How to use the camera Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: a complete guide with secrets

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a budget smartphone with a camera that can surprise even experienced photographers. Its main module 48 MP (with pixel binning technology up to 12 MP) paired with an ultra-wide-angle lens, macro camera and depth sensor opens up a lot of opportunities for creativity. However, many users use only 20% of the functionality, unaware of hidden settings and modes.

In this article, we'll explore not only the basic features of the Redmi 8 Pro camera, but also advanced techniques: how to set up manual mode for shooting in difficult conditions, what tricks to use for night photography, and how to get around the limitations of standard software. You'll learn why sometimes 48-megapixel shots are worse than 12-megapixel shots, and how to avoid this. Ready to unlock the potential of your smartphone?

1. Familiarization with the Redmi 8 Pro camera modules: what each lens can do

The Redmi 8 Pro is equipped with a quad camera, but not all modules are equally useful.

• 📸 Core module 48 MPP (f/1.8) — The main "workhorse" of the smartphone, using pixel binning technology. 4 pixel 1), It allows you to get bright images even in low light, and in manual mode, you can turn off the binning and shoot in full resolution.
• 🌄 Ultra-wide angle 8 MPP (120°, f/2.2) — It's perfect for landscapes and architecture, but it suffers from edge distortions (called the fish-eye effect.
• 🔍 Macrocamera 2 MPP (f/2.4) — allows you to shoot objects from a distance 2–4 See quality modest, but for documentation of small details (e.g. serial numbers) suitable.
• 👤 The depth sensor is 2 MP, which is used only to create portrait blur (bokeh.

It's important to understand that the software processing in Redmi 8 Pro aggressively smoothes out details and overstates saturation. → Additionally. → Color style and choosing Standard instead of Living.

⚠️ Attention: The Macrocamera and depth sensor in the Redmi 8 Pro have fixed focus, which means that they cannot be “guided” on objects – the distance to the subject must strictly correspond to the range of 2-4 cm for macro and 50-150 cm for portrait mode.

2. Basic camera settings: what to change first

Before you dive into the shooting modes, you should optimize the camera settings for your needs. Many options are hidden in the depths of the menu, but adjusting them will greatly improve the result.

Open the Camera app, swipe left to Additional and go to Settings (cog icon).

• 🔄 The aspect ratio: by default is 4:3, but for social networks is more convenient 16:9 or 1:1 (square).
• 📏 Resolution: 48 MP (manual only) and 12 MP (binning) options are available for the main camera. For most tasks, 12 MP will be enough - files will be lighter, and the detailing will almost not suffer.
• 🌙 Night mode: Turn on the Auto option so that the camera itself offers to activate it in low light.
• 🎯 Focus: Turn off the car-HDR, If you shoot in dynamic scenes (for example, sports) – this will accelerate the capture rate.

We also recommend that you activate Grid (rule of thirds) and Horizon Level, which will help you avoid frame curves. These options are in the same settings menu, in the layout section.

3. Shooting modes: when and how to apply them

Redmi 8 Pro offers 10 offers+ It's a mode of shooting, but most users are limited to automatic modes, and yet each mode has its own nuances and is suitable for specific scenarios.

Special attention should be paid to the Professional mode, where you can manually configure:

• ISO (Light sensitivity – raise in dark rooms, but not above 3200, otherwise there will be noise.
• Shutter speed – use motion (e.g. water) to capture motion 1/1000c, for nightscapes — 1–4s.
• White Balance – Choose an incandescent lamp for warm light or Cloud for cold tones.

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To save the professional mode settings for future sessions, click on the Save icon (floppy disk) in the upper right corner after setting the settings.

4 Night photography: how to take bright photos in the dark

The night mode in the Redmi 8 Pro works surprisingly well for a budget smartphone, but requires the right approach. The main rule is: do not move the smartphone while shooting. Even a slight shaking of the hand will spoil the shot due to the long shutter speed.

The algorithm for the perfect night photography:

1. Fix the smartphone on a tripod or hide in a hard surface.
2. Open Night mode and wait until the camera offers to increase exposure time (the slider will appear at the bottom of the screen).
3. If an object is moving (like a car), reduce shutter speed to 1-2 seconds, sacrificing detail.
4. Press the descent and do not touch the device until the processing is complete (it can take up to 5 seconds).

To shoot the stars or fireworks, go to professional mode and install:

• ISO: 1600–3200
• Shutter speed: 8-15 seconds
• Focus: manually to infinity (move the slider to the end to the right)

⚠️ Note: When shooting in format RAW Night photos will look dull right on the smartphone screen — that's normal. Brightness and contrast will appear after processing in Lightroom or Snapseed.

5. Portrait Mode: How to achieve natural background blur

The portrait mode in Redmi 8 Pro uses depth sensor data, but often miscalculates the boundaries of the object.

1. Place the object 1-2 meters away from the camera, and too close or too far will lead to segmentation errors.
2. Make sure the background is contrasting (for example, dark hair on a light wall). If the background is monochromatic, the blur will look unnatural.
3. After shooting, edit the photo in the gallery: click Edit → Portrait and manually adjust the blur mask.

For creative shots, experiment with light sources:

• 💡 Counterlight (object illuminated from behind) – creates a dramatic silhouette.
• 🔦 Side light – emphasizes texture (such as wrinkles or clothing fabric).
• 🌈 Colored lamps – add atmospheres (e.g. blue light for cold portraits).

If the background blur seems too aggressive, reduce its intensity in the camera settings: → Portrait → The level of blur.

6. Video Shooting: Settings for a smooth picture

Redmi 8 Pro shoots video in resolution before 4K@30fps and 1080p@60fps, By default, only Full Stabilization is activated. HD. To improve the quality of rollers:

• 🎥 Permission and FPS: For dynamic scenes (sports, children) choose 1080p@60fps, for static (interviews) — 4K@30fps.
• 🔄 Stabilization: Enable Improved Stabilization in the video settings (only works in the video settings) 1080p).
• 🎤 Sound: For clean audio, connect an external microphone through USB-C Or use a lavalier microphone with an adapter.

Modes available for shooting in slow-motion 120fps (720p) and 960fps (480p). Keep in mind that 960fps Records only 0.5 seconds of video with a stretch of up to 16 seconds – use it for short-term moments (e.g., a burst ball).

⚠️ Attention: When shooting in 4K It turns off electronic stabilization, and autofocus is slower. If the picture is smoother than the resolution, stay on the radar. 1080p.

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For professional video, always use an external light source. The built-in flash of the Redmi 8 Pro is not designed for video and gives hard shadows.

7. Hidden features and life hacks for the camera

MIUI He hides a few useful things that few people know about:

• 🔍 Macro video: Video mode, bring the camera closer to the object by 2-4 cm - the smartphone will automatically switch to the macro camera. Quality is modest, but for social networks will do well.
• 📸 Shooting in RAW: In professional mode, click on the icon. RAW (The.dng files weigh. ~50 MB but give full control during processing.
• 🎭 Double exposure: in additional mode → Double exposure can be superimposed two frames on top of each other (for example, a silhouette at sunset).
• 🔄 Quick camera switching: swipe left/right twice to change the main and front cameras.

To speed up access to the camera, add its widget to the main screen or use a gesture: double press the power button (setting is included in Settings). → Lock screen → Quick camera launch).

If your camera starts to “glut” (for example, does not focus or gives a green hue), reset its settings: Camera settings → Restore the default settings.

8. Photo processing: programs and settings

Even the perfect shot often requires some reworking, and the following tools are suitable for owners of the Redmi 8 Pro:

When processing photos with Redmi 8 Pro, pay attention to:

• Noise Reduction: Use the Detailing Tool in Snapseed → Reduced noise (especially for nighttime photos).
• Color profile: In Lightroom, try the Camera Neutral profile for natural tones.
• Perspective: Google Photos Tool Pruning → The perspective will help straighten curved horizons.

If you're filming in RAW, Make sure to adjust white balance and exposure manually – automatic settings are often wrong.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions