Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 camera: dual module capabilities and shooting secrets

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, which came to market as an offshoot of the popular Note series, has long held the status of the “core of the budget segment.” However, the key question for most potential buyers was the quality of photography. Many users are still looking for information about what the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 camera is capable of in today’s environment, when the requirements for mobile photography have increased significantly.

In this review, we will take a closer look at the hardware of the optical unit, the software algorithms for processing MIUI and the real-world capabilities of sensors. You will learn why this smartphone is often compared to more expensive models and what hidden features can unlock its potential. It is important to understand that at a low price, the device offers functionality that was previously only available in flagship lines.

It is worth noting that the specifications can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware. Global and Chinese versions (China ROM) can have different noise reduction algorithms and color reproduction settings. So when buying a used device or flashing it, you should consider this nuance to get exactly the result that you expect.

Technical characteristics of the optical unit

The core module of the smartphone is based on the Sony IMX363 sensor or its Samsung S5K5E8 counterpart depending on the batch and region. It is a 12-megapixel matrix with a pixel size of 1.4 microns, which is an excellent indicator for a budget class. Larger area of the light-sensitive element allows you to capture more light, which is critical for night shooting and low light conditions.

The main lens has an aperture of f/1.9, which provides good background blur even without using the software portrait mode. The Dual Pixel autofocus system allows you to focus almost instantly, which is rare for devices of this price range. Paired with the main module is a 5-megapixel depth of field sensor, which is responsible for building a depth map.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the Redmi Note 5 with the Redmi Note 5 Pro. In the global version, a lesser-quality sensor is often installed, whereas in the Pro version or the Chinese version there is a full-fledged Sony. IMX363.

The front camera is also noteworthy, with a 13-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and support for artificial intelligence technology to enhance portraits, and an infrared sensor that allows you to unlock the device in the face even in complete darkness, which is unique to this price segment.

• 📸 Primary sensor: 12 MPP, f/1.9, Dual Pixel AF
• 📏 Additional module: 5 MP, depth of field
• 🤳 Front camera: 13 MPP, f/2.0, IR illumination
• 🎥 Video footage: Full HD 30 frames per second

Hardware features and quality of optics

The quality of the image is directly dependent not only on the matrix, but also on the quality of the optics. The Redmi Note 5 uses a 5-lens lens that minimizes geometric distortion at the edges of the frame. However, in bright counterlight, you can see glare characteristic of plastic lens design elements.

Image stabilization in this device is implemented exclusively by software methods (EIS). Optical stabilization (OIS) is absent here, which imposes restrictions on shooting video in motion. When shaking hands, the picture can twitch, although algorithms try to smooth out the jerks by cutting the edges of the frame.

The flash module deserves special mention: the two-color LED flash provides a more natural color reproduction when shooting in the dark than conventional monochrome counterparts, and helps avoid the effect of red eyes and skin re-light at close distances.

Software and shooting modes

The camera interface in the MIUI shell offers many tools for creativity. The basic Photo mode works fast and uses HDR algorithms to expand dynamic range. Automation often over-subordinates with saturation, making the sky unnaturally blue and the grass poisonous green.

Portrait uses telephoto lens data to create a bokeh effect. Algorithms are good at cutting objects along a contour, but they can go wrong on complex boundaries, like hair or transparent objects. The blurring force is controlled by a slider, which allows you to achieve the desired artistic effect.

For those who like manual tuning, Pro mode is available, allowing you to control shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focus manually, which allows you to do long shutter speeds to shoot light plumes or freeze motion using short shutter speeds.

• 🌙 Night mode: makes multiple frames with different exposure
• 🎨 Filters: built-in color profiles for quick processing
• 📐 Grid and level: help to build the composition of the frame
• 🎞 Panorama: creating wide-angle images

It's important to note that noise-cancellation algorithms work. At ISO above 800, porridge from compression artifacts begins to appear in the photo. The camera aggressively lubricates fine details in an attempt to hide digital noise, resulting in loss of texture of objects.

Photo Quality Comparison: Day vs. Night

During the day, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 delivers great results: the center detail is high, the colors are saturated. Dynamic range allows you to save details in both lights and shadows, although in complex contrast scenes there can be dips.

At night, things change dramatically, because without optical stabilization and with a small matrix, the smartphone has to pick up the ISO, which causes noise, and the Night Mode algorithm tries to compensate for this with a series of frames, but for a quality result, you need to hold the phone absolutely still.

⚠️ Warning: When shooting night scenery, be sure to use a tripod or encircle your phone against a stationary object. It is almost impossible to make a clear shot with your hands in Night Mode mode.

In artificial lighting, the camera behaves unstable indoors, and the white balance can float, especially if the frame has mixed light sources (incandescent lamps and LEDs), and it is recommended to manually set the white balance in the settings if the scene is complex.

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To improve nighttime photos, use third-party apps like GCam (Google Camera), and Redmi Note 5 ports work wonders with noise reduction and dynamic range.

Video shooting capabilities and stabilization

Video mode in Redmi Note 5 is limited to Full HD (1920×1080) at 30 frames per second. recording in 4K or 60 FPS is not supported hardware, which is a significant limitation for those who plan to edit video.

Electronic stabilization (EIS) works mediocrely, and when you walk, you see the jelly effect, where vertical objects in the frame are bent, and when you write, you only get digital zooming, which severely degrades the image quality, turning the image into a set of blurry pixels.

The sound is recorded through a built-in microphone that is located on the bottom end. When shooting video in windy weather, the sound will be greatly blown out. The use of an external headset or windscreen is not provided for by the design, so you should avoid shooting outdoors on windy days.

• 🎬 Maximum authorization: 1080p (Full HD)
• 🎞 Frequency of frames: 30 FPS
• 🔇 Sound: Mono, noise-canceling recording
• ⏱ Timelapse: Available in the standard app

Secrets and hidden functions of the camera

Many users don't know that Redmi Note 5 has a hidden mode called "Extended Portrait" to activate, you go to the settings and turn on the "Portrait Improvement" option, which adds additional blur filters that mimic studio lighting.

There is also the possibility of shooting in RAW format, but it is only available through third-party applications or special camera modes. shooting in RAW allows you to get a file without processing the algorithms of the smartphone, which gives a huge opportunity for post-processing in Lightroom or Photoshop.

Settings -> About Phone -> 7 times press "Version MIUI" -> Developer Menu -> Enable RAW in the camera (if available in modification)

Another life hack is about macro photography. The Redmi Note 5 doesn't have a separate macro lens, but the focal length of the main module allows you to bring the phone very close to the subject. If you carefully choose the angle and lighting, you can get detailed pictures of small objects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 remains one of the best budget for photos thanks to the Sony IMX363 sensor, but its full potential is revealed only when using third-party software and manual settings.