wool) if too close
Night mode.Only for static objects in the dark (city lights, interiors)Use a tripod or a support. Manually set the shutter speed for 2-3 seconds.Lubrication when shooting from hands, noise on moving objects
ProfessionalShooting in RAW, manual setting of the exhibition, creative framesInstall. ISO higher 1600, Excerpt β€” 1/50–1/200 s.Overexposed personnel at high ISO, white-balance

Night mode on Redmi 9T β€” It's a separate topic. Many people mistakenly turn it on when there's a slight lack of light, but in practice it's only effective in two cases:

  • πŸŒƒ Photographing of fixed objects (buildings, streets) in total darkness.
  • πŸ•―οΈ Interiors with artificial lighting (lamps, garlands), where you need to preserve the atmosphere.

In all other cases (for example, evening portraits), it is better to use the Photo Mode with an increased image. ISO (800) and short shutter speed. Why? Because Redmi's night mode is on the back. 9T automatically applies aggressive noise reduction, which "smears" small details (hair, texture of clothing).

πŸ’‘

If night mode is spontaneously turned on, turn off the auto-night mode option in the camera settings. It often works even during the day in cloudy weather, spoiling the colors.

3. Manual settings: how to remove in RAW and manage the exhibition

Redmi's Hidden "Trick" 9T β€” Ability to save photos in format RAW (It's raw data from the matrix, although there's no option in the interface:

  1. Go to Professional Mode (slip the shooting modes to the left).
  2. Touch the badge. βš™οΈ top-right.
  3. Turn on the Save option. RAW-Images (defaulted off).

RAW-file-weight ~30-50 MB each, but they give you full control of color, exposure and noise in post-processing. JPEG irretrievably lost.

Now let’s analyze the key parameters in professional mode:

  • πŸ”˜ ISO: The lower the noise, but the darker the frame. Optimal: 100-400 in the afternoon, 800-1600 in the dusk.
  • ⏱️ Exposure: For static objects, you can increase to 1/10 c, but only with a tripod. For hand-held photography, no lower. 1/50 s.
  • 🎯 Focus: manually adjust the distance (from 0.1 m to ∞) macro-size.
  • πŸ”† White balance: Automation often fails in artificial lighting. For incandescent bulbs, choose 3200K, for LED β€” 4000K.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in RAW Turn off all effects (for example, AI-Beauty or living filters. They only apply to JPEG-preview, but not to the very RAW-a file that may be misleading when viewed.

If you need to adjust your exposure quickly without going professional, use manual brightness control:

  1. Point the camera at the object.
  2. Tap the screen to focus.
  3. Swipe up/down the screen (right of the focus point) change the exposure.

Install ISO ≀ 1600|Disable all filters and AI-effects|Use a tripod or support|Check the free space on the memory card (RAW "eat" ~50MB per frame)|Take a test frame to check the white balance

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4.Portraiting: How to Avoid Blurred Edges and Unnatural Skin

Portrait mode on Redmi 9T It uses software-based background blur (boke), but it often misreads the boundaries of objects:

  • πŸ“ Distance: optimally 1-1.5 meters. If you get closer, the camera will lose hair or edges of clothing.
  • 🌈 Lighting: Avoid contrasting light (such as the sun at its zenith) and it is better to shoot in shade or in diffuse light.
  • πŸ”„ Blurring settings: From the Portrait Mode menu, select Blurring Background: Medium (high often looks unnatural).
  • πŸ‘€ AI-beauty: disable or set to 1-2 (default costs 5, which greatly smooths the texture of the skin).

If the portrait is too dark, don't increase the exposure, instead turn on the Flushing Flash (lightning icon with a down arrow) that illuminates the face without overshadowing the background.

For group portraits, use an ultra-wide module (0.8x), But consider his peculiarities:

  • Distortions at the edges (such as elongated faces) will be stronger.
  • Details are lower than the main camera (only 8 MP).
  • The minimum focusing distance is 30 cm (versus 10 cm for the main camera).
How to make the effect of "light eyes" in a portrait
Turn on the Filling Flash and set the white balance on 5000K. Then in Lightroom, increase your eye-only exposure with a mask, and it mimics the ring flash effect without over-lighting your entire face.

5. Video Shooting: Settings for a stable image

Redmi 9T shoots video in resolution before 1080p@60fps, But the default is suboptimal. This is what you need to change for smooth video:

  • πŸŽ₯ Permission: select 1080p (Full HD) And 30 fps (not 60) and 60 frames, and the detail gets worse and the noise gets worse in the dark.
  • πŸ“ Stabilization: Enable Improved Stabilization (in the video settings), but remember that it trims the edges of the frame on the screen. ~10%.
  • πŸ”Š Sound: Turn off Noise Reduction if you’re shooting music or natural sounds – it distorts high frequencies.
  • πŸ’‘ Lighting: When shooting indoors, use an additional light source (even a desk lamp) to avoid graininess.

To shoot dynamic scenes (such as sports) switch to 720p@60fps β€” This will reduce the lubrication of fast motion. 1080p@30fps, and then slow down in the editor (e.g., in CapCut) to 0.5x speed.

⚠️ Note: When shooting a video in 4K (It's only available on the main camera, and you're going to shut down the electronic stabilization, and you're going to use a tripod or a Gimbal, otherwise the video is going to be shaking.

If you're shooting TikTok or Reels videos, turn on Square (1:1) right in the camera settings so you don't have to crop the frame later. It's also helpful to activate Grid Display to keep the horizon flat.

6. Additional accessories: what you really need

Thought Redmi 9T It removes well "out of the box", several inexpensive accessories will help to raise the quality to a new level:

AccessoryWhy do you need it?Budget option (up to 1000) β‚½)Premium option (2000–5000) β‚½)
A tripodStabilization for night shooting, selfies, videoA tripod with flexible legs (such as UBeesize 50)Manfrotto Pixi Evo monopod with wireless remote control
External microphoneClean sound for video (interviews, streams)Boyya Lavalier microphone BY-M1Directed microphone Rode VideoMicro
Ring lampSmooth lighting for portraits and videos10-inch lamp with phone holder18-inch Neewer lamp with color temperature adjustment
Clip lensesMacro, wide angle, fisheyeXenvo Pro Lens set (3 in 1)Moment Macro (Professional Quality)

If you're on a budget, start with a tripod, which is 80 percent of the time (night shoot, video, selfie), and the second most important accessory is the external microphone, because it's built into Redmi. 9T It makes a lot of noise and dims high frequencies.

When buying clip lenses, pay attention to the fastening mechanism. 9T universal clips with rubber clips are suitable, but they must fit tightly to the camera, otherwise there will be vignetting (darkening at the edges).

πŸ’‘

The most effective accessory for Redmi 9T β€” It allows you to use long shutter speeds (up to 30 seconds in manual mode) and shoot video without shivering, which you can not do with your hands.

7 Post-processing: How to correct shooting errors

Even with perfect camera settings, some photos need to be reworked. 9T The following tools will be appropriate:

  • πŸ“± Mobile editors: Snapseed - for accurate exposure and color correction. Lightroom Mobile - for working with the user RAW preset. VSCO β€” Quick application of filters with intensity setting.
  • πŸ’» Desktop programs: Darktable (free analogue of Lightroom). GIMP β€” retouching.

Typical problems with Redmi photos 9T and how to fix them:

Problem.Reason.How to fix in the editor
Lights in the skyExposure to too high a level of exposure or HDRIn Lightroom: Reduce Light and Whiteness, add a gradient filter to the sky.
Noise in the darkHigh. ISO (>1600)In Snapseed: Apply Noise Reduction (no more than 30%), slightly wash the shadows.
Unnatural colorsThe Wrong White BalanceIn Darktable: Use a pipette to select the neutral gray on the frame.
Blurred edges in portraitBokeh algorithm errorV GIMP: Cut the frame or manually finish the blur mask.

If you're filming in RAW, Always start editing with white balance and exposure, and then move on to colors and sharpness. JPEG reverse order: first pruning and leveling the horizon, then color correction.

For video, post-processing is important, too, and CapCut (a free TikTok editor) can:

  • Stabilize the trembling frames (tool Stabilization).
  • Improve sound with noise reduction and normalization.
  • Add subtitles automatically (Auto-subtitles function).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Is it possible to Redmi? 9T shoot 4K?
Yeah, but only on the main camera (48 However, this mode disables electronic stabilization and the video is less smooth than in the video. 1080p. Also. 4K-video ~400 MB/min, which fills up memory quickly. Most tasks (social media, YouTube) are enough. 1080p@30fps.
Why do photos turn green or purple at night?
This is a white balance error when shooting under street lights (they often have a non-standard color temperature–4000K. Use the Professional Mode and Save in RAW, To correct the color later. AI-Color in camera settings (it amplifies artifacts).
How to make a blurred background (boke) on a selfie camera?
On the front camera of Redmi 9T (8 MP) no hardware blur, but you can simulate the effect software: Open Portrait mode and switch to the front camera. Step back from the phone 30 to 50 cm (the closer, the worse the edges are recognized). Boque's tool allows you to manually adjust the blur zone. For best results, use an external ring lamp to help the camera to separate you from the background more clearly.
What camera settings are reset after the MIUI update?
With major updates MIUI (For example, from 12 to 13 version) reset: Settings RAW (Custom white balance presets, Serial shooting settings (recommended frames return) to avoid losing settings, take screenshots of the camera menu or write down key settings in notes.
How to transfer photos from Redmi 9T computer without loss of quality?
If you're filming in RAW or HEIF, routine email/The messengers will compress files. The best ways: connect the phone to the phone USB Transfer files and copy the folder DCIM. Use the cloud (Google Drive, MEGA) with the compression turned off. RAW-It syncs the original files to the Adobe cloud. Avoid transferring them via Bluetooth or AirDrop, they always compress images.