How many megapixels the camera Xiaomi Redmi 9A: specifications and secrets of high-quality photos

Why it’s important to know the resolution of the Redmi 9A camera

When choosing a budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9A, many users pay attention to the camera, one of the key elements for everyday use. The question of how many megapixels a Redmi 9A camera has is not accidental: this parameter depends on the detail of images, the ability to print photos and even the quality of video.

In this article, we will not only answer the main question (spoiler: the main camera has 13 MP), but also understand how this resolution affects the real quality of the photo, compare it with competitors in the price segment and give practical tips for improving shooting, you will learn why sometimes 13 megapixels can play 8-megapixel cameras of other smartphones, and how to properly configure the Redmi 9A for better results.

Special attention will be paid to hidden camera settings in MIUI, which 90% of users do not use, but which can significantly improve the quality of images even on a budget device.

Technical characteristics of the Redmi 9A camera: disassemble by shelves

The official specifications of Xiaomi Redmi 9A state: the main module is equipped with a sensor with a resolution of 13 megapixels (or rather, 12.48 MP with hardware binning up to 13 MP). This is a typical solution for the budget segment of 2020-2021, but it is important to understand what this number hides:

• 📸 Pixel size: 1.12 microns – a standard indicator for budget smartphones, affecting light absorption.
• 🔍 Aperture: f/2.2 — Average value that limits the amount of light that hits the sensor during the dark.
• 🎥 Video: Support for recording in resolution 1080p@30fps, without stabilization.
• 🔄 Front camera: 5 MP with aperture f/2.2 — enough for selfies in good lighting.

Importantly, the Redmi 9A uses a Samsung sensor (model S5K3L6) that has also been installed in other budget devices, such as the Realme C11 or Nokia 2.4.This means that the quality of the photo depends largely on software processing, not just hardware.

Interestingly, despite the 13 MP stated, the actual resolution of the photos when shooting in default mode is 4160×3120 pixels (≈12.98 MP), which is due to the fact that part of the pixels is used to improve noise reduction and distortion correction.

Comparison with competitors: 13 MP vs 8 MP vs 48 MP

Many users mistakenly believe that the more megapixels, the better the camera. In practice, this is not always the case. Let's compare the Redmi 9A with other budget smartphones:

As you can see from the table, the Redmi 9A with 13 MP loses the Galaxy A03 with 48 MP not because of resolution, but because of lower aperture (f/2.2 vs f/1.8) and worse noise processing. At the same time, the Nokia 2.4 with 8 MP shows better results in the dark due to lighter optics.

⚠️ Note: When shooting in 13 MP format, files are occupied ~4-5 MB of each photo, if your Redmi's memory 9A Full, we recommend switching to 8 MP mode in the camera settings – this will reduce the file size by half without critical quality loss.

Redmi 9A Photos: What to Expect in Practice

To objectively assess the capabilities of the Redmi 9A camera, consider typical shooting scenarios:

• 🌞 Daylight: In good lighting, the camera shows acceptable quality – detail is sufficient for social networks, colors are transmitted naturally, but the dynamic range is limited (the sky is often overlit).
• 🌃 Low light: The main problem is noise and blur, and noise reduction algorithms aggressively smooth out details, making the photos look "plasticine".
• 📸 Macro: There is no separate macro lens, but the main camera can focus at a distance ~8 see Quality mediocre - edge distortion and low sharpness.
• 🎭 Portrait mode: Software simulation of background blur. Works only in good lighting, often misreads object boundaries.

For clarity, we compare the images with the Redmi 9A and Redmi Note 10 (48 MP) in the same conditions:

It is important to understand that even 13 Redmi megapixels 9A Allows you to print photos up to the size 20×30 It's a non-pixelated view, but it's a really good idea:

1. Shoot in 13 MP format (not 8 MP).
2. Avoid digital zoom (which is a bad thing for quality).
3. Use third-party applications for shooting (for example, Google Camera with ported settings).

How to improve the quality of photos on Redmi 9A: 7 working ways

Even with a budget camera, you can get decent results if you know a few tricks.

Clean the camera lens (often left with prints)

Turn off "Improving Photos" in the camera settings

Use HDR only in bright sun

Shoot in 4:3 (not 16:9) for maximum resolution

Install Google Camera with settings for Redmi 9A

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Let's take a closer look at each item:

1. Cleaning the lens. It sounds trite, but 70 percent of users forget to wipe the camera. Dust and greasy spots scatter light, making the photos cloudy. Use a microfiber wipe (like a glasses wipe).
2. Turn off Photo Improvements. MIUI has the default Photo Improvement option (Camera Settings → Additional) that aggressively processes the images by adding noises and artifacts. Turn it off for more natural colors.
3. Proper use HDR. Regime. HDR It is only useful in contrast lighting (for example, the sun). + In cloudy weather or at night, it only worsens the quality by adding a "plasticine" effect.
4. 4:3 vs 16:9: When shooting at 16:9, the camera cuts the top and bottom of the frame, reducing the real resolution to ~9.7 MP. Always choose 4:3 for maximum detail.

For advanced users, we recommend installing Google Camera with config for Redmi 9A. This app handles dynamic range and noise better, but requires manual adjustment:

1. Download APK from celsoazevedo.com (Snapdragon 439).


2 Set the config "BSG_MGC_8.1.101_A10_V2.xml".




In the GCam settings, enable:




- HDR+ Enhanced




AWB (Auto White Balance) on "Cloudy"




- Turn off Sabre.

⚠️ Note: When using GCam on Redmi 9A You can have artifacts when you're shooting video. You can use the standard camera app for video, but you can turn off "Video Improvement." → Video → Quality of improvement).

Redmi 9A Video Shooting: Limitations and Opportunities

The Redmi 9A supports full HD (1080p) video recording at 30 frames per second, which sounds good on paper, but there are some nuances in practice:

• 🎬 Stabilization: No optical or electronic stabilization, and even with a slight shaking of the hand, the video is "shaking".
• 🔊 Sound: The microphone records a lot of noise, especially outside. The sound quality requires an external microphone (connects via a wire). USB-C).
• 🌅 Exposition: Auto exposure often floats when lighting changes (for example, when moving from room to street).
• 🔋 Heating: With a long record (more than 10 minutes), the smartphone warms noticeably, which can lead to a forced quality reduction.

To improve the video, we recommend:

1. Use a tripod or improvised support (for example, a stacked book).
2. Shoot in a horizontal orientation, even if the video is intended for TikTok or Instagram Stories (it is easier to cut later).
3. Enable the "High Dynamic Range Video" mode (Camera Settings → Video → HDR), but only in good lighting.
4. Use CapCut or KineMaster for editing – they are better at noise cancellation than the standard MIUI editor.

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If you need to record a long video (such as a lecture or event), reduce the resolution to 720p in the camera settings.

Frequent Redmi 9A Camera Problems and Solutions

Redmi 9A users often face typical camera problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If the camera stops working (black screen or “Can’t connect to the camera” error), try the following steps:

1. Reboot your smartphone.
2. Clear the cache and data of the camera application (Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage).
3. Check if any application is blocking access to the camera (such as an antivirus or permissions manager).
4. Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI (sometimes camera bugs are patched).
5. If nothing helps, reset to factory settings (Warning: This will delete all data!).

⚠️ Attention: If after a fall or impact the camera stopped focusing or colored spots appeared on the photo, this may indicate physical damage to the module.In this case, a replacement of the camera in the service center is required. The average cost of repair is 1,500-2,500 rubles.

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Most software problems with the Redmi 9A camera are solved by cleaning the cache or resetting the settings. Physical damage (for example, after a fall) requires professional repair.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the Redmi 9A camera