How to shoot macro on Xiaomi 13: a complete guide from preparation to post-processing

Why Xiaomi 13 is the perfect macrophoto

The flagship smartphone Xiaomi 13 is equipped with one of the best camera systems in its class, but few people know that its potential for macro photography is not revealed from the first frame. Unlike budget models, where macro mode is often reduced to software zoom, it involves hardware capabilities: the 50-megapixel main sensor Sony. IMX800 It's pixel-based binning and an ultra-wide module with autofocus, and it allows you to capture the smallest details, from the structure of a butterfly's wing to the dew droplets on the petals.

Even with this hardware, however, the result depends on understanding the principles of macro photography. Many users get frustrated with getting blurry or dark images, unaware that the problem lies in the wrong distance, lighting or camera settings. In this article, we will analyze all the steps from lens selection to post-processing, so that your macro photos on Xiaomi 13 do not give way to mirrorless camera images.

Particular attention will be paid to the hidden function of "Supermacro" in firmware MIUI 14+, It's only activated when you manually adjust the focal length, and it's a mode that allows you to shoot up to 2 cm without losing sharpness -- but it's not even mentioned in the official documentation.

Choosing a lens: which module Xiaomi 13 is better for macro

Xiaomi 13 has three cameras, but not all of them are equally efficient for macro photography.

• 🔍 Core module 50 MPP (f/1.8, 24 mm): suitable for "pseudomacro" from a distance 10–15 Uses a crop sensor, so the detail is worse than that of the ultra-wide, but works better in low light conditions.
• 🌿 Ultra-wide module 12 MPP (f/2.2, 15 mm: best choice for a real macro, with autofocus and short focal length, allows you to shoot with a camera. 2–5 So, you can see, you can keep sharp.
• 📏 Telephoto. 10 MPP (f/2.0, 75 mm: no use for macros. Its minimum focusing distance — 30 See, too far to detail small objects.

For most scenarios, the ultra-wide module is optimal, but it needs to be set up correctly. By default, the camera automatically switches to it when approached, but it is better to do it manually:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. 0.6x in the upper panel to activate the ultra-wide.
3. Hold the phone to the object 3-5 cm - a yellow square of autofocus should appear.

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If autofocus doesn't work, try to push your phone slightly and zoom back in again, and sometimes the distance sensor sticks at close ranges.

Importantly, when you shoot from less than 3 cm, you have the Supermacro mode that we mentioned in the introduction, which turns off autofocus and fixes the focal length, so you have to move the phone to sharpness, rather than press the screen.

Camera settings for the perfect macro: what to turn off and what to turn on

The standard settings of the Xiaomi 13 camera are optimized for universal shooting, but the macro requires manual adjustment.

To change these settings:

1. Launch the camera. → Swipe up to open the panels.
2. Press the gear (Settings) → Permission → Choose 50 MP.
3. Back to the main menu → More. → Format → activate RAW.
4. Turn it off. HDR in quick settings (the icon in the top panel).

Critical point: when shooting in format RAW files will be taken ~50MB each. Make sure there's enough room on your phone, or use a memory card. UFS 3.1 to be recorded.

⚠️ Warning: If you're shooting insects or other moving objects, turn off shutter sound in the camera settings.

Lighting: How to avoid shadows and relights in macro

One of the biggest obstacles in macro photography is uneven lighting, and the Xiaomi 13 flash built-in is useless here, creating hard shadows and glare. Instead, use:

• 💡 Natural light: shoot near the window in cloudy weather or in the shade. Direct sun gives too contrasting shadows.
• 🔦 External sources: ring lamp or LED flashlight with diffuser (can be made of paper). Bring the source at an angle of 45.° object-bound.
• 📱 Screen of another smartphone: open a white screen on it (for example, in notes) and highlight the object from below.
• 🌥️ Reflectors: Use a sheet of white paper or foil to soften shadows on the opposite side.

To control the exposure manually:

1. Switch to Professional Mode (swipe sideways in the camera app).
2. Tap the screen to set the exposure measurement point.
3. Adjust the slider EV (exposure correction) in the range +0.3...+1.0 for lightening shadows.
4. Install. ISO on 100–400 shortened 1/100c to avoid lubrication.

If shooting indoors, avoid mixing color temperatures (such as incandescent lamps). + This will cause an uncorrected color shift. Use sources with the same temperature (~5000K).

Shooting Techniques: How to Hold Your Phone and Focus

Even with perfect settings, hand tremors can ruin a macro shot.

• 🤳 Pose "shooter": rest your elbows in the body or knees, hold the phone with both hands, thumbs on top to control the screen.
• 📐 Use improvised supports: lean against the wall, put your phone on a stack of books or a special mini-station.
• 🎯 Grid focus: Turn on the grid in the camera settings and place the object in the center – there is minimal distortion.
• 🔄 Serial shooting + Select the best shot: take 5-10 pictures in a row, then choose the sharpest one.

For precise focusing:

1. Activate Manual Focus in Professional Mode (Icon) MF).
2. In small movements, zoom in/remove the phone, watching the sharpness on the screen.
3. For objects less than 1 cm thick (like a web), use the swing method: smoothly move the phone back and forth, taking pictures at every millimeter.

Set the minimum ISO (100)

Shut down. HDR stabilizing

Activate the grid and horizon level

Charge the phone. >50% (macro eats the battery)

Clean the lens of fingerprints (use microfiber)

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If an object is moving (such as a bee on a flower), use pre-focusing:

1. Look at a static object at the same distance (for example, a leaf next to you).
2. Set the focus with a long tap on the screen (the inscription will appear). AF Lock).
3. Smoothly move the frame to the moving object and take a picture.

⚠️ Warning: When shooting from less than 2 cm, the Xiaomi 13 may overheat. If a temperature warning appears on the screen, take a break for 2-3 minutes.

Post-processing: how to turn a good picture into a masterpiece

Raw macro shots from Xiaomi 13 often require some reworking, here is the minimum set of corrections (use Lightroom Mobile or Snapseed):

• 🎨 Crop and alignment: trim the extra edges, level the horizon. For macro, let's say a strong crop (up to 30%), because the initial resolution is high.
• 🔍 Sharpness and microcontrast: Increase sharpness by 20–30% and microcontrast by 10–15% to emphasize textures.
• 🌈 Color correction: Reduce saturation by 5–10%, but increase the brightness of individual colors (e.g. green for leaves).
• 🖼️ Noise Removal: In Lightroom, use Denoise at 15-20 for the RAW-file.

For complex objects (such as metal surfaces with glare), apply local correction:

1. In Snapseed, select the Brush tool.
2. Set the exposure to -0.3 And walk through the red-lighted areas.
3. For shadows, use a brush with exposure +0.2 and contrast +10.

Example of pre- and post-treatment:

Source (RAW): noise in the shadows, low contrast




After processing: clear boundaries, balanced colors, emphasis on texture

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Take it down. RAW And work on your PC in Lightroom Classic — there are more tools for working with details than in mobile applications.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced photographers face typical macro problems with Xiaomi 13, and here’s how to prevent them:

Another common problem is the soap effect, where the image looks too smooth, which is due to aggressive noise cancellation in the body. JPEG. Solution: Always take off in RAW and hand-craft it.

If you're taking water or glass, avoid direct lighting in the front, which creates glare.

1. Use a polarizing filter (you can buy on AliExpress for a free phone). ~300 ₽).
2. Or shoot at a 30-45 angle.° surface.

Additional accessories for advanced macro photography

While the Xiaomi 13 is capable of a lot out of the box, a few inexpensive accessories will help take quality to the next level:

• 📸 Moment macro lens (from ~5 000 ₽): fastened to ultra-wide and increases the scale by 2-3 times without loss of quality.
• 🔗 Flexible tripod Joby GorillaPod (from the ~2 500 ₽): It allows you to lock the phone at any angle.
• 💡 Ring lamp with controlled temperature (from ~1 500 ₽): Remove shadows when shooting small objects.
• 🔍 A magnifying glass for a smartphone (from ~500 ₽): Budget alternative to macro lens, but requires manual focusing.
• 📱 Remote descent remote (from) ~300 ₽): eliminates shaking when pressed on the screen.

To take insects in the field, you can use a mini softbox (you can make it out of white fabric and wire) to scatter light without scaring the object.

If your budget is tight, start with a homemade diffuser:

1. Take a plastic box from CD-disk.
2. Stick the inside of it with white paper.
3. Cut through the flashlight hole and direct light to the object.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions