Xiaomi Panoramic Shooting: Why Are Your Photos Curved?
Have you ever tried to capture a majestic cityscape or an endless sea horizon, but instead of a smooth panorama, you get a distorted image with tears and mismatched seams? Xiaomi equips its smartphones with powerful cameras with panorama mode, but even flagship models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It's not the hardware, 90 percent of the time it's the technique or the settings that are wrong.
In this article, we will discuss all the stages of creating a panorama on Xiaomi: from smartphone preparation to post-processing. You will learn how to avoid typical errors (for example, shifting the horizon due to an incorrect angle of inclination), what settings are set up MIUI It's a quality issue, and why it's sometimes better to use third-party apps instead of the standard camera module, and also a secret technique to capture panoramas in motion (yes, it's possible!).
Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for panoramic photography
Before you press the down button, make sure your Xiaomi is ready to shoot.
- π Battery charge not less than 30% β panoramic mode actively uses the processor and can quickly discharge the smartphone.
- π± Clean the lens of prints and dust β even microparticles distort light and worsen the stitching of frames.
- π Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: in firmware older than 2023, there are bugs with panoramic processing on some models (for example, Poco). F5).
- π Make room β one high-resolution panorama can weigh 20-50 MB.
Pay special attention to the camera settings. Go to the camera settings. β Additionally. β Panorama mode and check out:
- π― Permission: Select the maximum (usually) 10800Γ2400 or 14400Γ3200 flagship).
- π Auto-sewing: turn on if you want the smartphone to glue the frames itself (but for manual processing it is better to turn off).
- π Direction: horizontal or vertical β choose ahead of time, as you can not change in the process.
π‘
If you shoot a panorama with moving objects (people, cars), use the Panorama mode with the AI into MIUI 14+ β It reduces artifacts from movement.
Step-by-step: how to take a panorama on Xiaomi
Now, let's get to the practice. Open the standard Camera app and do the following:
- Hold your smartphone vertically (for horizontal panorama) or horizontally (for vertical). Use both hands!
- Watch the overlay indicator (usually the translucent previous frame). Combine the edges to accuracy 70-80% β Do not aim for a perfect match, otherwise the panorama will turn out to be ragged.
Keep your smartphone perpendicular to the horizon line|
Watch for lighting β avoid direct sunlight into the lens|
Do not change the speed of rotation during the process.|
Use a timer or remote to descent (if any)-->
If the panorama turns out to be a curve, do not rush to remove it. MIUI There is a built-in editor: open a photo in the Gallery β Edit β Panorama and manually adjust the joints. For advanced users, we recommend Google Photos or Adobe Lightroom - they are better at auto-alignment.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users make mistakes when taking panoramas, and here are the most common problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Gaps between staff | Turning or shaking hands too quickly | Use a tripod or a stop. Enable Stabilization in the camera settings. |
| A distorted perspective | Slope of the smartphone forward/backward | Hold your smartphone strictly vertically, check the level in the camera settings |
| Dark or light stripes | Abrupt change of lighting (e.g. shadow from the cloud) | Take pictures in cloudy weather or use manual exposure |
| Blurred edges | Poor lighting or movement of objects | Increase shutter speed manually or shoot in Pro mode |
β οΈ Attention: If you shoot a panorama with moving objects (waves, foliage in the wind), turn off the car-HDR This mode can create uneven exposure between frames.
Another common mistake is to use digital zoom in panorama mode, which leads to loss of detail and increased noise. If you want to zoom in, you better get closer physically or shoot at maximum optical zoom (if you have one, like in the Xiaomi 13 Pro). 3.2x optics).
Secret chips for professional panoramas
Want to take your panoramas to the next level? Here are some advanced techniques:
- π Shooting in RAW: If your model supports you RAW (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra, shoot in this format and then process in Lightroom for better dynamic range.
- π₯ Video panoramas: record slow rotation on video (4K 30fps), Then convert to panorama via Microsoft. ICE or PTGui.
- π Multi-row panoramas: shoot several rows (for example, the sky) + earth), then glue in Hugin for ultra-high resolution.
- π Night Panoramas: Use Night Mode + Manual panorama (requires a tripod and an Open Camera app).
To capture spherical panoramas (360 degrees horizontal and vertical) on Xiaomi, you will need a special application, such as Google Street View or Panorama 360.
- Take a horizontal view at eye level.
- Tilt the smartphone up 45 degrees and repeat.
- Tin the floor down 45 degrees and remove the floor.
- Glue the footage in PTGui or Hugin.
How to capture a panorama in motion?
The best apps for panoramas on Xiaomi
Standard camera module MIUI He doesn't always deal with complex scenes. Let's look at alternatives:
| Annex | Advantages | Deficiencies | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Camera (GCam) | Better processing HDR, fewer artifacts | Requires manual adjustment for each model | Most Xiaomi (except the new ones with HyperOS) |
| Open Camera | Support RAW, manual exposure settings | A complex interface for beginners | All models on Android 8+ |
| Panorama 360 | Automatic gluing of spherical panoramas | Paid version for export in high resolution | Android 9+ |
| Focos | AI perspective correction, adding depth effect | It only works on flagships with LiDAR. | Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra, Mix Fold |
To install Google Camera on Xiaomi, you will need:
- Download a GCam version optimized for your model (see forums) 4PDA or XDA).
- Enable installation from unknown sources in Settings β Annexes β Special access.
- Configure the config file (if required) to work correctly HDR+.
β οΈ Note: On HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the standard GCam may not work due to changes in the system. API Use modified versions with support Camera2API.
Processing and preservation of panoramas
And if you take a panorama, you're only halfway there, and if you do it right, you can turn a mediocre frame into a masterpiece. MIUI gallery:
- βοΈ Pruning: Remove unnecessary edges (usually there are distorted areas on the sides).
- π¨ Color correction: use Auto or manually adjust Contrast and Saturation.
- π Removing distortions: c Edit β Perspective, correct the horizon.
- πΌοΈ Exports: Save in JPEG web-based TIFF printer.
For advanced processing, suitable:
- Adobe Lightroom (free mobile version): correction of exposure by zone, removal of artifacts.
- Snapseed: A Perspective Tool for Line Alignment.
- PTGui (PC): professional gluing panoramas with manual adjustment of control points.
If you are planning to print a panorama, consider:
- π Resolution: At least 300 dpi for high-quality printing.
- π¨ Color Profile: Use sRGB for most printers.
- πΌοΈ Format: TIFF without compression for maximum quality.
π‘
For printing panoramas size 50Γ20 (c) the initial resolution shall be at least 4500Γ1800 The standard panorama mode on Xiaomi gives 10800Γ2400 β That's enough for postersize.
Comparison of panoramas on different Xiaomi models
The quality of panoramas depends heavily on the model of the smartphone. We tested several devices in the same conditions (daylight, tripod, automatic mode):
| Model | Permission of panorama | The quality of crosslinking | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra | 14400Γ3200 | Excellent (minimum artifacts) | Support RAW, Leica-flower profile |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | 10800Γ2400 | Good (problems with moving objects) | 200 MP main camera, but software stitching |
| Poco F5 | 9600Γ2160 | Satisfactory (breaks in fast movement) | No support. HDR panoramic |
| Xiaomi 12 Lite | 8000Γ1800 | Average (severe distortions at the edges) | Weak processor β long processing |
Interesting fact: on Xiaomi 13 Ultra and newer, panoramic mode uses data from all three cameras (main, wide-angle and telephoto) to improve detail, so these models get a much better panorama than on Redmi with one main camera.
If you have a budget model (e.g. Redmi) 10A), Don't worry, you can improve the quality of the panoramas software. Use Open Camera with settings:
Permission: Maximum
Format: DNG (RAW)
Exposition: Manual (-1 EV for bright scenes)
Focus: Infinity