The flagship smartphone Xiaomi Mi 10, released in 2020, was a real breakthrough for the brand β especially in terms of photographic capabilities. Users are still arguing: should you buy this model for its camera, or modern public sector has already overtaken it in specs? In this article, we will not only answer the question βhow many megapixels does the camera Xiaomi Mi 10β, but also analyze how these numbers translate into real quality of images.
Spoiler: Megapixels are not the main metric. Much more important than matrix size, optical stabilization and processing algorithms. But let's take it in order. We'll analyze all the camera modules (main, ultra-wide, macro and front), compare them with the counterparts from Samsung and Apple of the same period, and also reveal hidden MIUI settings that will improve your photos by 30%. If you plan to buy a Mi 10 b/y or just want to squeeze the most out of his camera, this guide is for you.
Technical characteristics of the Xiaomi Mi 10 cameras: full decoding
The main module Xiaomi Mi 10 is equipped with a Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor with a resolution of 108 megapixels. But here is a caveat: the default smartphone takes pictures in the Pixel Binning 4-in-1 mode, combining 4 pixels into one. Thus, the final photo is saved in a resolution of 27 MP (6000Γ4500 pixels). Why is that?
It's about pixel size: with a full-size 108 MP, each pixel has a physical size of 0.8 ΞΌm, which is not enough for a good light collection. In Pixel Binning mode, the effective pixel size increases to 1.6 ΞΌm, improving detail in low light conditions. You can manually switch to a full 108 MP in the camera settings, which we will discuss below.
- πΈ Main camera: 108 MPP, f/1.69, 1/1.33", OIS, laser-focus
- π Ultra-wide module: 13 MPP, f/2.4, 123Β°, autofocused
- π Macro camera: 2 MPP, f/2.4, fixed-focus (3β5 centimeter)
- π€ Front camera: 20 MPP, f/2.3, 1/3.4"
β οΈ Note: In some regions (for example, in India) sold version of the Mi 10 with the main camera on 48 MP (sony sensor) IMX586). Check the model in the settings along the Settings path β The phone. β Full name of the model, if it says M2001J2E or M2001J2G β You have a 108MP version.
108 MP vs 48 MP: Which is better in practice?
On paper, 108 megapixels sounds impressive, but the difference with 48-MP sensors is not always obvious.
| Parameter | 108 MP (HMX) | 48 MP (IMX586) |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution with Pixel Binning | 27 MP (6000Γ4500) | 12 MP (4000Γ3000) |
| Pixel size | 0.8 ΞΌm (1.6 ΞΌm in Binning mode) | 0.8 ΞΌm (1.6 ΞΌm in Binning mode) |
| Dynamic range | 1 to 1.5 feet wider | Already in difficult scenes |
| Noise in the dark | More because of the smaller pixel size | Less under the same conditions |
| File weight (JPEG) | 15β25 MB (108 MP) | 6β10 MB (48 MP) |
The main advantage of the 108 MP sensor is that it can sprinkle photos without losing quality. For example, you can take a 108 MP picture, then trim it to 25% of its original size and get a picture equivalent to 27 MP. This is useful for shooting distant objects (for example, architecture or wildlife).
But in everyday scenes (portraits, street photography), the difference between 108 MP and 48 MP is minimal. Moreover, the Mi 10 with a 48 MP camera often shows better color reproduction thanks to the Sony IMX586 sensor, which is famous for its natural tones. If you don't plan to print pictures on billboards, 48 MP is enough for you.
How to turn the shooting into a full 108 megapixels?
By default, Xiaomi Mi 10 takes a photo in 27 MP. To activate full resolution:
- Open the Camera app.
- Tap the 108M icon in the top panel (near the HDR switch).
- If there is no icon, go to Camera Settings β Resolution β 108M.
Please note:
- π Photos in 108 MP take up 3-4 times more space (up to 30 MB per picture).
- β³ The processing time increases - after shooting you will have to wait 1-2 seconds.
- π Battery consumption increases by 15-20% with active use.
Use a memory card. UHS-II fast-record|
Turn off HDR manually (it degrades detail)|
Shoot in RAW format for post-processing |
Charge your phone at least 50% before the session-->
β οΈ Warning: 108MP turns off night mode and some effects AI. If you want bright night shots, stay on 27 MP with Night Mode 2.0 enabled.
Comparison with competitors: who won in 2020?
In the year of release, the Xiaomi Mi 10 competed with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (108 MP), iPhone 11 Pro Max (12 MP) and Huawei P40 Pro (50 MP). As DxOMark tests showed, megapixels are not the main criterion:
| Model | Megapixels. | DxOMark assessment | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 10 | 108 MP | 124 | Details, color reproduction |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | 108 MP | 122 | Zoom 100x, 8K video |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | 12 MPs | 117 | Video, stabilisation |
| Huawei P40 Pro | 50 MP | 132 | Night shot, zoom. |
The Huawei P40 Pro won with software and optical zoom, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max proved megapixels were not the main thing. Xiaomi Mi 10 took honorable second place, overtaking Samsung in detail, but losing in video (no 8K) and stabilization.
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To improve the video on the Mi 10, enable Ultrastabilization in the camera settings and shoot in 4K@30fps resolution β so there will be fewer artifacts.
Secret camera settings: how to improve your photo by 30%
MIUI hides a few useful features that aren't enabled by default. Here's what it's worth activating:
- AI Scene Detection (Settings) β AI camera: automatically adjusts the settings for the stage (sky, food, portrait).
- Heif format (Settings β Photo format β HEIF): compresses the photo without loss of quality (saves space).
- Manual Pro mode: allows you to set shutter speeds up to 32 seconds and ISO up to 6400.
- Disabling watermark (Settings β Watermark): By default, the Mi 10 adds the Xiaomi logo to the photo.
For shooting in RAW format (allows you to edit photos flexibly in Lightroom):
- Go to Settings β Photo format β RAW.
- In manual mode (Pro) will be the option to save RAW+JPEG.
How to shoot the starry sky on Mi 10?
Mi 10 camera problems and how to fix them
Despite the advanced hardware, the Mi 10 camera sometimes fails, and here are typical user complaints and solutions:
- π΄ Blurred low light photos: Turn on Night Mode 2.0 (moon icon) or use a tripod. If the problem persists, check if the lens is contaminated (wipe with microfiber).
- π’ Lights in the sky or windows: Activate HDR (in the camera settings) or shoot in RAW post-exhibition.
- π΅ Green: This is a well-known firmware bug. Update to the latest version or calibrate the color profile to Settings β Additionally. β Colour calibration.
- π£ Macro camera doesn't focus: Hold the object 3-5 cm away (fixed focus) If it doesn't help, clear the module of dust with compressed air.
β οΈ Attention: If after the fall of the phone, the camera began to issue an error "Can not connect to the camera", most likely, the train left. Do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - in the Mi 10, the camera is glued to the body, and if you do not repair it, you can damage the waterproofing.
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Clean the camera cache regularly through Settings β Apps β Camera β Memory β Clear the cache. This eliminates lags and shooting errors.