Owners of the Chinese brand’s modern smartphones often encounter terminology that can seem confusing without proper explanation, one of which is the so-called “fish-eye mode” that users search for in the menus of their devices’ cameras, in fact, it’s a specific feature of ultra-wide-angle shooting or software image processing that mimics a “fisheye” lens.
Understanding how the optics work in Xiaomi smartphones allows you to take truly unique shots. Many mid-range and flagship models have modules with a viewing angle of up to 123 degrees, which actually gives the distortion effect that is characteristic of the fish eye. However, to get an artistic result, not just a blurry stain, you need to know the finer points of the setting.
In this article, we will discuss the technical aspects of wide-angle sensors, how to activate special modes in the camera application, and post-processing methods. You will learn why a standard ultra-wide angle does not always give the desired effect and how to turn a regular shot into a creative work of art with minimal effort.
Technical features of wide-angle optics
To get a sense of the point, you need to understand the physical workings of the camera modules. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO use different types of lenses. The standard wide-angle module has a focal length of about 12-14 mm in equivalent, which already creates a noticeable expansion of the frame. However, the true "fish eye" effect requires an even shorter focal length and a specific convex shape of the lens.
Most manufacturers, including the Chinese giant, do not install individual sensors with pure fisheye optics because of the saving of internal space, instead using digital correction and software algorithms. Distorsion (curvature of straight lines) at the edges of the frame is a natural physical phenomenon for wide angles, which in normal modes the camera tries to correct, and in fish-eye mode, on the contrary, enhances.
- 📸 Use of ultra-wide-angle module with viewing angle 120° more.
- 📐 Application of software interpolation to enhance distortions at the edges.
- 🖼️ Lack of optical stabilization on some budget ultra-wide modules.
Importantly, the quality of the final image depends on the aperture and size of the matrix. Flagship models of the Mi or Xiaomi Number series often have more aperture lenses, which allows shooting in low light conditions without loss of detail. Budget devices can suffer from the appearance of digital noise and reduced perimeter sharpness when activating maximum expansion.
Where to find settings in the Camera app
Finding a cherished feature in the MIUI or HyperOS interface can take some time, as manufacturers often change the layout of items. In the standard Camera app, the Fisheye mode may not be a separate button on the home screen, most often hidden in additional menus or available through the Video mode, rather than Photos.
To activate, you need to go to video mode and select resolution. Often the option only appears when you select certain parameters, for example, 4K 30fps or 1080p 60fps. Some versions of the firmware require you to click three dots in the corner of the screen or swipe to the right to open an extended menu of filters and effects.
If the built-in tools can not find the function, you should pay attention to third-party applications or modes "Pro". In manual mode Pro Mode sometimes available settings that allow you to change the aspect ratio and the degree of digital zoom, which indirectly affects the perception of the viewing angle.
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Try turning your smartphone horizontally with the camera on – sometimes additional modes are only displayed in landscape mode.
Using the Video Mode for the Fisheye Effect
The most common fish-eye effect in Xiaomi devices is in video mode, which is due to the popularity of action cameras, which traditionally use such optics to capture maximum space. To activate this mode, open the camera app and switch to the Video tab.
Next, you'll find an icon that represents aspect ratio or additional effects. On some models, such as the Redmi Note series, you'll click on the More button in the bottom menu, which can be a "Wide angle" or an icon that resembles an eye. When switching to an ultra-wide-angle lens (usually 0.6x), the image can automatically acquire a characteristic bulge.
⚠️ Note: When shooting video in ultra-wide angle mode with high resolution (4K/8K) Smartphone processor can get significantly warmer, and recording time is limited 10-15 minutes to avoid overheating.
Also, you should note that in video mode, optical stabilization is often disabled when using an ultra-wide module, unless it is provided by the design, this can lead to "twitching" when walking.
☑️ Setup before shooting the video
Software processing and filters
If your smartphone hardware doesn’t support native fish-eye mode or you want to get a more pronounced effect on photos, software solutions come to the rescue. Xiaomi’s built-in gallery editor has a powerful set of filters that can mimic this effect.
After you take a regular wide-angle shot, open it in the gallery, click "Change" and go to the filter section. Look for categories like "lens", "distortion" or "Retro." Filters with names like "Fish", "Wide" or "Bubble" add a characteristic rounding of edges. The advantage of this approach is that you can adjust the intensity of the effect with a slider, which is often not possible when shooting.
| Type of effect | Where to find out. | Impact on quality |
|---|---|---|
| Native 0.6x | Zoom switch in the camera | High, optical. |
| The filter in the cell | Filters menu -> Lens | Medium, digital processing |
| Post-employment | Gallery Editor / Third-Party Appendices | Depends on the source. |
Using third-party apps from the Google Play store, such as Fisheye Camera or analogues, gives you even more control over parameters, they allow you to adjust the degree of distortion, add vignetting and change the color gamut in real time. However, the quality of the final file may be inferior to the native camera module due to the nature of the third-party software with the device drivers.
Shooting with an ultra-wide-angle lens
By itself, an ultra-wide-angle lens (marked 0.5x or 0.6x) already produces a picture very close to the fish eye, especially if you hold the camera close to the subject, and that's the big secret: the closer you bring your smartphone to the subject, the more distortions around the edges of the frame become, creating the desired dramatic effect.
For best results, use the rule of thirds by placing the main subject in the center of the frame, where distortion is minimal, and leave the background on the periphery, where the magic of expanding space works, which is ideal for shooting architecture, interiors and group photos in cramped spaces.
Why are the edges of the frame soapy?
Remember to wipe the lens before shooting. In ultra-wide angles, any contamination, fingerprints or drops of fat are immediately visible, especially if there are bright light sources in the frame that turn into ugly glare. Pure optics are the key to contrasting and clear images.
Frequent problems and their solution
Users often experience a 0.6x switching button, but the fish-eye effect doesn’t appear as in advertising photos, which may be due to software limitations in a particular version of MIUI. In some regions, functionality is being cut down due to licensing restrictions or calibration features.
Another common problem is that you get blue or purple haze in the corner of a shot against bright light, which is an optical defect called "ghosting" or glare, and it's hard to remove it from the software, so try to change your angle or cover your hand with a light source if it's behind the scenes.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use digital zoom with ultra-wide-angle mode if you want to keep the fish-eye effect. Digital zoom just cuts and stretches the picture, destroying the width of the viewing angle.
If the camera spontaneously switches from a wide angle to the main module, check the macro settings. If the smartphone is too close to the object, the system can automatically activate the macro lens (if any) or switch to the digital crop of the main sensor, which will change the perspective.
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The fisheye effect in Xiaomi is most often a combination of a physical ultra-wide 0.6x module and software correction available in video or filter mode.