How to make photos on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus clear: from camera settings to post-processing

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed Vince) is still a popular budget smartphone, despite its release in 2017, with its 12-megapixel main camera with f/2.2 aperture and 5-megapixel front module capable of delivering acceptable shots with the right settings, but many users face challenges: blurry at dusk, noise on photos and insufficient detail.

We’ll look at both software settings (including hidden MIUI features) and hardware tricks (like holding your phone correctly), and the best apps for shooting and post-processing. We’ll focus on the unique feature of the Redmi 5 Plus, which supports manual Pro Mode mode with the ability to save photos in RAW format, which is rare in budget models from 2017 to 2018.

1. Optimal settings of the standard MIUI camera

The stock camera app on Redmi 5 Plus hides a number of useful features that are disabled by default.

• 📸 Photo resolution: go to Camera Settings → Photo resolution and select 12 MP (4:3). This is the maximum resolution for the main camera, but remember: the higher the megapixel, the greater the "weight" of the file and the higher the noise in the dark.
• 🌓 HDR: Turn on Auto-HDR in the same settings, which automatically balances exposure under challenging conditions (e.g., against light), but can slow down shooting.
• 🔄 Grid: activate the 3×3 Grid in Settings → Additional, which will help you follow the rule of thirds and avoid skewing the horizon.
• 🎯 Focus: By default, the camera uses AF (autofocus), but in some scenes (e.g. macro), it is better to switch to MF (manual focus) – tap the screen and hold your finger on the subject for 2 seconds.

Note the AI- camera mode (magic wand icon) that automatically adjusts the settings for the stage (portrait, landscape, food), but sometimes makes mistakes. For example, at dusk, the AI can overstate the ISO by adding noise. In such cases, it is better to turn off the AI and adjust the settings manually.

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If after the MIUI update, some camera settings have disappeared, reset it to factory settings: Camera Settings → Restore default settings.

2 Manual exposure control in Pro Mode

Redmi 5 Plus supports Pro Mode (Professional Mode) which allows you to manually configure:

• ⚙️ Shutter speed (from 1/1000c to 32c)
• 📊 ISO (sensitivity, 100 to 3200)
• 🎯 Focus (manual focusing)
• 🔆 White balance (from 2500K to 7500K)

How to use Pro Mode to improve your photo:

1. Daylight: Set ISO to 100-200, shutter speed to 1/500c or shorter, which minimizes noise and freezes traffic.
2. Twilight: Raise the ISO to 400-800 and extend the shutter speed to 1/30c. Use a tripod or stop to avoid lubrication.
3. Night shooting: maximum ISO (1600-3200) + shutter speed 1-4s. On Redmi 5 Plus, night shots in Pro Mode are better than in automatic mode, thanks to the ability to save in RAW (file with the extension.dng).

Important: When shooting in RAW, files take up ~20 MB each, and you need to process them in special programs (for example, Lightroom or Snapseed), since the standard MIUI gallery does not support RAW correction.

3. Photography applications: alternatives to a standard camera

The MIUI stock camera on Redmi 5 Plus is limited in functionality. Consider 3 proven applications that extend the capabilities:

• 📱 Google Camera (GCam): Ported version of the Pixel camera with improved processing HDR and night mode. Redmi 5 Plus is suitable for a modification from BSG or Arnova8G2 (see forum 4PDA). After installation, turn on HDR+ Enhanced and Night Sight.
• 🎞️ Open Camera: Open source with support for RAW, manual settings and bracketing features. Useful for panoramas and macros.
• 🖼️ Footie: specializes in blurred background portet photography (bokeh effect) and works even on one camera smartphone, like the Redmi 5 Plus.

How to install GCam on Redmi 5 Plus:

1. Download. APK-a file from a verified source (e.g., Celso Azevedo website).
2. Enable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Install the APK and open the app. Give all permissions when you first start.
4. In GCam settings, select the Pixel 3 processing model and activate HDR+ control.

Warning: Some versions of the GCam may not support video recording on the Redmi 5 Plus due to the Snapdragon 625 processor.

4 Post-processing: how to "save" blurry or dark photos

Even with perfect camera settings, some of the images need to be reworked. The following tools are suitable for the Redmi 5 Plus:

• 🖌️ Snapseed (Google): Free editor with support for RAW. Use Selective correction (for shadow lightening) and Detailing (for texture drawing).
• 🌈 Lightroom Mobile: professional color correction tool, free version of presets and curves available.
• 🔍 Remini: An AI application to increase resolution and reduce noise, useful for old or heavily compressed photos.

Step-by-step instructions for processing in Snapseed:

1. Open the photo and apply Autocorrection (magic wand icon).
2. Go to Tools → Detail and increase the Structure by 20-30% (no more, otherwise the artifact “plastic effect” will appear).
3. In the curves slightly raise the shadows (the bottom of the chart) and lower the lights (the top part).
4. For portraits, use Portrait → Lighten the face (but do not abuse - the skin will become unatural).

1. Apply autocorrection

2. Increase the structure by 20-30%

3. Raise shadows in curves

4. Remove noise with the noise suppression tool

5. Keep it in maximum quality (100%)

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Note: When processing photos with Redmi 5 Plus, avoid excessive sharpness, which will increase noise, especially noticeable in dark areas. If the picture is too dark, it is better to brighten it in a RAW- editor (for example, Darktable), rather than in JPEG.

5 Hardware tricks: how to physically improve the quality of pictures

The quality of your photo depends not only on the software, but also on how you hold your phone and in what conditions you shoot. Here are 5 hardware tips:

• 📏 Stabilization: Even a slight tremor of hands when held longer 1/30s leads to lubrication. Use a mini-station (e.g., Xiaomi Mi Pocket Tripod) or put your phone against a wall/table.
• 🔦 Additional lighting: The built-in flash on the Redmi 5 Plus is weak and gives hard light, preferably using an external source (e.g. Xiaomi Mi LED Desk Lamp) or shooting in natural light.
• 🧲 Clean lens: Over time, dust and greasy prints accumulate on the lens. Rub the lens with microfiber (not paper!) before shooting.
• 🔋 Battery Charge: At a charge level below 20%, the Snapdragon 625 processor may limit performance, which affects focus and processing speed HDR.
• 🌡️ Temperature: If the phone overheats (for example, after games), let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Overheating worsens the camera and increases noise in the photo.

Experiment: Try shooting through a polarizing filter (you can cut out old sunglasses) that reduces glare on water and glass, making the colors more saturated, and fasten the filter in front of a lens of tape or clip.

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Physical conditions of shooting (lighting, stabilization, lens purity) affect the quality of the photo no less than the camera settings.

6. Hidden MIUI features for photographers

MIUI contains several “secret” features useful for shooting:

• 🔍 Document Mode: Hidden in Another → Document. Automatically aligns perspective and increases text contrast — perfect for page scanning.
• 🎭 Double press the volume button: in Camera Settings → Control can be set to double press the up/down Volume for quick camera start or shooting.
• 📱 Gestures: In Settings → Gestures, enable the camera to start double-pressing the screen (works even when the phone is locked).
• 🔄 Quick camera switch: Swipe twice across the screen in shooting mode to switch from the main to the front camera (and back).

Another useful feature is voice control, turn it into camera settings → Voice commands and say phrases like "Smile," "Remove" or "Slight" to control without hands.

Attention: RAW takes up a lot of space and slows down the retention of the photo, and use it only for critical shots where you want maximum detail.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Analyzing the reviews of users of Redmi 5 Plus, we identified 5 common mistakes that spoil the photo:

1. Shooting against light: If the sun or bright light source is behind the subject, turn on HDR or use Expocorrection (up/down swipe after focusing) to brighten the shadows.
2. Digital zoom: The Redmi 5 Plus has no optical zoom, so any zoom above 1x degrades the quality.
3. Focus on the background: The camera sometimes clings to the background instead of the main object.Tap the screen at the right point to redirect focus.
4. Shooting in motion: If the object or you are moving, use Sport mode (in additional settings) or increase the shutter speed to 1/500s.
5. Ignoring lighting: Even the best settings won't save a photo if there's not enough light. Use external sources or shoot in Pro Mode with manual settings.

If your photos are constantly blurry, check:

• Does not cover the lens (especially important for thick bumpers).
• Is Beauty Mode on (it blurs facial details)
• Is the lens dirty (wipe it with a napkin for glasses).

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90% of photo quality problems on Redmi 5 Plus are solved by correct lighting, clean lens and disabling unnecessary effects (for example, Beauty).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions