How to take a photo on Xiaomi is not worse than flagships: a complete guide to improving shooting

Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be budget “soap boxes” – modern models are equipped with multi-module cameras with support AI-But even with the top hardware, 90 percent of users get average shots simply because they don't know how to unleash the camera's potential. This article is not about abstract “photo tips”, but about specific settings and tricks that work on Xiaomi devices – from Redmi Note to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

We're not just going to look at basic parameters like resolution or HDR, but also hidden functions MIUI, For example, why in manual mode (Pro Mode) on the Xiaomi 13 Pro you can squeeze 30% more details than in a machine, or how to circumvent the limitations of video compression algorithms. And you'll also learn what apps you need to add to compensate for the stock camera's software jambs. Are you ready to turn your Xiaomi into a near-professional tool? Then let's start with the most important thing: understanding what exactly prevents your photos from being perfect.

Spoiler: most of the problems lie not in the “weak hardware”, but in the wrong settings and ignorance of the features of image processing in the MIUI. For example, many people complain about “soapy» HDR Or relights on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, But the solution is to turn off one tick from the camera menu, or why the video is on the camera. POCO F5 And the zoom twitches -- it's not a camera defect, it's a hybrid stabilization feature that you can get around.

1. Optimizing the basic camera settings: what to turn off and what to turn on

The first thing to start with is to audit the current camera settings, and many users spend years shooting with factory settings, unaware that half of the options can (and should!) be reconfigured to suit their needs. AI default is included on all Xiaomi, but it often “overdoes” with saturation and contrast, which makes the photos look unnatural.

Go to the camera settings → AI-You can turn off the Smart Scene Recognition option, and this will prevent automatic "improvement" of the sky, grass and faces, which doesn't always work correctly. HDR (In some models, it is hidden in the → Regimes HDR). Xiaomi. 13T Pro and newer available HDR10+ — Turn it on for landscape or architecture photography.

• 🔍 Photo resolution: always set the maximum (usually) 12MPP/24MPP/50MP depending on the model. Redmi sometimes defaults 9MP is a reduced mode to save space.
• 📸 Preservation format: select JPEG + RAW (if there is such an option). RAW It is useful for post-processing, and JPEG — fast-paced.
• 🎥 Stabilization of video: on models with OIS (Optical stabilization) disable Electronic stabilization – it cuts the frame and worsens the detail.
• ⚡ Quick settings: add Manual Focus, Expocorrection and White Balance buttons to the toolbar for quick access.

Pay special attention to setting up the grid (included in Settings) → Grids. Use the rule of thirds or the golden spiral to help you build your frames correctly. Xiaomi 14 even has a dynamic grid that tells you how to position your objects in real time.

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If your model does not have an option JPEG + RAW, Install the Google Camera (GCam) app with Xiaomi support. RAW Even on budget smartphones like Redmi 10C.

2 Manual exposure control: when the machine fails

Xiaomi’s automatic camera mode does a good job of handling most scenes, but in challenging environments (counterjournal, night shots, high-contrast footage) it’s often wrong. Here comes Pro Mode, a manual mode that’s available on all models since the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

The main parameters that should be controlled manually:

• Shutter speed (S): to capture water (rivers, waterfalls) use long exposure (from 1/4down 2For moving objects (cars, people) - short (1/500s–1/1000s).
• ISO: keep the value within 100–800 It's a little bit noiseless. 13 Ultra can be lifted to 1600 without critical loss of quality.
• White balance (WB): Indoors with artificial lights, display 3200K–4000K, street-side — 5500K–6500K.
• Focus: Use Manual Focus for macro photography (click on the magnifying glass in Pro Mode) as autofocus can “float”.

On models with Leica optics (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), additional color reproduction profiles are available in Pro Mode: Leica Authentic (natural colors) and Leica Vibrant (juicier tones).

Excerpt: 1/4s – 1s

ISO: 800–1600

White balance: 4000K

Format: RAW (if available)

Stabilization: Include (if shooting with hands)-->

Please note: POCO F4 GT And similar gaming smartphones in Pro Mode may not have manual aperture adjustment — that's okay, because it uses a fixed aperture. Instead, focus on shutter speed and the aperture. ISO.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in RAW files take up to 50MB each. Make sure your phone has enough space, or use a memory card UHS-II speed up.

3. Secrets of video shooting: how to remove jitters and improve sound

Video on Xiaomi often suffers from two problems: unstable images (especially when zooming) and bad sound (wind noise, muted speech), which is solved by a comprehensive approach - customization of software and selection of accessories.

First, check the video settings:

• 🎞️ Permission and FPS: Most tasks will be enough 1080p@60fps or 4K@30fps. Shooting in 4K@60fps Available only on flagships (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra and newer, but it heats up the processor fast.
• 🔄 Stabilization: if the smartphone supports OIS + EIS (for example, Xiaomi 13T), Turn on Ultrastabilization in the video settings. On budget models (Redmi 10) it is better to turn off EIS — she cuts the edges of the frame.
• 🎤 Sound: Activate Sound Amplification and Wind Filter (in Video Settings) → Use an external microphone via Type-C for interviews.

To shoot with movement (for example, when walking), use Tracking Mode (available on Xiaomi 12 Pro and later). It automatically stabilizes the frame by focusing on the selected object. If tracking "loses" the object, try to reduce the speed of movement or use an immobilizer (for example, DJI Osmo Mobile).

For post-processing video, we recommend using CapCut or LumaFusion – they are optimized for working with files shot on Xiaomi, and support distortion correction from wide-angle modules.

Night photography: how to get detailed photos without noise

Xiaomi’s night mode is one of the most advanced Android smartphones, but it requires proper use, and many complain about the “blurred” or “plastic” effect on night shots, even though the problem lies in the wrong settings.

Here is the algorithm for the perfect night shot:

1. Hold your smartphone on a tripod or a stable surface, and even micro-movements at long exposures will lead to lubrication.
2. Turn it off. AI Improve night scenes – they add artificial details.
3. In Pro Mode set: Shutter speed: 2-4s (on Xiaomi) 12S Ultra can be up to 8c). ISO: 800-1600 (not higher, otherwise there will be noise) White balance: 4000K (streetlight).

Lightroom Mobile

Denoise

Nana POCO X5 Pro and similar models, the night mode is worse because there's no big sensor, and the Night Camera or Neocamera app, which uses alternative noise reduction algorithms, will help.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in night mode, Xiaomi warms up a lot. if the temperature of the processor exceeds 45°C, the camera will automatically lower the quality. Let the phone cool between sessions or use a cooling case.

5. Portrait Shooting: How to Avoid "Plastic" Faces and Failed Bokeh

Portrait mode on Xiaomi is often criticized for too aggressive background blurring and unnatural skin treatment, but with the right settings, you can achieve a professional result even on the Redmi Note 11 Pro.

Secrets of a quality portrait:

• 👤 Distance: Stay 1-1.5 m away from the model, and if you get closer, the bokeh algorithm will break and start blurring your hair or ears.
• 🌟 Lighting: avoid contrajurious light (when the source is behind the object); it is better to shoot in diffuse light or use ring light.
• 🎨 Bokeh Effects: In the Portrait Mode settings, select Natural over Studio. On the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Bokeh Flare is available - it adds beautiful light circles.
• 🔄 Post-processing: After shooting, edit your photos in Snapseed: reduce the Brightness of Shadows by 10-15% and add Vignetting (+20) for the accent on the face.

On models with dual front cameras (for example, Xiaomi) 11T Pro) Portrait mode works better, as it uses stereoscopic effect to accurately separate background and object. If your smartphone has only one frontal, shoot portraits on the main camera - the result will be cleaner.

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To capture portraits in motion (such as on the street) use Portrait Video Mode (available on Xiaomi) 12S And newer. It supports. 1080p@30fps real-time background blur.

6 Post-processing: applications and settings for the perfect result

Even the most technically advanced photos can be improved with post-processing. Xiaomi has a basic tool Gallery app preinstalled, but it’s worth using specialized software for professional results.

Top.-5 Photo editing apps with Xiaomi:

• 📱 Lightroom Mobile: The Best Choice to Work with RAW. Use Xiaomi Leica Presets (you can download in the community) XDA Developers).
• 🎨 Snapseed: Google’s free and powerful editor, Selective Correction and Perspective tools are especially useful.
• 🌄 VSCO: It's perfect for color correction. A6 and HB2 It works well with Xiaomi cameras.
• 👤 Facetune: for portrait retouching (removes pimples, lightens teeth, but do not overdo it!).
• 📹 CapCut: if you need to quickly mount video with transition effects and color correction.

When editing photos with Xiaomi, pay attention to the following points:

• 🔍 Noise: Lightroom uses Denoise at 20 to 30 percent. Higher values make your photo plastic».
• 🎯 Sharpness: Add Clarity Mask only around the edges of objects (in Snapseed, this is the Details tool). → Structure).
• 🌈 Colors: Xiaomi often over-satisfies with the saturation of green and blue. In manual correction, reduce the saturation for these colors by 10-15%.

For video post-processing is even more important. If you shot in Xiaomi Log, be sure to use it. LUT-For example, for Xiaomi 13 Ultra is suitable LUT Leica Classic, which can be downloaded here.

7. Additional accessories: what you really need to shoot

The good news is that Xiaomi doesn’t need expensive accessories to shoot high-quality, but a few inexpensive but effective gadgets are enough:

If you shoot frequently, consider buying an immobilizer (e.g., a smear, DJI Osmo Mobile 6.It not only stabilizes video, but also allows you to control the camera of the smartphone through a joystick, which is convenient for shooting in motion.

For macro photography (for example, insects or textures) clip lenses with an increase are suitable. 10x–15x. The main thing is to fasten them strictly in the center of the main camera, otherwise there will be distortions at the edges.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap Lenses-Clips (cost up to 1000) ₽) Often the quality is degraded due to poor quality glass. Before buying, read reviews on AliExpress or Yandex Market with real examples of photos.

8. Xiaomi's Hidden Camera Features: What You Didn't Know About Your Smartphone

Xiaomi cameras have a lot of hidden features that the manufacturer does not talk about.

• 🔍 Mode "Document": in Additional → Document mode can scan text with automatic perspective correction, and it works better than many specialized scanners.
• 🌌 Long shutter speed: on Xiaomi 12 Pro and newer Pro Mode, shutter speeds up to 30 seconds are available (usually hidden – hold the shutter button for 3 seconds).
• 🎬 Slow-motion video 960 FPS: on POCO F4 GT Xiaomi 12T You can take super slowdown in 720p@960fps, but only in good lighting.
• 🔄 Double pressing of the volume button: in Settings → Buttons and gestures can be set to turn the camera on quickly.
• 📱 Shooting from two cameras at the same time: Xiaomi 11T Pro and newer in the mode Double video can be recorded immediately from the main and front camera.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a unique mode Leica Master Shots, which automatically selects the style of shooting for a specific scene (portrait, architecture, street). → Master Shots and choose one of 8 Leica styles.

Another little-known feature is voice control of the camera. → Voice commands. Once activated, you can say "Photos" or "Photos" and the camera will execute the command.

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Xiaomi. 12S Ultra and newer in Professional Video Mode Bitrate setup to 100 Mbps is available.This greatly improves video detail, but files take up more space.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions