How to set up the camera on Xiaomi: from basic parameters to pro modes

Xiaomi’s smartphone cameras have long ceased to be just an “addition” – they have become one of the key arguments when choosing a device.+ Xiaomi 14 Ultra won't show its potential without the right settings, and the problem is that most users are limited to automatic mode, unaware that the arsenal is not yet fully functional. MIUI Camera has dozens of hidden features, from manual focusing to professional color correction.

This article is not about abstract “tips on photography”, but about specific settings that work specifically on Xiaomi smartphones.

• 🔍 How to Enable Hidden Shooting Modes (including Pro Mode and Long Exposure) That Are Not in the Main Menu
• ⚙️ Optimal parameters for day/night photos, portraits and videos (with tables of values)
• 📱 Step-by-step instructions for different models - from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi and POCO
• ⚠️ Common Mistakes That Ruin Your Photos (And How to Avoid Them Without Buying a New Phone)

All recommendations tested on current versions MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS firmware (2026 If your smartphone is older than yours 2020 Some features may not be available – check the list of supported models at the end of the article.

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

Even if you've never taken a smartphone photo, these 5 settings are the first thing you should set up. They affect the quality of everything from selfies to landscapes.

Open the Camera app and follow the following steps:

• 📸 Photo resolution: Go to Settings → Photo resolution and select a maximum (e.g. 50 MP or 200 MP, depending on the model). On a budget Redmi, only 12 MP can be available - this is normal, do not lower below.
• 🎥 Video resolution: In Settings → Set video resolution. 4K@30fps (for stabilization; or 1080p@60fps (For dynamic scenes, on models with a Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 2+ (for example, Xiaomi 13T Pro) available 8K — without stabilization.
• 🔄 Select 9:16 for social networks (vertical Stories), 4:3 for print, 16:9 for universal use.
• 🌙 Night mode: Turn on the auto-night mode option in the settings. On flagships (Xiaomi 14, 13 Ultra) it activates automatically in low light, on budget models (Redmi 12) it must be turned on manually.
• 📁 Saving to memory card: If you have a microSD installed, go to Settings → So, save it, and you can choose an external drive, which saves space in the internal memory.

Maximum resolution of the photo is selected

Video permission set 4K or 1080p@60fps

Auto-night mode activated

The ratio of sides to the tasks

The save place is transferred to the memory card (if any)

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⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi Note 12 Pro) when choosing the maximum resolution of the photo may disappear HDR. In this case, leave 12 MP with HDR — The quality will be higher than 50 MP without HDR.

2. Hidden shooting modes: how to turn Pro Mode, Long Exposure and others

MIUI It hides some of the functions of the camera under the hood, and you can activate them through the camera lab or through special gestures.

Ways to Incorporate Hidden Modes:

🔹 How to get back to old modes? If your favorite feature is missing after the update (for example, Magic Clone on Xiaomi). 12S Ultra, try it:

1. Open Settings → Additionally. → Camera lab.
2. Find the option to Restore old modes (if any).
3. Reboot the phone.

Pro Mode (manual settings)

Long Exposure (Long Exposure)

Super Moon (Moon mode)

Document Mode (document scan)

I have never used hidden regimes.

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3. Optimal settings for different scenes: day, night, portraits

There's no universal setting, and what's good for landscapes will ruin the portrait, and here's a proven setting for popular scenarios.

🌞 Daytime Photo (Landscapes, Architecture)

• 📸 Mode: Photo or Pro (if you need to manage the exposure)
• 🔘 HDR: Auto or on.
• 📏 Ratio: 4:3 (maximum field of view)
• ⚡ Exposition: Reduce by -0.3 or -0.7, skylight
• 🎯 Focus: Touch the screen in the area you want to sharpen

🌙 Night photography (city, stars)

• 📸 Mode: Night (on flagships) or Pro with a shutter speed of 2-8 seconds
• 🔄 Stabilization: Use a tripod or support (even on the Xiaomi 13 Pro, manual shutter speed shooting is available). >1c gives you lubrication)
• 🌡️ ISO: No more than 3200 (otherwise noise) Redmi's best bet is 1600.
• 📐 Format: RAW (If you plan to process in Lightroom)

Pro Mode → Exposure: 20c → ISO: 3200 → Focus: Infinity (∞) → White balance: 4000K

The result is saved in RAW and process in Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile.

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👤 Portraits (people, animals)

• 📸 Portrait (not Photo!) – it activates the second module to blur the background
• 🔄 Bokeh effect: Set up the intensity of the blur (F1.4–F16) gallery-film
• 💡 Facial lighting: Turn on the filling light (icon) 💡 top-down)
• 👁️ Focus on the eyes: Touch the model's eye on the screen - the camera will track them

⚠️ Note: On budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO M5) Portrait mode works only on the main camera. For selfies, the background blur will be programmatic (quality is worse).

4. Video setup: 4K, stabilisation, microphone

Video on Xiaomi often suffers from two problems: picture jitters and bad sound, which can be fixed with settings — without buying gadgets.

The main parameters for the video:

• 🎬 Permission: 4K@30fps — for static scenes (interviews, landscapes) 1080p@60fps — for dynamics (sports, vlogs) 720p@960fps — slow motion (only on flagships)
• 🌀 Stabilization: Enable Super Stabilization in the video settings. on Xiaomi 13T It works even without a gyroscope.
• 🎤 Microphone: For better sound: Turn off Noise Reduction (it cuts high frequencies) Use an external microphone via Type-C (supported on all models with Snapdragon) 8xx) Turn on the sound from the screen if you are shooting gameplay
• 🔋 Overheating: During filming 4K It can overheat for 15 minutes. POCO F5 redmi K60 Limitation: 20 minutes of continuous recording.

📌 Stabilization test: On Xiaomi 12S We compared the Ultra Super Stabilization to the normal running mode, and the result was that the tremors were reduced by 70 percent, but the viewing angle was narrowed to the normal running mode. ~10% If a wide frame is important (for example, for travel), it is better to use a tripod.

5. Xiaomi camera problems and how to fix them

Even new smartphones have bugs: blurry photos, green, autofocus doesn't work, and software failures are more often than not the fault.

Top.-5 problem-solving:

⚠️ Warning: If the camera fails to connect to the camera after the phone falls, it may indicate that the plume has been damaged, in which case only the service center will help. Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself – on Xiaomi, the cameras are often glued to the case, and if you do not open the device carefully, you can damage the module.

6. Additional chips: GCam, RAW, lens

If Xiaomi’s standard camera doesn’t suit you, there are ways to squeeze more out of it:

• 📷 Google Camera: Pixel’s camera port gives better processing HDR You can download the latest versions for your model on the forum. 4PDA or XDA Developers.
• 🖼️ Shooting in RAW: In Pro mode, select the format RAW or RAW+JPEG. The files will weigh. ~20–50 MB, but will give more processing options.
• 🔍 External lenses: On Xiaomi with Type-C you can connect: Wide-angle (for example, Xiaomi Lens) 0.6x) Macro (increase to 15x) Telephoto (for wildlife) Support is available on all models with Snapdragon 7xx/8xx Dimensity 9000+.
• 🎥 External microphones: For professional sound, connect the microphone via Type-C (e.g, BOYA BY-M1 On Xiaomi 13 Ultra and newer supported 32-bit float audio (without clipping).

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🔹 How to install GCam:

1. Download. APK for your model (for example, GCam_8.1.101_Xiaomi_13_Ultra.apk).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install APK and open the app.
4. In GCam settings, select a config for your phone (e.g, Xiaomi_13_Pro_V3.xml).

7. Xiaomi Camera Comparison: Which Models Are Better at Shooting

Not all Xiaomi cameras are the same. even in the same lineup (Redmi Note 12 vs Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The difference can be drastic. Below is the rating for quality of shooting (based on DxOMark tests and our tests).

💡 If you want a camera, take models with co-developed Leica (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, 13 Pro, 14 Ultra.They have unique color profiles (Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant) that are not on Redmi or POCO.

8. Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras