Taking a video or taking a photo on the go is a challenge that every smartphone owner faces, but often the result is disappointing due to severe shaking. Trembling hands, uneven gait or vibration of transport turn a potentially masterpiece frame into a blurry stain that ripples in the eyes. Owners of Xiaomi devices, even flagship models, often wonder how to fix this flaw, because the software processing sometimes can not cope on its own.
Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have provided many tools to combat this phenomenon, ranging from hardware solutions to subtle adjustments in software. Modern AI algorithms can work wonders by leveling the horizon and smoothing jerks in real time. However, to get a really smooth picture, the user needs to know where to look for these settings and how to use them correctly in various shooting scenarios.
In this article, we’ll break down all the available image stabilization techniques on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. You’ll learn the difference between electronic and optical stabilization, learn how to activate hidden features, and understand when it’s best to use third-party apps. Proper camera setup will allow you to create professional-grade content without buying expensive hardware.
Differences between optical and electronic stabilization
Before you get into the settings, it is important to understand the physical nature of stabilization, because it directly depends on the result. Xiaomi smartphones can use two main types of compensation for shaking: optical (OIS) and electronic (EIS). Optical stabilization is the physical displacement of the lenses of the lens or matrix using miniature magnets and gyroscopes, which allows you to extinguish the vibrations even before the moment of fixation of the frame.
Electronic stabilization is software-based and works by framing images, and the camera captures a picture with a margin around the edges, and the Smartphone processor constantly shifts the visible area in the opposite direction from the shaking, creating the illusion of smoothness. This method often leads to what is called the “jelly effect” or a strong crop (cutting) of the frame, but it is available even on budget models without OIS.
Modern Xiaomi flagships like the Mi or Xiaomi series often use a hybrid system that combines both methods for maximum effect. Understanding what type of stabilization is available in your model will help you correctly estimate expectations. If your device’s characteristics are not declared OIS, then you will have to rely solely on software algorithms and third-party solutions.
⚠️ Attention: Electronic stabilization (EIS) It always leads to increased digital zoom and loss of some image at the edges of the frame. Don't be afraid if, after the video mode is turned on, it seems that the camera is "approaching" the picture - this is the normal behavior of the system.
It's also worth noting that the performance of these systems is directly dependent on the performance of the processor. On older models, turning on maximum stabilization can cause the FPS to drop or the device to overheat during long shooting, so always check how your gadget behaves in extreme conditions.
Basic stabilization setting in a standard application
The easiest way to improve the quality of shooting is to properly configure the standard Camera app, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi devices. The interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same. First, you need to open the application and switch to video shooting mode, since the main stabilization settings are located there.
At the top of the screen or in the settings menu (three-strip icon), you should find the item responsible for stabilization. In some versions of the firmware it is called "Stabilization", in others it is called "Anti-Tremblance" or indicated by the icon with the crossed out hand. Activation of this feature triggers EIS algorithms that begin to smooth out the jerks in real time.
Also, you should pay attention to resolution and frame rate. Often maximum stabilization is only available at certain recording parameters, such as 1080p and 30 or 60 frames per second. When you try to turn on 4K or 8K, the system can automatically disable electronic stabilization due to a lack of computing resources.
To access the advanced settings, click three dots in the corner of the screen and select Settings. You can find additional options like Handheld Stabilization or Video Improvement, which can slightly increase the processing time of the video after shooting, but the result is worth it.
☑️ Checking camera settings
Use of the Stedicam mode and special functions
Xiaomi's camera arsenal includes special modes designed specifically for motion shooting that users often ignore. One of the most powerful tools is the Stedicam mode, which is available in the "More" or "Modes" menu, which is designed to maximize shaking smoothness, sacrificing part of the frame for smoothness.
When you activate Stedicam, the phone uses all the sensors available, including the accelerometer and gyroscope, to predict movement, which compensates for even sudden steps or running, making the picture look like a professional stabilizer, but it is worth remembering that this mode can severely crop the image and does not always work correctly when moving very quickly.
Also worth mentioning is the Long Shutter mode for video, which is sometimes found in updated versions of MIUI. It allows you to shoot lighter and smoother videos in low light conditions, where conventional stabilization can give jerks due to lubrication of frames. Using a tripod in combination with this mode gives the best results for static scenes.
⚠️ Note: The Stedicam mode may not work or be unavailable when selecting the maximum resolution. 4K/8K. If you are critically important to maximum smoothness, it is better to reduce the quality to Full. HD (1080p).
Some users also note the effectiveness of Slow-mo to produce a smooth picture, even if you speed up the video later in editing. High frame rates (120 or 240 FPS) itself makes movement smoother, and built-in stabilization algorithms in this mode work more aggressively.
Third-party applications for professional photography
If you don’t have the built-in capabilities of Xiaomi’s camera, third-party apps come to the rescue, giving you full control over your shooting options. The leader in this field is Google Camera (GCam), whose ports are available for almost all Xiaomi models. Google’s video processing algorithms often outperform stock ones, providing better detail and more natural stabilization.
Another powerful tool is the Open Camera app, which allows you to manually adjust stabilization settings if your phone drivers support it. In the Open Camera settings, you can find the Video Settings section, where you can access the Video Stabilization option. Enabling this option hands control stabilization directly to the device's hardware capabilities, bypassing the limitations of the standard interface.
For those planning a serious edit, Filmic Pro (or its equivalent) will be a great choice, allowing you to record videos with minimal compression and includes custom stabilization algorithms that can be fine-tuned to a specific scene, especially for bloggers who shoot reviews on the go.