Checking the exposition on Xiaomi: why you need and how it works

Have you ever taken a photo on Xiaomi and then found it too dark or overlit? It's because of the wrong exposure, one of the key parameters of a photo. But what is "exposure check" in the settings of a smartphone camera, and why can it dramatically change your shots?

Exposure determines how much light will hit the camera matrix. If there is too much light, the details will burn out (for example, the sky in the beach photos becomes a white spot). If not enough, the photo turns out to be cloudy and dark. Xiaomi smartphones (especially the flagship series Mi 11/12/13, Redmi Note and POCO) offer manual adjustment of exposure, but many users do not understand how to use it. In this article, we will understand what checking the exposure, how to activate it and when it is really necessary.

What is Exposure and Why You Should Check It

Exposure is a balance between three parameters:

• 🔹 Shutter speed is the time the camera shutter opens (the longer the more light).
• 🔹 Aperture - the size of the hole through which light passes (in smartphones fixed, but simulated software).
• 🔹 ISO — sensitivity of the matrix to light (the higher, the brighter the photo, but more noise).

In automatic mode, Xiaomi's smartphone chooses these parameters, but not always perfectly. For example, when shooting against the sun, the camera can darken an object in the foreground, trying to "save" the bright sky. Exposure check allows you to manually adjust the brightness before shooting to avoid such errors.

Where will this be useful?

• 🌅 Landscapes – so that the sky does not “burn out”, and the earth remains detailed.
• 👤 Portraits on a bright background – so that the face does not turn into a silhouette.
• 🌃 Night photography – to avoid too noisy or dark footage.

How to enable exposure check on Xiaomi

In most Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12 and later), the exposure check feature is hidden in professional camera mode.

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Swipe your finger up or click on the words More (or More) to open the list of modes.
3. Choose Pro (or Professional)
4. In the upper right corner, an exposure scale will appear (usually indicated by ±0).

If you have an old version MIUI or budget model (e.g. Redmi) 9A), In this case, the exposure can only be adjusted through the brightness slider in the main mode (sun icon). ⚡ near-button).

Turn on Pro mode in the camera

Make sure the subject is well lit.

Secure your smartphone (or use a tripod)

Check the current ISO settings and shutter speeds-->

Step-by-step: how to set up the exposure

Let’s take a look at the Xiaomi 13 Pro (similar to most models with MIUI 13/14):

1. Activate Pro mode (as described above).
2. Point the camera at the object. The screen will display an exposure scale dividing from -2 to +2 (sometimes up to ±3).
3. Touch the scale and move the slider: 🔸 -1...-2 — darken the frame (useful for scenes that are too bright). 🔸 +1...+2 — lighten the frame (for dark conditions).

Lock the focus.

Take a picture.

Tip: If you're making a video, you can change the exposure in real time -- just move the slider while you're recording -- and this is useful, for example, when you're moving from a dark room to a street.

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On models with Leica optics (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the exposure is better set up in a pair with manual focusing - so the frame will be more professional.

Common errors in setting up exposure

Even the most experienced users sometimes get it wrong. Here's what you can't do when you manually set up:

⚠️ Note: If you set up an exhibition +2 or higher in a dark room, the photo will be noisy (colored dots will appear). ISO up to 800-1600 and use a tripod.

Another common problem is that auto exposure jumps when you're shooting a video, and this happens when the camera is constantly adjusting to the changing lights, to avoid this:

1. Block the exposure (press and hold your finger on the screen until the lock appears). 🔒).
2. Or shoot a video in Pro mode with fixed settings.

When Exposure Checking Is Not Necessary

It's not always a good idea to manually adjust exposure, and in some cases, you'd better trust the automation.

• 📸 Fast shooting (children, animals, sports) – no time to set up.
• 🌈 Difficult lighting (contrast scenes, such as sunset with silhouettes) – better to use HDR.
• 🤳 Selfie – Front camera usually does not cope well with manual settings.

Also, you should not interfere with the exposure if you shoot in RAW format. In this case, it is better to modify the photolater in Lightroom or Snapseed, where there are more opportunities for correction.

Comparison of exposure on different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally good at setting up the exposure.

Flagship models (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold) allow for more precise exposure control thanks to more advanced matrices (e.g. Sony IMX800 or IMX989). Budget devices (Redmi 10A, POCO M5) often simplify settings, leaving only basic sliders.

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On small-matrix smartphones (like the Redmi 9C), manual exposure is less efficient – it’s better to rely on HDR and night mode.

Useful Apps for Exposure Checking

If the standard Xiaomi camera does not suit you, you can use third-party applications with advanced settings:

• 📱 Open Camera – Free Camera with Manual Exposure, Support RAW histogram.
• 📱 ProCam X is a paid application with professional tools (including manual shutter speed control and control). ISO).
• 📱 Footage – for fixed exposure video.

Example of settings in Open Camera:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Open the settings (⚙️) and enable Advanced Controls.
3. In shooting mode, tap the EV icon (exposure) and move the slider.
4. For fine-tuning, use a histogram (graph in the upper right corner).

The advantage of third-party cameras is a histogram that shows the distribution of light in the frame. If you press the graph to the left edge, the frame is dark, the right edge is overlit, ideally when the peaks are in the middle.

FAQ: Frequent questions about checking exposure on Xiaomi