How to improve the quality of the camera on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from settings to firmware

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 It is still one of the most popular budget smartphones with a camera. 48 MP -- but not all owners know how to unlock its potential, even with a Sony sensor. IMX586 diaphragm f/1.8 The photos can be blurry, noisy, or with the wrong white balance, and the problem is not the hardware, but the software optimization and settings.

In this article — 10 We've tried and tested ways to improve the camera, from basic (clean the lens) to advanced (install custom GCam port). HDR, Night mode and manual settings, and compare the standard camera app to alternatives. MIUI 12–14 and relevant to the Redmi Note 7/7 Pro.

1. Cleaning the lens and checking hardware problems

Before you go through the settings, make sure that the problem is not the physical condition of the camera. №1 blurred shots. On the Redmi Note 7, the lenses protrude above the body, so they quickly become covered with prints and dust.

How to clean:

• 🧴 Use a microfiber wipe (for example, for glasses) and alcohol wipes (70% isopropyl alcohol!
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the lens' protective glass - scratches can scatter light.
• 📱 Make sure the camera doesn’t get direct sunlight at a sharp angle – it causes glare.

If the quality has not improved after cleaning, check:

• 🔧 Mounting of the camera module - when falling, it can move away from the board (manifested as a "shaking" of the picture when focusing).
• 🔋 Battery charge below 15% – the smartphone automatically reduces performance, which affects the processing of photos.

⚠️ Warning: Don't blow on the lens before shooting - the moisture from the breath condenses on the lenses and worsens clarity. Also avoid brushing with cotton swabs - they leave fibers behind.

2 Update firmware and camera to the latest version

Xiaomi regularly releases updates for image processing algorithms, especially for 48MP models. MIUI 13 added improved night mode and optimization HDR For the Redmi Note 7.

How to update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on "Check Updates" and install the latest version of MIUI.
3. For the camera: Open the Camera app, swipe left to the "More" section" → "Settings" → "Update the camera".

If there are no official updates, you can install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and risks voiding the warranty.

⚠️ Warning: After the update, reset the camera settings to factory (Camera Settings) → Restore default settings. This will eliminate conflicts between old parameters and new algorithms.

3. Optimal settings of the standard camera

The camera app on the Redmi Note 7 hides a lot of useful options. Here are 5 key settings to configure:

• 📸 Resolution: Select 48 MP (in settings) → "Photo resolution. 12 MP is enough for social networks (detailing due to pixel binning is better).
• 🌓 HDR: Turn on the car.-HDR (customized → "HDR"). Manually activate it in contrast lighting (for example, against the sun).
• 🔄 Feedback: Enable Photo Improvement (in settings) → "Additional.The algorithm combines 4 frames to reduce noise.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off Autofocus when you touch if you're shooting manually. Use Continuous Autofocus for dynamic scenes.
• 📐 Grid: Activate the Grid 3×3 (customized → "Grid") for correct composition according to the rule of thirds.

For portrait mode:

• 👤 Select background blur at 70-80% (more - looks unnatural).
• 💡 Use natural light – Portrait mode doesn’t work well with incandescent lights.

Select a 48 MP permit|

Turn on the Auto-HDR|

Turn off the digital zoom|

Activate the grid 3×3|

Set white balance on "Auto"-->

Critical nuance for Redmi Note 7: when shooting in 48 MP, electronic stabilization is turned off (EIS). Use a tripod or a stable surface!

4.Install Google Camera (GCam) for better handling

Xiaomi's standard camera app loses Google Camera in detail, colors and night shooting. GCam uses algorithms HDR+ Night Sight, which works better with sensors IMX586.

How to determine:

1. Download the appropriate GCam port for Redmi Note 7 (we recommend the version from the BSG or Urnyx05). Links: celsoazevedo.com (section Xiaomi).
2. Install.apk file (allow installation from unknown sources in security settings).
3. Import the config (settings) for IMX586 (for example, Violet_GCam_Config.xml).

Recommended GCam settings for Redmi Note 7:

• 📷 Resolution: 12 MP (pixel binning gives better detail than 48 MP in a stock camera).
• 🌙 Night Sight: Set shutter speeds for 3-7 seconds (use a tripod!).
• 🎛️ HDR+: Turn it on. HDR+ Enhanced for high contrast scenes.
• 🔍 Lib Patch: Activate in Developer Settings to Fix Focus Bugs.

⚠️ Warning: Some versions of the GCam can overheat the Snapdragon 660 processor during long shooting. CPU Monitor.

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Before installing GCam, back up your photos – some ports may reset your standard camera settings.

Manual control: ISO, exposure, white balance

In Pro (or Manual) mode, you can manually adjust settings that automation often plays, which is especially useful for shooting in difficult conditions (concerts, sunsets, macro).

Key parameters:

• 📏 ISO: Keep it within 100-800 for daylight. ISO > 1600 will make noises.
• ⏱️ Excerpt: For static objects — 1/100–1/200 For night photography (with a tripod) — 1–4 sack.
• 🎨 White Balance: Indoors, choose an incandescent lamp (2700K) or fluorescent lamp (4000K).
• 🔍 Focus: For macro, use manual focusing (push the slider to appearance blur, then back a little bit).

Examples of settings for different scenes:

• 🌅 Sunset: ISO 100, exposure 1/200, white-cloud balance.
• 🌃 Nighttown: ISO 800, exposure 1/4 tripod), HDR on.
• 👶 Portrait by lamps: ISO 400, white balance 3500K, background blur 60%.

6. Alternative Camera Applications

If GCam doesn’t work, try other apps with advanced features:

For video, we recommend Footiej, which is better at stabilizing than the standard app. RAW-Open Camera is the right option (configure saving in the DNG for further processing in Lightroom).

⚠️ Note: Apps like Camera FV-5 48 MP on Redmi Note 7 may not be supported due to limitations API. Check compatibility before buying!

7. Lighting and composition: rules for the perfect shot

Even with the best settings, poor lighting will ruin your photo.

• ☀️ Natural light: Shooting at sunrise or sunset ("golden time") gives warm tones and soft shadows. Avoid direct sun at noon - it creates harsh contrasts.
• 💡 Artificial light: Use point-to-point lighting (such as a front and side lamp) for portraits. avoid mixing color temperatures (such as an incandescent lamp) + LED).
• 🌑 Night shooting: Look for lights (lights, windows) to illuminate the object. In total darkness, even Night Mode won't help - you need at least minimal illumination.

Compositional techniques:

• 🔷 Rule of thirds: Place the object at the intersection of grid lines (enable it in camera settings).
• 🔄 Leading lines: Use roads, fences or shadows to direct your gaze at the main object.
• 🖼️ Framing: Frame the frame with natural frames (windows, arches, tree branches).

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A good photo is 70 percent light-dependent and 20 percent camera-setting, and the remaining 10 percent is post-processing.

8 Post-processing: editing applications

Even the perfect shot can be improved in the editor. For the Redmi Note 7, we recommend:

• 📱 Snapseed (Google): Free, Selective Correction Tools and Curves for Fine Customization.
• 🖼️ Lightroom Mobile: Supports RAW, Presets for quick processing. The paid version opens Healing Brush).
• 🎨 VSCO: Stylish filters (e.g, A6 or HB2) natural-looking.

Basic edits for photos with Redmi Note 7:

1. Increase the contrast by 10-15% (but don’t overdo it!).
2. Lower the shadows by 20 to 30 percent to show details.
3. Add sharpness (masking) at 20-40% for clarity.
4. Adjust the white balance with a pipette (select a neutral grey object in the photo).

For nighttime photos in Lightroom:

• Reduce noise (includes the "details" tab" → "Noise suppression to 30-50%).
• Increase exposure by 0.3–0.7 EV, if the frame is too dark.

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Save original photos to the cloud (Google Photos, MI Cloud) before editing - so you can go back to the source if you overdo it with edits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note camera 7