How to improve the camera on Xiaomi Redmi 5: from software settings to hardware modifications

The Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and functionality. However, its 12 MP main camera (or 5 MP in the Redmi 5A version) often disappoints users with dim shots, low-light noise and slow focus. In this article, we will discuss 7 practical ways to improve the quality of photos and videos – from basic settings to advanced modifications that will turn your Redmi 5 into a more powerful tool for shooting.

It's important to understand that the hardware limitations of a budget camera can't be completely eliminated, but the best optimization will make the most of the hardware. We've tested all the methods on MIUI 9-12 firmware and custom builds, so the instructions are relevant for most users. If you're willing to spend 10 to 30 minutes setting up, the result will exceed expectations - especially when shooting in daytime or with good lighting.

1. Optimization of standard settings of the MIUI camera

The first step is to set up the camera app correctly. Many users don't even realize that Redmi 5 has hidden useful features that are disabled by default. For example, HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode can significantly improve detail in shadows and bright areas, but it automatically shuts down in low light - and this is a mistake of the MIUI algorithm.

How to enable hidden options:

• 📱 Open the Camera app and swipe to the right to go to Modes.
• 🔧 Put it on the icon. ⚙️ (Settings) in the upper corner.
• 🎯 Turn it on: HDR (Even if it's gray, it's forced. HDR activated through the Authorization HDR Hand-held grid (helps to follow the rule of thirds), geometry (if you need coordinates of images), facial enhancement (but don't overuse - distorts reality).
• 🔄 Return to the camera’s main screen and hold your finger on the screen to block exposure and focus (this will prevent accidental changes in settings when shooting).

Note the video resolution: Redmi 5 shoots at 1080p@30fps by default, but you can switch to 720p@60fps for a smoother picture (though with loss of detail). To change that, go to Camera Settings → Video Resolution.

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If the HDR photos are too dark after turning on, try to manually increase the exposure (a slider with a sun icon on the camera screen).

2.Use of third-party camera applications

Xiaomi’s standard camera app is limited MIUI And it often loses to third-party solutions in terms of flexibility. 5 Popular alternatives and selected top-3, This is a great way to improve the quality of your photos on Redmi. 5:

For Redmi 5, we recommend starting with Google Camera, but it’s important to pick the right version and configuration file. BSG GCam with XML Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (they have similar cameras) shows the best results. download GCam only from trusted sources (for example, the forum). 4PDA or Celso Azevedo website to avoid viruses.

3. Manual control of the shooting parameters

Even with a good application, automatic settings are often wrong. For example, Redmi 5 tends to overestimate ISO in low light conditions, which leads to digital noise. Manual control avoids this. Here are key parameters that are worth monitoring:

• 📸 ISO: The optimal value for a day's shooting is 100-400. Indoors or in the evening, do not raise above 800 (otherwise artifacts will appear).
• ⏱️ Extract: For static objects, you can increase to 1/10c, but hold your smartphone still or use a tripod.
• 🎯 Focus: Manually adjust the focal length (e.g. 5.0 for macro photography).
• 🔄 White Balance: Automatics MIUI often mistaken – choose presets (daylight, Cloudy) or manually set up on a gray card.

Example: To shoot a portrait with a blurred background (bokeh), follow the following steps in Open Camera:

1. Set the Photo mode.
2. Slip on the object to focus.
3. Reduce the aperture (if you have an option) or get as close to the object as possible (but no closer than 10 cm).
4. Take a picture and process it in Snapseed or Lightroom, adding background blur.

Set ISO to 800| Shutter speed - 1/4c| Use tripod or support | Disable flash |Shoot in RAW for post-processing-->

Hardware improvements: lenses and lighting

Software methods have limits, so to make a big difference in the camera, it's worth considering hardware modifications.

• 🔍 Landing lenses: For example, Xenvo Pro Lens (macro) + Wide angle) or Apexel (fish eye) starting at 500 rubles, attached to a magnetic ring. Important: check compatibility with the diameter of the Redmi 5 camera before buying (usually a universal mount 17-20 mm is suitable).
• 💡 External LED panel: For example, Neewer 10" LED (It's about 1,500 rubles. It allows you to shoot in dark rooms without digital noise.
• 📸 Tripod: even a budget Mini-tripod for 300 rubles will eliminate hand tremors in long exposure.
• 🔋 Power Bank with USB-Type C: For long-term shooting (e.g., timelapses), as Redmi 5 quickly discharges when using the camera.

If you are ready for more radical measures, you can consider replacing the camera module with a similar one from the Redmi Note 5 (Sony IMX486 sensor instead of OmniVision OV12A10 in the basic version). However, this requires soldering skills and risks voiding the warranty. The module cost about 1,000 rubles, but the quality gain will be noticeable only in good lighting.

5. Update of firmware and core

Older versions of MIUI (especially MIUI 9) contain image processing errors that are fixed in newer builds.

• Autofocus speed.
• Color reproduction (elimination of excessive warm hue).
• HDR operation in contrast lighting conditions.

How to update firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. If a new version is available, download it and install it.
3. For manual installation, download the firmware from the official Xiaomi website (choose Redmi 5 by model code, for example, rosy for the global version).
4. Install through System Update → Three dots → Select a firmware file.

For advanced users: custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) often offers better camera optimization thanks to the Camera2API kernel.

• Unlock bootloader (officially via Mi Unlock Tool)
• Install TWRP (Castom Recovery)
• Sweep ZIP-firmware.

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Updating your firmware is the safest way to improve your camera without damaging your hardware, but custom builds can take away your official warranty.

6 Post-processing photos: from Snapseed to Lightroom

Even a perfectly shot can be improved in graphics editors.

• 📱 Snapseed (free): Intuitive interface, tools Selective correction and curves.
• 🖼️ Adobe Lightroom Mobile: Working with the RAW, Presets, synchronization with the desktop version.
• 🎨 VSCO: Stylish filters and fine-tuning of the exposure.

Basic steps for processing:

1. Increase exposure by 0.3–0.7 feet (but don’t overshoot!).
2. Increase the contrast by 10-15%.
3. Reduce shadows by 20 to 30 percent to show details.
4. Add sharpness (slurredness mask) with a radius of 0.5-1.0.
5. Adjust color balance: Redmi 5 often overestimate red tones – reduce them by 5-10%.

For example: the original image from Redmi 5 indoors (left) and after processing in Lightroom (right):

Before processing: dim colors, noise in the shadows, slurred edges. After: bright shades, clear outlines, natural shadows, the difference is especially noticeable when printed or viewed on the big screen.

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Save the original photos to the cloud (like Google Photos) before processing, so you can always go back to the source if you overdo it.

7. Alternative methods: from shooting in RAW to timelapses

If you want to get the most out of Redmi 5, try these tricks:

• 📁 Shooting in RAW: Format.DNG It saves all the data from the sensor without compression. Process these files in Lightroom or Darktable. ~20 MB versus 3-5 MB in JPEG.
• ⏳ Timelapses: Use the Lapse It app to create videos from series of shots. Redmi 5 will cope with an interval of 1 frame in 2-5 seconds.
• 🎥 Video in the video 60 FPS: Switch to the switch. 720p@60fps For smooth video (e.g. sports footage), the quality is worse, but the dynamics are better.
• 🔄 Dual camera (if any): Redmi 5 Plus has a second module for background blurring. Enable Portrait mode and experiment with distance to the subject (optimally 1-1.5 meters).

For the RAW Open Camera:

1. Open the application settings.
2. Go to the photo format and select RAW (DNG).
3. Take a picture and save the file to the DCIM/OpenCamera/RAW folder.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Redmi 5 users make the same mistakes that ruin even potentially good shots.

⚠️ Warning: Never use digital zoom on Redmi 5 - it just zooms in pixels, making the photo blurry.

• 🌞 Shooting against the sun: Redmi 5 camera does not cope well with contrasting scenes. If you want to capture the sunset, shoot in the camera. HDR Or manually reduce exposure.
• 🤳 Dirty lens: Even fingerprints on the lens can ruin a photo.
• 📱 Low light hand shooting: Hand shaking causes blur. Use a tripod or rest your elbows on a stable surface.
• 🔋 Low battery power: At a charge level below 15%, the camera can brake or shut down. Charge your smartphone before taking an important shot.

⚠️ Warning: If after updating the firmware camera began to issue an error "failed to connect to the camera", try to clear the cache of the application (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the cache) or reset the camera settings to standard.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions