Xiaomi Redmi 4X It is still a popular budget smartphone, despite the release of the 2017 A year. 13-megapixel main camera with aperture f/2.0 and 5-The megapixel front module can deliver decent images, but only with the right settings. Many users do not even realize that the standard camera application has features that can dramatically improve the quality of photos and videos.
In this article, we will analyze not only the basic parameters, but also little-known tricks: from manual settings. ISO Before optimizing low-light shooting, you'll learn how to get around the limitations of stock firmware, what modes actually work on Redmi. 4X, And why it's better to use third-party apps sometimes, and also a table of settings for different scenes and different settings. FAQ problem-solving.
Basic camera settings: where to start
Before diving into the subtleties, make sure you have the latest version of the Camera app installed. on Redmi 4X It can be updated through Google Play regardless of the firmware. Open the app and tap the gear in the upper right corner, which is the entrance to the basic settings.
The first thing to pay attention to:
- 📸 Photo resolution: default is 13 MP (4:3). 9 MP (16:9) is enough for social networks, but it is better to leave the maximum for printing or framing.
- 🎥 Video resolution: Redmi 4X Maintains maximum full support HD (1080p) 30 frames down to the bottom. 720p It only works when there is a lack of space.
- 🔄 Autosave: Turn on the option "Save to memory card" if you have a microSD installed.
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) may not have the camera app save settings after rebooting, in which case use alternative cameras like Open Camera or Google Camera (if you find a working port for Redmi). 4X).
Equally important is the setting of grid lines (Settings). → Grid. Turn on the rule of thirds option, which will help you to build your frames correctly, and if you often shoot documents, activate the alignment lines to avoid distortions.
Shooting modes: which to choose and when
Stock camera app on Xiaomi Redmi 4X It offers 5 basic modes, but they're not all equally useful:
| Regime. | When to use | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Photo Photo | Universal mode for most scenes, suitable for shooting people, landscapes, food. | Auto exposure sometimes overstates brightness, which causes parts to be lost in light areas. |
| Portrait | For photos of people with blurred backgrounds (bokeh effect) only works on the main camera. | On the Redmi. 4X Software blur – the edges of objects may look unnatural. |
| Video | Recording of videos in resolution before 1080p. There's a stabilization option. | Stabilization eats up the edges of the frame (~5-10% In low light, the video is noisy. |
| Panorama | Capturing wide landscapes (mountains, urban views, large companies of people). | It requires a smooth hand movement, and when you shake your hand, you can see the joints between the frames. |
| Hand-held | For experienced users: allows you to manually configure ISO, shutter speed, white balance. | There's no user presets saved. When you switch to another mode, it's reset. |
Important nuance: mode "Portrait" on Redmi 4X It only works in good light, and at dusk or in a dim light room, the camera automatically turns off the blur effect, even if the mode is activated.
There is no separate mode for night shooting in the app, but you can bypass this limitation:
- 🌙 Use manual mode with parameters: ISO: 800-1600 (No more, otherwise there will be a lot of noise: 1/10s - 1/4c (hold your smartphone as still as possible) White balance: Incandescent lamp (for warm light)
- 📱 Install third-party software like Night Camera or Camera FV-5 — They are better at handling noise on budget sensors.
Clean the lens of fingerprints |
Charge the battery at least 50% |
Enable the aircraft mode for stability|
Use a tripod or support |
Shut down. HDR (increases noise in the dark)-->
Fine tuning: ISO, exposure, white balance
Manual Mode: The Most Powerful Weapon to Improve Photos on Redmi 4X, But it requires understanding the basics of photography. Let's go through the key parameters:
ISO It is responsible for the sensor’s light sensitivity:
- 🌞 100-400: Perfect for a sunny day, minimal noise, maximum detail.
- 🌆 400-800: cloudy weather or a room with windows. Light noise, but acceptable.
- 🌃 800-1600: It's twilight or little artificial light. It's noticeable, but it's light.
- 🌑 1600+: It's only in desperate situations. It's grainy.
The shutter speed determines how much light will hit the sensor:
- 🏃 1/1000s - 1/500c: for moving objects (children, animals, sport).
- 👤 1/250s - 1/60c: portraits, static scenes.
- 🌊 1/30s - 1/4c: shooting water (blurring flow), glowing tracks at night.
- ⚠️ 1/15Slower or c: only with a tripod! Hand tremors will ruin the frame.
⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X long-exposure 1/4The camera can spontaneously complete the shooting, and this is due to the limitations of the camera driver. MIUI. To get around the problem, use the Open Camera app with the option “Use an alternative method of long exposure” enabled".
White balance (WB) color-temperature:
- ☀️ Auto: Works well during the day, but often makes mistakes with artificial lighting.
- 💡 Incandescent lamp: for warm light (2700-3500K).
- 🌥️ Cloudy: for cloudy weather or shadows (6000-7000K).
- 🔦 Fluorescent lamp: for office space (4000-5000K).
How to save manual settings between sessions?
HDR When they help and when they spoil the frame
Function HDR (High Dynamic Range on Redmi 4X It works by combining multiple frames with different exposures, and in theory, it should improve detail in shadows and lights, but in practice, there are nuances:
✅ When to include HDR:
- 🌄 Landscapes with bright sky and dark earth (for example, sunset over a forest).
- 🏙️ City scenes with contrasting lighting (sunny side of street vs shadow of buildings).
- 🖼️ Photo with windows in the frame (so as not to get a "spot" instead of a view behind the glass).
❌ When HDR only hurt:
- 👫 Moving objects (people, cars) – you get a “ghost” blur.
- 🌃 Night photography — HDR Increase noise and processing time.
- 🎨 Scenes with saturated flowers (flowers, graffiti) — HDR It can make them fade.
Flash on Redmi 4X — single-diode, with color temperature ~5000K. It's only suitable for lighting objects up to 1.5 meters away. + anti-red eyes" (Settings) → Outbreak. → Red eyes, but remember:
⚠️ Attention: Flash on Redmi 4X It has a fixed power, which is not automatically adjustable depending on the distance to the object, which means that when shooting from close range (less than a few minutes). 0.5 (m) the object will be over-lit and the details lost. 1-1.5 level-light.
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If you need to shoot a document or text in the dark, don't use a flash - it will create glare. Instead, turn on the flashlight and point it at an angle of 45.° It'll evenly light up the surface without glare.
Front camera: the secrets of a good selfie
5-Redmi megapixel frontal 4X diaphragm-high f/2.2 It doesn't pull to the flagship level, but when you set it right, it can give you acceptable selfies:
1. Lighting: Natural light is your best friend. Face the window, but not the direct sunlight (they create hard shadows). Indoors, use two lamps on the sides of your face to provide uniform lighting.
Camera settings:
- 🔘 Enable "Mirror Same" (Settings) → Front camera. → Mirror mode to see yourself as others see you.
- 🌟 Activate Beauty, but reduce the intensity to 30-40% — This way the facial features will remain natural.
- 📏 Use 5 MP (4:3) resolution, which is less noise than 16:9.
3 Pose and angle: Hold your smartphone at eye level or slightly higher. Don't bring the camera closer than 30cm, it will distort your facial features. For the worst effect, turn your head slightly sideways and tilt it against your shoulder.
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Redmi's front camera 4X It has a fixed focus (no autofocus). So if you hold your smartphone too close to your face, part of the frame will be blurred — 40-60 centimeter.
Third-party apps: when they are better than a stock camera
Despite all the settings, Xiaomi’s stock app Camera has limitations, especially on budget models like Redmi. 4X. In some cases, third-party programs give better results:
| Annex | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Google Camera (GCam) | Better processing HDR, night mode (on some ports), more natural colors. | Requires manual installation (requires a working port for Redmi) 4X). Not all functions can work. |
| Open Camera | Support for manual settings, saving in RAW, no limits on exposure. | Less user-friendly interface. No portrait mode. |
| Camera FV-5 | Professional tools (histogram, manual focus, bracketing). | The paid version is for unlocking all the features, difficult for beginners. |
| Footoj | Smart photo processing, automatic perspective correction. | Closed project (not updated since 2020) may not run on new versions of Android. |
If you want to try out Google Camera, consider:
- 🔍 Find ports specifically for Redmi 4X (The general version may not work.
- 📁 Set up. APK-File Manager, previously allowing installation from unknown sources.
- ⚙️ After installation, open the GCam settings and select the config for Redmi. 4X (usually come complete with a port).
⚠️ Note: Some Google Camera ports may cause Redmi processor overheating 4X If the smartphone gets hot, close the app and let it cool. 5-10 Constant overheating reduces battery life.
Photo processing after shooting: programs and life hacks
Even the perfect Redmi camera setup 4X It's not going to produce results like flagship smartphones, but it can be compensated by post-processing:
For basic correction:
- 📱 Snapseed: free Google editor with Selective Correction and Brush tools".
- 🖼️ Lightroom Mobile: professional presets and curves.
- 🎨 VSCO: stylish filters and fine-tuning of the exposure.
To remove noise (relevant for night photos):
- 🌃 Neat Image (desktop version): the best software for noise reduction.
- 📲 Photo Noise Reducer (Android): A simple mobile processing tool.
Life hacks for Redmi 4X:
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If you are shooting text or small details, and the photo turned out to be blurry, try this trick: open the image in Google Photos, click "Edit" → Tools → Sharpness and move the slider to +30.It often saves unfortunate footage.