How to set up the camera Xiaomi Redmi 3: the secrets of professional shots

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is a legendary budget smartphone that is still used by thousands of users. Despite modest by modern standards, the main camera 13 MP, front 5 MP, when properly set up, it is able to take quality pictures. The problem is that 90% of owners are not even aware of the hidden capabilities of the camera of this device.

In this article, we’ll look at not only basic parameters, but also little-known tricks, from manually setting ISO to using alternative camera firmware. You’ll learn how to get around the limitations of standard software, what shooting modes really work on Redmi 3, and why your photos are blurry (spoiler: it’s not always the device’s fault!).

1. Preparation for configuration: checking the version of the software and the state of the camera

Before you get into the settings, make sure your Redmi 3 is optimized. Start by checking the MIUI version – it depends on the availability of some features. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have a version older than MIUI 9, we recommend upgrading to at least MIUI 10 (the last stable one for this model).

The next step is to diagnose the camera, run a standard app and take test shots in different conditions.

• 🌞 In bright light (daylight) – check the detailing and color rendering.
• 🌙 In the dark – assess the noise level and the operation of the flash.
• 📱 Macrograph (at a distance) 10-15 See how the camera focuses on the small details.

Critical: if you see vertical stripes or edge blurs in the test photos, it's a sign of hardware damage to the matrix, and then no adjustments will help, you'll need repairs.

Also clean the lens of dust and fingerprints. Use a soft wiltless wipe (suitable for glasses) and do not use alcohol - it can damage the protective coating of the lens. If the lens has scratches, consider replacing the camera module (cost ~ 1500-2000 rubles in service centers).

2. Basic camera settings: what can be changed without root rights

The standard camera app on Redmi 3 hides some of the parameters behind non-obvious gestures.

1. Photo/video resolution: Go to the camera settings (cog in the upper right corner) and select the maximum resolution of 13 MP (4160×3120) for photos and 1080p for videos.

In the same settings menu, pay attention to:

• 🔄 Automobile-HDR: Turn on to improve dynamic range, but remember that HDR Increases the shooting time and file size.
• 📐 Reticle: Activate the Rule of Thirds option for a more balanced composition.
• 🎯 Focus: Select Continuous AF to capture moving objects.

Insert the grid "Rule of thirds" |

Set the resolution of 13 MP for photo |

Select 1080p for video |

Activate auto-HDR for daytime images |

Turn off the shutter sound (if it interferes with the sound)-->

⚠️ Warning: If the camera starts to lag or gives an error after changing the resolution, restart the phone. This is due to limited Redmi 3 resources (only 2 GB of RAM). When shooting at 13 MP, avoid multitasking - close all background applications.

Manual shooting modes: how to bypass automatic optimization

The standard MIUI Camera algorithm often overexposes images or miscalculates white balance, and fortunately, even without root rights, you can manually control key parameters:

Open the camera app and swipe left to switch to Manual mode, where you can set the following settings:

• 📷 Excerpt: From 1/1000down 2C. Use the values for night photography 1/10s — 1/4c, but be sure to use a tripod or stable surface.
• 🌡️ White Balance: Experiment with presets ("Incandescent Lamp", "Cloud") instead of automatic mode.
• 📊 ISO: The optimal range for the Redmi 3 is 100-800, and values above 1600 will make a lot of noise.
• 🎯 Focus: Manually adjust focal length (useful for macro photography).

Example of settings for different scenarios:

Portrait on the street (sunshine):


- Excerpt: 1/500c




- ISO: 100




- White balance: "Sunny."




- Focus: Auto





Nightscape:




- Exposure: 1/2s




- ISO: 400




- White balance: "Filament lamp"




- Focus: Infinity (∞)

⚠️ Attention: When shooting manually with long exposure (>1/10(c) Redmi 3 You can overheat. You can watch the temperature of the case -- if the phone gets hot, take a break. 5-10 minute.

4. Alternative camera apps: when the standard fails

If you are not happy with the quality of the images in the native app, consider third-party solutions.

1. Open Camera (free, Google Play): Support for manual settings (including RAW on some firmware); Night mode with a long shutter speed of up to 10 seconds; Support for external microphones for video.
2. Footage (paid, ~300 rubles): Advanced color correction in real time. Support for Log profile for post-processing. Video stabilization (software).

GCam Port

• Google Pixel processing algorithms (best HDR+)
• Night Sight (also works on older chips)
• Requires manual installation (instruction below).

⚠️ Warning: Some GCam builds may cause the Redmi 3 processor to overheat due to high load.Watch the temperature and don't shoot video for more than 5 minutes in a row.

1. Clear the app cache.

2. Install another version (e.g. from Urnyx05).

3. Roll back the firmware to MIUI 9 (newer versions may have compatibility issues).-->

5. Video optimization: stabilization, sound and resolution

Redmi 3 video is a weakness, and the main problems are the tremors, the bad autofocus, the noisy microphone, and here's how to minimize them.

Stabilization:

• 🎥 Use the regimen. 1080p 30fps — upon 60fps Trembling is increased due to cropping.
• 🤳 Hold the phone with both hands, elbows in the body.
• 📱 Install applications like Microsoft Hyperlapse for post-shoot stabilization software.

Sound:

• 🎤 In the camera settings, turn off “Sound Improvement” – this algorithm adds noise.
• 📻 For important recordings, use an external microphone (connects via a OTG-adapter).
• 🔇 In windy weather, cover the microphone (bottom of the phone) with your hand.

Focus:

• 🎯 Press the screen and hold your finger for 2 seconds before shooting to block the focus.
• 🔄 If the object is moving, turn on "Continuous Autofocus" in the settings.

💡

For videos longer than 5 minutes, always use an external power source (Power Bank). Redmi 3 has a small battery (4100 mAh), and shooting at 1080p discharges it in 1.5-2 hours.

6 Post-processing: How to Save Bad Photos

Even with perfect camera settings, Redmi 3 sometimes produces dim or noisy photos, and post-processing will help fix this.

Mobile applications:

• 📱 Snapseed (Google): Selective correction tool for shadow lightening "HDR Scape to improve dynamic range.
• 🎨 Lightroom Mobile (Adobe): Curves tone for fine-tuning contrast. Noise removal (Details tab").
• 🔍 Remini (for old photos): AI resolution increase (useful for 5MP photos).

PC solutions:

• 🖥️ GIMP (Free of charge: To remove noise: 1. Open photo. 2. Filters → Noise. → Noise reduction (NL). 3.Tune the radius (5-10) and force (0.3-0.5).
• 📊 Darktable (Lightroom analog): Local contrast module for detail processing. Demasking to restore over-lit areas.