Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, was a real breakthrough for the brand β the first flagship with a Snapdragon 820 processor, a premium design and camera that finally managed to compete with the top solutions from Samsung and Apple. But what is its photo module today? Should we count on high-quality images in 2026 or is it already a museum exhibit? In this guide, we will analyze all the technical nuances, compare with modern budget professionals and reveal unique chips of MIUI software that make shooting on the Mi 5 unexpectedly flexible even after 8 years.
Let me warn you right away: if you're looking for dry numbers from the specs, you'll find them in the first section, but the real magic is in the details: how does 4-axis optical stabilization work when paired with software, why do night shots get better than many modern phones for the same money, and what settings should be changed manually for perfect color balance. And we also ran a relevance test β can the Mi 5 in 2026 replace the soap or DSLR for everyday shooting?
Technical characteristics of the camera Xiaomi Mi 5: what is hidden behind the numbers
The main module Xiaomi Mi 5 is equipped with a 16-megapixel sensor Sony IMX298 with a pixel size of 1.12 ΞΌm and an aperture of f/2.0. On paper, this is more modest than the flagships of 2023-2026, but there are nuances:
- πΉ 4-axis optical stabilization (OIS) β It's a rarity, even for today's public sector workers, and it compensates for the shaking of the hands not only horizontally/vertically, but also the rotational movements.
- πΉ Phase autofocus (PDAF) 6 lenses in the lens β provides fast focusing (0.1β0.3 seconds) even in low light conditions.
- πΉ Double. LED-flash with adjustable color temperature (from warm to cold light).
- πΉ Support for video recording in 4K (3840Γ2160) upon 30 Frequency per second and Full HD speedily 120 fps for slow motion photography.
The front camera is more modest β 4 MP with an aperture of f/2.0 and pixels of 2.0 microns. This allowed you to take a good selfie by the standards of 2016, but today such parameters are inferior even to budget smartphones with 8-13-MP frontals. However, there is one thing: auto-register beauty with a setting of intensity in real time β its algorithms still work better than many modern Chinese brands.
| Parameter | Xiaomi Mi 5 | Samsung Galaxy S7 (2016) | Redmi Note 12 (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main camera. | 16 MP, f/2.0, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS | 48 MP, f/1.8, without OIS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8" | 1/2.5" | 1/2.0" |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Front camera. | 4 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/1.7 | 13 MP, f/2.5 |
Fun fact: The Mi 5 uses sapphire glass to protect its lens β it's 9 times stronger than a regular gorrill and barely scratches β and it's true even today, when many phones get micro-damages to their lenses after a year of use.
Comparison with competitors of 2016 and modern state employees
In 2016, the Mi 5 competed with the Samsung Galaxy S7, iPhone 6s and LG G5. In terms of camera, it was inferior to the Korean flagship in detail (12 MP vs 16 MP), but beat the iPhone in autofocus speed and stabilization. And what does it look like against the background of budget smartphones in 2026?
We compared the Mi 5 to the Redmi Note 12 (released in 2023) in real-world conditions:
- π Daylight: Note 12 gives more detailed shots thanks to the 48-megapixel sensor, but Mi 5 better conveys natural colors without overworking.
- π Low light: Here's Mi 5 lead-in β OIS + PDAF It allows you to make less noise frames with exposure to 1/4 seconds against 1/10 note 12 stabilised).
- π₯ Video: 4K The Mi 5 looks softer due to the lack of electronic stabilization, but there are no artifacts of "jelly-effect", which sometimes appear on public sector employees.
β οΈ Note: If you plan to use the Mi 5 for shooting in 2026, keep in mind that its dynamic range is not the only one that you can use (HDR) In contrast lighting (for example, against the sun), shadow detail will be worked out worse than the Redmi Note 11 Pro or Poco. X5.
The main conclusion: Xiaomi Mi 5 can still compete with public sector in night shooting and portet mode (thanks to OIS), but loses in detail and processing HDR. If you need pictures for social networks β its capabilities are enough, but for professional shooting it is better in the direction of Poco F5 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+.
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Xiaomi Mi 5 in 2026 remains relevant for night shooting and video with stabilization, but inferior to modern public sector in detail and HDR.
Secret camera settings: how to make the most of the Mi 5
The standard camera app in MIUI hides a few useful features that you can manually enable. Here's what you need to configure to improve the quality of your shots:
- Turn off Scene Improvement (Settings β Camera β Scene Improvement) This algorithm often overstates saturation and contrast, making the colors look unnatural.
- Activate Manual Mode (Professional) and install: πΈ ISO: 100β400 (daylight), 800β1600 (night-time). β±οΈ Excerpt: 1/1000β1/500 moving-object, 1/30β1/4 static. π― Focus: Use manual focus for macro photography (minimum distance β 5 centimeter).
Settings β Image format β RAW
Lightroom
For the video, we recommend:
- π¬ Permits to be established 1080p@60fps instead 4K β So there's less heat and compression artifacts.
- π Disable "Noise Reduction" in the microphone settings - it often cuts high frequencies.
- π± Use an external microphone through USB-C (Like Boya. BY-M1), The microphone is not good at suppressing wind noise.
Turn off "Scene Improvement" | Activate Manual Mode (ISO 100-400 in the afternoon) |Save to RAW for post-processing |Video shoot at 1080p@60fps |Use external microphone to record sound-->
Another life hack: if your camera starts to "soap" at zoom, clean the lens with an alcohol napkin - over time, fat accumulates on the sapphire glass, which scatters light. Also check whether the "Digital Zoom" mode is turned on in the settings (it worsens the quality when approaching).
Xiaomi Mi 5 camera problems and how to solve them
Despite its reliability, the Mi 5 has typical "diseases" of the photo module, and here are the most common ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Blurred pictures in good lighting | Lens contamination or autofocus failure | Wipe the lens; reset the camera settings (Settings β Reset) |
| The green tint in the photo | Sensor or firmware malfunction | Update the software or re-flash the camera module |
| The camera is not focused close. | Dust under sapphire glass | Contact the cleaning service (do not independently understand!) |
| Camera app flies out | MIUI conflict or lack of memory | Clear the cache (Settings β Apps β Camera β Storage) |
One of the most unpleasant problems is the pink screen (all photos are pink or purple), a hardware defect in the matrix that often manifests itself after falls or overheating, solved only by replacing the module (cost ~ 2000-3,000 rubles in 2026).
β οΈ Note: If after the update MIUI The camera started to brake, try to roll back on the old firmware version (for example, MIUI New builds are optimized for modern phones and can conflict with the Mi 5 iron.
To diagnose hardware problems, use the camera test through the engineering menu:
- Dial in the dialer: ##4636##.
- Select Testing β Camera.
- Check if the image is correctly displayed from the main and front cameras.
If the test is missing artifacts, and in the standard application there is a problem in the software.
How to reset the camera settings to the factory
Best Apps to Shoot on Xiaomi Mi 5
The standard camera app from Xiaomi is limited in features. For advanced features, we recommend:
- π· Google Camera (GCam): Port for Mi 5 HDR+, Night Sight and better color processing can be downloaded here (see Snapdragon 820 version).
- π₯ Open Camera: Open source, support RAW, manually adjusting the shutter speed and ISO. Suitable for long exposure experiments.
- πΌοΈ Footage: Professional video app with support LOG-profile (allows you to adjust color flexibly during installation).
- π Night Camera: Specializes in night photography, uses noise reduction algorithms better than standard software.
To install GCam on Mi 5, you will need:
- Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings β Security).
- Download APK-file and install it.
- In GCam settings, enable HDR+ Enhanced and disable Zoom (it works worse than standard).
Important: Some versions of the GCam can cause the processor to overheat. If the phone starts to get too hot, limit the time for continuous shooting to 10-15 minutes or use the Open Camera.
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To shoot in RAW format in Google Camera, go to Settings β Additional β RAW format and select RAW + JPEG. This will allow you to save both files at the same time.
Shooting Improvements: What Really Works
Even with the Mi 5's age, it can be upgraded with accessories, and we tested a few options:
- π Lens nozzles: Macro (e.g. Xenvo Pro Lens) β allows you to shoot from a distance 1β2 See Wide-angle (up to) 120Β°) β Fish-eye is a fish-eye effect, but the quality depends on the manufacturer (<500 RUB) often give strong distortions on the edges.
- π‘ External LED panels (like Neewer 10) - help with indoor portraits. USB-C or battery-powered.
- π€ Microphones: Boya BY-M1 β lavalier (~1500 rubles. Rode VideoMicro - Directed microphone for video (~5000 rubles).
- π± Stabilizers: DJI Osmo Mobile 2 is a powered stabilizer for smooth video. Mini trackers (such as Zhiyun Smooth-Q) are a budget alternative.
One of the most useful accessories is a tripod with flexible legs (for example, the Joby GorillaPod), which allows you to attach the phone to any surface for long exposure or timelapses. For the Mi 5, a model with a load capacity of up to 1 kg will suit.
β οΈ Note: When using external microphones USB-C Turn off the built-in microphone in the camera settings, or you'll echo. In Open Camera, it's done in the audio menu. β Sound source.
If youβre shooting videos for YouTube or TikTok, pay attention to softbox lighting. Even budget options (like Neewer 480 LED for 3,000 rubles) will significantly improve the quality of portrait videos.