Extract on Xiaomi phone: designation, configuration and secrets of use

Have you ever tried to capture a nightscape or a moving object on Xiaomi, but the photos are either too dark or blurry? The reason for this is often the wrong shutter speed, a key parameter that determines how much light will hit the camera matrix. In this article, we will not only examine how shutter speed is denoted in the interface of Xiaomi smartphones (hint: this is not always obvious!), but also learn how to control it for professional shots.

Many users mistakenly think that shutter speed is just a "night mode" or "long exposure," which actually works all the time, even when you're taking photos in daylight.+ or POCO F5 So the shutter speed settings are so deep that it can be hard to find them without guidance!

What is shutter speed and why it is important for photos on Xiaomi

Shutter speed (or exposure time) is the length of time that the camera shutter stays open, allowing light to be transmitted to the sensor, measured in seconds or fractions of a second (e.g., a camera shutter, 1/1000s 30"). The longer the exposure, the more light will hit the matrix, but the higher the risk of getting a β€œlubricated” picture due to the trembling of hands or movement of objects.

In Xiaomi smartphones, shutter speed automatically adjusts to the shooting conditions, but manual settings give incredible opportunities:

  • πŸŒƒ Night shooting: long shutter speed (1 to 30) allows you to "dial" enough light for clear shots in the dark.
  • πŸ’¨ Dynamic scenes: short exposure (1/1000(c) β€œFreezes” traffic, ideal for sport or children.
  • 🌊 Blurring effects: average exposure (1/30(c) creates smooth lines near water or clouds.

However, not all Xiaomi models support manual shutter speed settings in standard mode. 10A or POCO M4 Pro for this will need to switch to Professional mode (which we will talk about below), but flagships like Xiaomi 14 or Mix Fold 3 offer advanced options even in automatic mode.

⚠️ Note: When shooting with a shutter speed longer 1/30c make sure to use a tripod or a stable support, even a slight trembling of the hands will lead to blurring of the frame.

How the shutter speed in the interface Xiaomi: decoding symbols

In Xiaomi smartphones, the shutter speed designation depends on the shooting mode and the device model. Here are the main options you may encounter:

Mode of shooting.Designation of exposureExample of valuesXiaomi models
Automatic.Not clearly displayed.β€”All models.
Professional (Pro)Number with the symbol "(seconds) or / (share of a second)1/1000, 30"Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F/X
Night mode.Time-stamped slider or icon ⏱️1c, 5c, AutoXiaomi 12S Ultra, Mix Fold 2
Additional Annexes (GCam, Footej)The scale with divisions or digital value0.5s, 1/250Any models with support Camera2 API

In Professional Mode (available in the standard camera app), shutter speed is denoted as 1/500, 1/125 etc. for shorter values or 1", 2" Important: in some firmware (e.g., long ones, MIUI 14 for the global version) the shutter speed scale can be hidden behind an additional swipe on the screen.

In Night mode, shutter speed is often disguised as a "Brightness" or "Exposure Time" slider. For example, in Xiaomi 13 Pro, when you activate night shooting, an icon appears at the bottom of the screen. ⏱️ β€” tap on it opens the time selection from 1 to 30 seconds.

πŸ“Š What mode of photography do you use more often?
Automatic.
Professional (Pro)
Nighttime
Portrait
Other

Where to find shutter speed settings on different Xiaomi models

The location of shutter speed settings varies depending on the model and version. MIUI. Here are the steps for the most popular devices:

Xiaomi 13/14 series, Mix Fold 3, 12S Ultra

1. Open the Camera app.

2. Fly through the shooting modes left to Professional (or Pro).

3.In the bottom panel, find the icon ⏱️ Or the S (seconds) inscription. Touch it.

4. Move the slider or select a value from the list (from 1/4000down 30").

Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/F5, Xiaomi 11T

1. Launch the camera and go to More β†’ Professional.

2.In the upper right corner, tap the icon βš™οΈ (setting).

3. Activate the Manual Shutter Option (if disabled).

4. Now in the main interface will appear scale with shutter speed values.

Budget models (Redmi) 10/9, POCO M4/M5)

In these smartphones, manual shutter speed settings are often absent from the standard app.

  • πŸ“± Install Google Camera (GCam) with support for your model (e.g., version from the Google Camera). BSG Wichaya).
  • πŸ”§ Use third-party apps like Manual Camera or Footej Camera.
  • πŸŒ™ In night mode, try holding the down button – some firmware allows you to manually set the exposure time.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for shooting with long exposure

Done: 0 / 4

How to choose the right shutter speed for different scenes

Choosing the optimal shutter speed depends on lighting, object movement and desired effect. Here are the universal recommendations for Xiaomi smartphones:

The scene.Recommended excerptAdvice
Daylight (landscapes, architecture)1/500s – 1/125sUse the low. ISO (100-200) noise-free.
Portrait in good lighting1/200s – 1/60sMake sure that your face is not overcast.
Night City (Lighting neon signs)1/4s – 2"Take it down. RAW post-processing.
Starry Sky (astrophoto)10" – 30"Use apps like AstroCamera to fine-tune.
Moving water (rivers, waterfalls)1/15s – 1/2sExperiment with different values for the effect of silk water.

To capture movement (for example, a running person or a cycling person) use the rule "1/speed of object. If a person runs at speed ~5 m/s, start with the shutter speed. 1/500c and adjust according to the result.

In night mode, Xiaomi often automatically selects shutter speeds of up to 6 seconds, but you can increase it manually, for example, to capture the Milky Way you need:

  1. Set the shutter speed 20-30 seconds.
  2. Lock your smartphone on a tripod.
  3. Use a remote or timer to avoid shaking when pressed.
  4. Shoot in format RAW for further processing in Lightroom.

πŸ’‘

If your Xiaomi model does not have manual shutter speed settings, try to turn on the Document mode (in some firmware it allows you to fix exposure).

Common errors in working with exposure and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that spoil the frame, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

  • πŸ“Έ Lubricated footage: Shutter speed is too long for manual photography. Solution: Use a tripod or shorten exposure time to 1/30s.
  • β˜€οΈ Overlights: Too long exposure in bright light.Solution: Reduce shutter speed or close the aperture (if possible).
  • πŸŒ‘ Noise in pictures: Long exposure + high-end ISO. Solution: Downsize ISO before 100-400 and use a tripod.
  • πŸ”‹ Battery discharge: Long shutter speeds put a lot of stress on the battery.Solution: Connect charging or use powerbank.

Another common problem is the wrong white balance at long exposures, and in the dark, Xiaomi's camera can misidentify color temperature, making the images too cold or warm to avoid this:

  1. Switch to Professional Mode.
  2. Find the white balance option (usually indicated as WB).
  3. Select the value 3500K–4500K for warm lighting or 5500K–6500K day-time.

⚠️ Note: When shooting with a shutter speed longer than 10 seconds on some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro) it may trigger an automatic screen shutdown. To avoid this, increase the lock time in the display settings.

Secret chips: how to use shutter speed for creative shots

Shutter speed is not only a technical parameter, but also a powerful tool for creativity. Here are some of the non-obvious tricks that work on Xiaomi smartphones:

  • πŸŽ† Light Painting: Set the shutter speed 10-30 In total darkness, paint in the air with a flashlight or a luminous object. Experiment with flowers (use this method). RGB-ribbon).
  • πŸš— Light tracks of cars: Take off moving cars at night with shutter speed 2-5 Set the camera perpendicular to the road. Use the low-level camera. ISO (100-200) frame-clean.

The effect of the "disappearing" person:

  1. Set the shutter speed. 5-10 seconds.
  2. Ask the person to stand in place, take a step to the side and freeze.
  3. In the photo, it will be translucent.

For astrophotography on Xiaomi (for example, shooting the moon or stars), you can use the AstroCamera or NightCap app, which allows you to set shutter speeds up to 60 seconds and automatically add several frames to reduce noise.

How to shoot β€œstar tracks” on Xiaomi?
This will require a series of photos with exposure. 20-30 seconds (ISO 800–1600), And then you can combine them into StarStaX or Sequator!

Applications for extended exposure control on Xiaomi

If the standard Xiaomi camera features don’t suit you, look for third-party apps that offer flexible shutter speed settings, support. RAW extra functions:

AnnexFeaturesXiaomi supportReference
Google Camera (GCam)Night mode with manual shutter speed, Astrophotography, HDR+Most models (correct version required)celsoazevedo.com
Manual CameraComplete control of exposure, ISO, Focus. Support. RAW.All models with Camera2 APIGoogle Play
Footej CameraSimple interface, manual settings, long shutter speed timer.All models.Google Play
ProCam XProfessional instruments, histogram, bracketing.Flagships and the mid-segmentGoogle Play
AstroCameraSpecializes in astrophotography, support for long exposures.Models with a good matrix (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra)Google Play

Before installing third-party apps, check if your model supports Camera2 API. For that:

  1. Install the Camera2 API Probe app from Google Play.
  2. Run it and check the lines. LEGACY, LIMITED, FULL.
  3. For full manual photography, a status is required. FULL or LEVEL_3.

πŸ’‘

The GCam app often gives better nighttime results than the standard Xiaomi camera, but requires proper setup (e.g., turning off). HDR+ long-exposure).

FAQ: Frequent questions about exposure on Xiaomi

Can you install a shutter speed longer than 30 seconds on Xiaomi?
In a standard camera app, the maximum shutter speed is usually limited to 30 seconds, but with third-party applications (such as Manual Camera or Camera). FV-5) You can set shutter speeds up to 60 seconds or more if your model supports the same. Camera2 API level FULL. For even longer exposures (for example, for astrophotography), use Bulb mode (if available) or take a series of pictures with subsequent mixing in the program.
Why do long exposure photos turn out green or purple?
This is due to overheating of the matrix or the wrong white balance. At long exposures, the sensor heats up, which leads to color noises. To reduce the effect: ISO minimally (100-200). Use external cooling (such as a fan). RAW And you can fix the color in Lightroom, and you can also check if Night Mode is on, and it can automatically adjust the white balance.
How to make the shutter speed shorter than 1/4000Xiaomi?
The shortest shutter speed in most Xiaomi smartphones is limited by the value 1/4000This is due to the technical limitations of mobile arrays. If you want shorter shutter speeds (for example, for very fast objects), try: Use burst mode, which takes many frames in a row with minimal shutter speed. Reduce exposure manually in Professional mode (though it won't change the physical shutter speed, it will only darken the frame) Apply an external flash to freeze the movement.
Why is there no shutter speed option in Professional Mode?
If there is no shutter speed scale in Professional Mode, the reasons may be as follows: Your Xiaomi model does not support manual tuning (relevant for low-end devices like Redmi). 9A). In the camera settings, the option Manual settings is disabled (check in Settings). β†’ You have a lightweight version of the firmware installed (for example, MIUI Lite. The camera app is not updated (check the relevance in Google Play or App Store). Solution: update the software, install a third-party camera (such as GCam) or check for root rights (on some firmware, manual settings appear after unlocking the bootloader).
Can I use shutter speed when shooting video on Xiaomi?
In the standard Xiaomi camera app, manual shutter speed settings for video are not available. However, there are workarounds: Use apps like Filmic Pro or Cinema. FV-5, Some models that support manual exposure when recording video, such as Xiaomi 13 Pro mode allows you to capture exposure, which indirectly affects shutter speed. For creative effects (e.g., long exposure timelapse), take a series of photos and then glue them together in a video using Adobe Premiere or CapCut. When you manually adjust the shutter speed for video, smoothness may deteriorate (due to a mismatch with the frame rate). = 1/(double the frame rate, for example, for 30 fps shutter speed should not be longer 1/60s.