How many megapixels the camera Xiaomi Redmi 8: a detailed analysis

In an era when pixel count has become one of the main marketing tools, owners and potential buyers of budget smartphones often wonder about the real possibilities of photography. Xiaomi Redmi 8, released as an affordable solution for the mass user, is equipped with a dual main camera, the parameters of which on paper look more than convincing. The main module is declared by the manufacturer as 12 MP, and the auxiliary one as 2 MP, but behind these dry numbers hides a more complex technical implementation.

Many users mistakenly believe that the number of megapixels is the only criterion for the quality of the image. In fact, the physical size of the matrix, the aperture of the lens and the software processing algorithms play no less a role. In this review, we will discuss in detail how many megapixels in the camera Xiaomi Redmi 8 actually works, how interpolation works and why software 48 MP can differ from hardware 12 MP.

It's worth noting that understanding the real-world configuration of the sensors will help you better customize the camera app and get better images in different lighting conditions, and we'll analyze the technical specifications, compare them to the actual results of the shooting, and give you recommendations on how to use this device to create content.

Technical characteristics of the main chamber

The core module of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 smartphone is based on the Samsung S5K2L3 sensor. Although marketing materials often emphasize support for artificial intelligence technology and background blur function, it is the physical parameters of the matrix that determine the basic image quality. The sensor is 1/2.8 inches in size and a pixel size of 1.22 microns, which is a standard indicator for the budget segment, but not a record.

The second module, often called the depth sensor, has a resolution of 2 MP. Its main task is to collect distance data to the object to implement the bokeh effect in portrait mode. It does not participate in the formation of the main image in standard shooting, but serves as an auxiliary tool for post-processing algorithms. It is the combination of data from the main 12-megapixel sensor and auxiliary sensor that allows the programmatic separation of the object from the background.

It's important to understand that the 12 MP resolution claimed is native, that is, the actual physical number of light-sensitive cells on the array, which provides enough detail to print A4 photos and view them comfortably on smartphone screens. However, when zooming or cropping a shot, detail can fall faster than on flagship models with larger sensors.

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The main camera Redmi 8 gives a native resolution of 12 MP, and the second module 2 MP is used exclusively to determine the depth of field.

Front camera and its capabilities

The selfie camera in Xiaomi Redmi 8 also has a resolution of 8 MP. It is based on the OmniVision OV8856 sensor, which is widely used in devices of the mid- and budget price segment. The resolution of 8 megapixels allows you to get pictures with sufficient detail for social networks, but it is worth considering the features of the software when processing such photos.

The front camera is devoid of autofocus, which is typical for this price category. The focal length is fixed, so you need to be at a certain distance from the lens to get a sharp shot. Beautify's AI software algorithms actively interfere with the shooting process, trying to smooth the skin and improve color reproduction, which does not always give the desired result for users who prefer naturalness.

• 📸 The resolution of the front camera is 8 MP with aperture f/2.0.
• 🤳 Supported portrait mode with software background blur.
• 🎥 Video recording is possible in resolution before 1080p 30 frames per second.
• 🌙 Built-in screen flash helps when shooting in the dark.

Despite its modest performance, the front camera is capable of taking perfectly acceptable pictures in good daylight. However, when there is a lack of light, noise begins to appear, and detail drops sharply due to noise cancellation. The camera's capabilities are more than enough for video calls, but it may not be enough to create professional content.

Shooting modes and program functions

The MIUI camera software offers a wide range of modes to enhance the functionality of the standard 12-megapixel sensor, including Portrait, Night, Professional and various filters, and Scene Detection AI mode, which automatically detects scenes (food, nature, documents) and adjusts exposure and saturation settings.

In professional mode (Pro), the user can manually control shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focus, which allows, for example, to take long shutter speed pictures of the sky or freeze motion. However, the lack of optical stabilization (OIS) in Redmi 8 makes long exposure shooting a difficult task, requiring absolute immobility of the smartphone.

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Use a tripod or wrap your phone around a stationary subject when shooting in night or long exposure to avoid lubricating frames.

Redmi 8's Night mode is a series-based, fold-up mode to reduce noise and brightness. Although it's far from flagship, it's a usable result for the public sector in low light, and algorithms try to pull shadows, but often at the expense of detail in light areas.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in Portrait mode using the second camera module, make sure that the object is 0.5-2 meters away. If you get too close or far, the blur effect may not work or be applied incorrectly.

Video: Resolution and Stabilization

Video recording capabilities in Xiaomi Redmi 8 are limited software and hardware. The maximum available resolution is 1920×1080 (Full HD) at 30 frames per second. shooting in 4K or even 60 frames per second in the standard camera app is not provided, which is a typical limitation for the Snapdragon 439 processor installed in this model.

Lack of optical stabilization (OIS) Compensated with electronic stabilization (EIS), It's only available in some modes, and it often causes cropping, and when the camera is moving actively in the video, you can see jerks and the jelly effect that's characteristic of the camera. CMOS-The sound is recorded through a built-in microphone, the quality of which depends on the environmental conditions.

For creating content for social networks such as Instagram Stories or TikTok, video quality may be sufficient, especially in good lighting. However, for serious video shooting dynamic scenes, the capabilities of Redmi 8 will not be enough. It is also important to consider that when recording video in high resolution, the device can significantly heat up, which will lead to automatic performance decline.

Comparison with competitors and real quality

Compared to rivals in the same price range, such as the Samsung Galaxy A10 or Realme C2, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is in the middle of the spectrum. However, Xiaomi has traditionally offered more advanced camera software that often gives you a win over the gear and dynamic range. The real quality of the images often depends not on the number of megapixels, but on the HDR algorithms.

In good lighting, 12-megapixel images look detailed and have rich colors. However, it is worth considering that the digital zoom in Redmi 8 is software-based and simply cuts the central part of the frame, which leads to rapid loss of quality. There is no optical zoom in the device, so you should not count on high-quality approximation of objects.

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The main advantage of Redmi 8 over competitors is the presence of a full night mode and ample opportunities for manual configuration in Pro-mode.

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