How to enable macro shooting on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: hidden settings and life hacks

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones with an excellent camera, but many owners do not even suspect that it supports macro photography - shooting small objects from a distance of only 2-5 cm Unlike the flagship models, where the macrolens is allocated to a separate module, here this mode is hidden in settings or requires small manipulations. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to activate macro on the Redmi Note 7, compare the quality of images in standard and manual modes, and also reveal the secrets of correct focusing.

It is important to understand that the Redmi Note 7 is not equipped with a specialized macrolens (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro), so macro photography is implemented software - through the main lens with a high resolution of 48 MP. This imposes restrictions on the minimum focus distance and depth of field, but with the right approach you can achieve impressive results.

Hardware Check: Does your Redmi Note 7 support macro photography?

Before you try to turn on macro mode, make sure your device is technically capable of doing so. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 came in several versions, and their capabilities are slightly different:

• 🔍 Basic version (4/64 GB, Snapdragon 660): It supports macro-sensing through software processing, but without a separate lens — ~4 centimeter.
• 🔍 Pro-version (6/128 GB, Snapdragon 675): similar capabilities, but due to a more powerful processor better cope with post-processing images.
• 🔍 Indian/Global Firmware (MIUI 10–12: In some regional versions, macro mode is disabled by default in the camera settings.

To test your model, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and Device Model. If you have a Redmi Note 7 Pro (48+5 MP), the chances of a successful macro shot are higher, but even on the standard version you can achieve good results, the main thing is to adjust the focus and lighting correctly.

Method 1: Enable macro through a standard camera app

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI camera, where the macro mode is hidden under the "Close shot" option.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Switch to Photo Mode (not Portrait or Video).
3. Bring the camera to the object at a distance of 3-5 cm.
4. Wait for a prompt to appear on the screen Close shot or Macro (usually at the top of the screen).
5. Tap the clues to fix the focus.

If the hint doesn't appear, try:

• 📱 Reboot the camera (swipe the app in the multitasking menu and reopen it).
• 🔄 Switch to the rear camera (macro does not work on the front camera).
• 🌞 Increase lighting – in the dark, autofocus does not recognize small objects.

Important: On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 11 for the global market), the Close Snap option is disabled by default, in which case resetting the camera settings or software update will help.

Method 2: Manually enable macro through the "Pro" mode

If the automatic macro mode fails, you can manually adjust focusing through Professional Mode (or Pro), which gives you more control over the shooting parameters:

1. Open the camera and select Pro (or M on some versions of MIUI) mode.
2. Set up manual focusing (MF icon or focus slider).
3. Hold the camera to the subject and slowly move the focus slider until the image is clear.
4. Lock the exposure (click on the screen and hold until the AE-L lock appears).
5. Take a picture, holding the smartphone as still as possible.

Advantages of manual mode:

• 🎯 Accurate focus setting for complex shaped objects (e.g. flowers with petals at different levels).
• 📸 Control over ISO and exposure - useful in low light.
• 🔍 Capability to shoot from less than 3 cm (but requires practice).

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To stabilize the image, use a delay timer (3 or 10 seconds) in the camera settings, which will help avoid "grease" when you press the down button.

Method 3: Third-party applications for macro photography

If the standard MIUI camera doesn't work, you can install third-party apps that are optimized for macro photography.

How to set up macro in Open Camera:

1. Install the application and open it.
2. Go to the settings (⚙️) → Focusing → Choose a manual focus.
3. Return to the shoot and use the focus slider (right of the down button).
4. For better results, turn on Grid (in display settings) and Stabilization.

Quality comparison: standard macro vs manual setup vs third-party applications

To understand which method gives the best result, we conducted test surveys of one object (coin denomination of 1 ruble) from a distance of 3 cm.

Bottom line: For fast shots, standard mode is fine, but if you want maximum quality, use the Camera FV-5 with manual settings, but note that in low light, any macro shot on the Redmi Note 7 will suffer from noise due to the small pixel size of the main sensor.

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For better detail, shoot in RAW format (available in Camera FV-5 and Macro Camera), but remember that such files take ~20 MB and require post-processing.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right settings, macro photography on the Redmi Note 7 can be frustrating because of common errors.

⚠️ Note: If you shoot from close range, the image is blurred at the edges, it is not a defect of the camera, but a feature of the optics. Redmi Note 7 does not have a multi-layer lens for macro, so the depth of field is minimal - in focus will only be the central part of the frame.

• 🌫️ Blurrency: Reduce the distance to the object to 2-3 cm or, conversely, move back by 1 cm.
• 🔦 Dark shots: Turn on HDR In camera settings or use an external light source (e.g., another smartphone flashlight).
• 📱 Camera shake: Lift your elbows against the table or use a mini-station.Redmi Note 7 has no optical stabilization.
• 🎨 Wrong colours: Turn off AI-Improvement in camera settings (it often overdoes with saturation).

Another common problem is that autofocus jumps between near and far, and it's because of MIUI algorithms that try to guess what you're shooting.

1. Switch to Pro mode and block focus (touch with screen retention).
2. Or turn off Continuous Autofocus in the camera settings.

Additional accessories for improving macro photography

While Redmi Note 7 can handle macro shooting out of the box, a few inexpensive accessories will help take quality to the next level:

• 🔍 Location for macro (price) ~300–500 ₽): Increases the frequency of approach to 10-15×. Best models: Xenvo Pro Lens or Apexel.
• 📸 Mini-Statution: For example, UBeesize 50 with flexible legs for attachment to any surfaces.
• 💡 Ring lamp: Compact battery-powered models (such as Neewer 10) will eliminate shadows when shooting small objects.
• 🎛️ Remote Descent Remote: Helps avoid shaking when pressing the screen (any Bluetooth remote for smartphones is suitable).

When using lenses, it is important:

⚠️ Note: Cheap plastic lenses (cost up to 200) ₽) They often give you a big distortion around the edges of the frame, called the fish-eye effect.

If you shoot frequently, consider buying a clip for a macro lens - it fixes the nozzle exactly in the center of the lens, eliminating biases. Example: Kase Magnet Clip (compatible with most smartphones, including the Redmi Note 7).

FAQ: Frequent questions about macro shooting on Redmi Note 7