Xiaomi 12 cameras: a detailed overview of the capabilities

Xiaomi 12 has become one of the most talked-about flagships, largely due to its compactness and ambitious statements about the quality of photography. Users choosing this gadget are always worried about the question: whether the hardware stuffing meets high expectations, and what modules are installed in the case. Unlike many competitors, the company has relied on versatility and speed, not just a race of megapixels.

In this article, we will discuss which cameras are installed in the Xiaomi 12, how they interact with each other and what the main sensor Sony IMX766 is capable of in conjunction with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. You will learn about the nuances of the MIUI Camera software, the features of stabilization and whether you should expect this device to professional-level images in any lighting conditions.

Technical characteristics of the main module

The heart of the photographic system is the core module, which is based on the Sony IMX766 sensor. It is a time-tested matrix measuring 1/1.56 inches, which has previously proven itself in other flagship models of various brands. Resolution is 50 MP, which allows you to get detailed pictures with excellent dynamics. Optics is represented by a lens with a focal length of 26 mm and aperture f/1.88, consisting of 7 lenses.

An important feature is the presence of optical stabilization (OIS), which works in conjunction with an electronic algorithm to compensate for hand tremors. This is critical for low-light shooting and video recording. The PDAF (phase autofocus) focus system provides an instant response to the subject, which allows you to avoid missing sharp shots even dynamic scenes.

⚠️ Attention: Despite the presence OIS, when shooting macro or in conditions of extremely low light (at night), it is still recommended to use a tripod or to ring the phone against a stationary object to exclude microsmosis.

An image processor built into the Snapdragon platform processes data from the matrix using noise reduction algorithms. In standard mode, images are balanced, with natural colors, although sometimes the software tends to unnecessarily smooth out skin textures when portrait photography. For enthusiasts, a 50 MP mode is available that disables pixels from combining and produces a picture with maximum resolution, saving more detail in the shadows.

Wide-angle lens and macro shooting

The second most important element of the back panel is the ultra-wide-angle camera, which uses the Samsung S5K3L6 sensor with a resolution of 13 MP. The viewing angle is 123 degrees, which allows you to capture vast landscapes, interiors or large groups of people without having to go far back. The focal length is equivalent to 15 mm, and the aperture of the lens is f/2.4.

One of the key features of this module is support for macro photography. Formally, the smartphone does not have a dedicated macro lens, but the wide-angle camera can focus at a distance of only 2.5-7 cm from the object, which allows you to shoot small details from very close distance, getting the effect that is similar to the work of specialized macro lenses.

• 📸 The wide angle of 123 degrees is ideal for architectural photography and landscapes.
• 🔍 Macromode allows you to view the texture of the fabric or detail without loss of quality.
• 🌌 At night, the wide-angle camera switches to a special mode, improving exposure.

The quality of the images is great during the day, the colors are consistent with the main module, which is important for panoramas. However, in low light conditions, the detail drops, and noise cancellation begins to work more aggressively, blurring small details.

Telephoto: myth or reality?

One of the most common questions users ask is, “Is Xiaomi 12 telephoto lens?” The answer needs clarification. This model lacks the classic 2x, 3x, or 5x periscopic zoom lens that we’re used to seeing in Pro versions or competitors. Instead, Xiaomi engineers have gone the way of using digital cropping from the main high-resolution sensor.

2x zoom (2x) mode works by cropping the central part of the Sony IMX766 matrix. Since the main sensor has 50 MP, trimming to 12.5 MP (the equivalent of a telephoto lens) should theoretically give a good result. In practice, quality depends on lighting: in bright daylight, the pictures look detailed and sharp, almost not inferior to optical zoom.

However, if you plan to shoot remote objects, animals or architecture frequently from a long distance, the lack of optical approximation can become a limitation. Digital zoom above 2x (5x, 10x) leads to noticeable loss of quality, the appearance of compression artifacts and "soapiness" of the image. For the basic user, this is a compromise for the sake of compactness of the case, but demanding photographers can notice the difference.

💡

The Xiaomi 12 does not have an optical telephoto lens; the 2x zoom is implemented programmatically through the crop of the main matrix, which gives a good result only in good lighting.

Front camera and video recording

For selfies and video calls in Xiaomi 12 installed front camera with a resolution of 32 MP. As a sensor used Samsung S5K3P9 with a pixel size of 0.7 μm. the Lense has aperture f/2.45. The camera supports night shooting mode, HDR and various filters beautification, which can be customized to your liking.

As for video capabilities, the core module is able to write video in resolution. 8K upon 24 It's also available in frames per second. 4K upon 30 and 60 And the big advantage of this is that we have this recording support. 1080p upon 120 and 240 The front camera is limited to a frame per second to create slow-motion video. 1080p upon 30/60 staffing.

The video stabilization on the main module works impressively, especially in Super Steady mode, which crops the image heavily but produces an effect close to using a gimbal.The sound when recording video is stereo, with good wind noise cancellation, which is rare in this class of devices.

Software capabilities and shooting modes

The hardware is only half the success. The second half is in the MIUI Camera software. The application interface is minimal, the main modes are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The options available are Pro, Night, Portrait, Video, More (where the Long Shutter, Document, Panorama modes are hidden).

Night Mode is automatically activated when there is no light, or can be manually activated. The algorithm takes multiple images with different exposures and glues them together, significantly brightening the shadows and keeping the details in the lights. However, it is worth remembering that processing takes time, and shooting moving objects in this mode can lead to lubrications.

• 🌙 Night mode significantly improves detail in the dark, but requires immobility.
• 🎨 The “Profi” mode allows you to manually configure ISO, exposure, white balance and focus.
• 📄 Documents Mode automatically aligns perspective and increases text contrast.

Also worth noting is the Vlog mode, which allows you to use various filters and transitions in real time when recording videos, which makes it easier to create content for social networks without the need for post-processing on a computer.

Comparison with competitors and final conclusions

Analyzing which cameras the Xiaomi 12 got, you can not help but draw parallels with competitors in this price segment, such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13. Xiaomi wins in the speed of the camera interface and the presence of macro-mode at wide angle. However, the lack of optical zoom is a noticeable step backwards compared to some Chinese competitors, who already in basic models put telephoto lenses.

The core module based on the Sony IMX766 is a middle ground, which doesn't provide the level of detail and dynamic range that 1-inch sensors offer in Ultra versions, but consistently takes good pictures 95% of the time. Color rendering is set for the mass user: pictures are bright, contrast, ready to post on Instagram without filters.

⚠️ Note: When updating your firmware, photo processing algorithms may change. If you don’t like the color rendering after the update, try clearing the Camera app cache or installing a third-party app like Google Camera (GCam) for an alternative processing style.

At the bottom, the Xiaomi 12 camera unit is focused on everyday shooting, socialization and fast fixing of moments.It does not claim to be a professional tool for studio work, but completely covers the needs of the average user, offering a great balance between quality, speed and compactness of the case.

💡

To get the most natural colors, try in the camera settings to turn off “Improving photos” AI» (AI Scene Detection. It'll take away the saturation and make the images more realistic.