How to set up a camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: a complete guide with the secrets of professionals

Introduction: Why the Redmi Note 8 camera requires fine tuning

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, released in 2019, is still a popular choice thanks to its balanced performance and quadruple camera with a main module at 48 MP. However, many users are faced with the fact that the camera produces mediocre results out of the box – photos are overlit, noisy in low light or with inaccurate color reproduction.

The fact is that the manufacturer adjusts the image processing algorithms for the “average” user, sacrificing detail for the sake of shooting speed and automatic correction. But the Redmi Note 8 based on the Snapdragon 665 processor and the Sony IMX586 camera is capable of more – with the right settings, it can compete with the flagships of 2020-2021. In this guide, we will analyze unique customization techniques that Xiaomi does not advertise in official instructions, including hidden MIUI Camera parameters and third-party tools for advanced users.

Basic camera settings: what to change first

Before you dive into manual modes, optimize the basic parameters that affect 90% of your shots in automatic mode. Go to the Camera app and tap the gear icon (⚙️) In the upper right corner, there's a key option:

• 📸 Photo resolution: Select 48 MP (instead of the standard 12 MP) for maximum detail. ~10–15 MB.
• 🌓 Night mode: activate the Auto option – the camera will automatically switch to night shooting in low light.
• 🔄 Save settings: enable the camera to remember the last mode used (e.g. Portrait or Professional).
• 📱 Side ratio: for social networks choose 4:3, for storis - 16:9.

Pay special attention to the section AI-The artificial intelligence algorithms in Redmi Note 8 often overdo it with saturation and contrast, making the sky unnaturally blue and faces overly smooth. AI-scene recognition AI-beauty, if you're looking for natural colors. For comparison, here's a table of examples of how to do this. AI influences the end result.

⚠️ Attention: If you turn off AI-The camera will stop automatically switching to Portrait mode when detecting faces, and you can manually activate it by swiping left in the camera interface.

Manual settings: how to squeeze the maximum from the 48-MP module

Going to Pro Mode (or Pro Mode) gives you access to manually adjust exposure, white balance and focus. This is especially useful in difficult lighting conditions, where Redmi Note 8 automation often fails. To activate the mode, swipe down the camera screen or tap the words More → Professional.

Key parameters that should be adjusted manually:

• 🔆 Extract: Set the value for night photography 1/4s–1(use a tripod!) Daytime is enough. 1/500s–1/1000s.
• 📏 ISO: Keep it within 100-400 for minimal noise. ISO 800+ will be grainy.
• 🎯 Focus: manually adjust sharpness if autofocus is floating. For macro photography, use 0.1-0.3.
• 🌡️ White balance: choose for warm light (incandescent lamps) 3200K, day-time — 5500K.

Experienced photographers recommend using the “solar sixteen” rule for daytime photography: set the shutter speed of 1/ISO in bright light (for example, at ISO 200 – shutter speed of 1/200c). This will help to avoid overlighting. Use a histogram to check the exposure (includes in the camera settings → Show histogram).

Shut down. AI-scene-recognition|Permits to be established 48 MPP|Activate conservation RAW (Pro Mode)|Use the shutter speed. 1/500daylight|Check the histogram before shooting-->

⚠️ Note: When shooting in format RAW (Available in Pro Mode, files will weigh ~50MB, but you'll have full control of the post-processing. JPEG limited by Xiaomi compression algorithms.

Secret chips MIUI Camera: what is hidden from users

Xiaomi’s proprietary Camera app contains a few hidden features that are not documented in the official guides, and here are the most useful ones:

1. Double tap: Quickly switches the camera between the main module and the ultra-wide angle (120°) and works even in video mode.
2. The gesture “clamp and pull up”: in preview mode allows you to increase the exposure without going to Pro Mode.
3. Voice commands: Say "Cheeze" or "Take a photo" (English - "Cheese") to take a picture without pressing the screen.
4. Hidden mode "Document": swipe left twice in the main interface - a mode will appear for scanning text with automatic perspective correction.

Another little-known option is to set up a watermark. Go to Camera Settings → Watermark and add your text or logo. This is useful for posting on social media to protect authorship. You can also disable the automatically-added Shot on Redmi Note 8 tag, which spoils the composition of the images.

For experimentation enthusiasts, there is an undocumented command to enable the camera debugging mode. Open the Phone app, type ##6484## and select Camera Test. Here you can test each camera module separately, including the ToF sensor (used for portrait mode). Careful: don't change the settings unless you understand their meaning!

Video Customization: 4K, Stabilization and Sound

Redmi Note 8 supports video shooting in 4K@30fps and Full HD@60fps, but the default is 1080p@30fps with strong compression. To improve quality, go to the video settings and select:

• 🎥 Permission: 4K (3840×2160) for maximum detail or FHD 60fps smooth-video.
• 🔄 Stabilization: turn on EIS (Electronic) for hand-picking. For static scenes, turn it off, it will reduce the cropping.
• 🎤 Microphone: Activate Noise Reduction if you shoot in noisy places (street, concert).
• 📱 Relationship of parties: 16:9 YouTube, 9:16 for TikTok/Reels.

The main problem with the Redmi Note 8 video is overheating during long-term shooting in 4K. If the phone heats up above 45°C, the camera will automatically lower the resolution to 1080p.

1. Take off your case before shooting.
2. Use the plane mode if you do not need mobile internet.
3. Limit 4K video sessions to 10-15 minutes with breaks.

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For better sound when shooting video, connect an external microphone through a 3.5 mm connector. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 supports microphones with impedance up to 32 ohms without additional adapters.

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in 4K Zuming is disabled, which is a limitation of the Snapdragon 665 hardware platform. HD.

Post-processing: how to fix photos directly on the phone

Even with perfect camera settings, you sometimes need to refine your images. MIUI has a powerful editor built in that can:

• 🎨 Perspective correction: the Fix tool will help straighten curved lines (useful for architectural photos).
• 🌈 Selective color correction: click Edit → Color and select the object in the photo, the color of which you want to change.
• 🔍 Removal of objects: Retouch tool allows you to remove small defects (dust, wires) from the background.
• 📏 Cutting with preservation of proportions: formats for all social networks are supported (1:1, 4:5, 16:9).

For advanced processing, install the Snapseed app (free on Google Play). RAW-And the main tip is, don't overdo it with saturation, it's the first sign of amateur processing. Professionals recommend that you increase saturation by no more than a few points. +15% of the reference value.

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Shoot in RAW + JPEG at the same time (in Pro Mode) to have a backup. RAW gives freedom to process, and JPEG comes in handy for quick publication.

If you need to quickly improve a series of photos (for example, from vacation), use the feature AI-gallery-touch MIUI. The algorithm will automatically adjust exposure, contrast and sharpness for all the images you select: AI Often overstates the saturation of the green and blue channels, so after batch processing, check the result manually.

Third-party apps: when a standard camera isn't enough

Despite the flexible settings of the standard camera, some scenarios require specialized software.-3 Apps that will expand the capabilities of Redmi Note 8:

The most popular solution among Redmi Note 8 owners is the GCam (a port from Google Pixel), which uses image processing algorithms from Google that surpass Xiaomi's standard solutions in terms of detail and color reproduction.

1. Download. APK-File from a verified source (we recommend a version of the BSG or Urnyx05).
2. Install by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Import. XML-Config for Redmi Note 8 (see the forum) 4PDA).
4. In GCam settings, disable Sabre (can call artifacts) and activate HDR+ Enhanced.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of GCam are in conflict with MIUI If the standard camera stops working after installation, clear the Camera app cache in the phone settings.

Footage is better for video, allowing you to manually adjust the bitrate (up to 50 Mbps in 4K), color profile (Flat for color correction), and even record sound in WAV format from an external microphone. Minus is a paid application, but there is a 7-day trial.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you set up the camera correctly, Redmi Note 8 users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 📸 Blurred photos in low light: increase the value ISO before 800–1600 In Pro Mode or use night mode with shutter speed 1/2s.
• 🔴 Overheating when shooting video: lower the resolution to 1080p or use an external battery for power (reduces battery load).
• 🟣 The purple spots in the photo: these are artifacts from the wide-angle module. Try to clean the lens or turn off distortion correction in the settings.
• 🔄 Autofocus doesn’t work: Restart your phone or reset your camera settings to factory settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Drop it).

If the camera has stopped running completely, check:

1. Does the case block the lens (even partial overlap can cause an error).
2. Update your MIUI firmware to the latest version (old versions had bugs with camera drivers).
3. Launch your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button → “Reboot Safe Mode”). If the camera is running, the problem is in the third-party app.

In extreme cases, reset the camera settings through the engineering menu:

Enter the phone app: ##6484## → Camera Test → Reset Camera

FAQ: Answers to popular questions