Xiaomi Mi 8: How many megapixels does the camera have and how does it affect the quality of the photo?

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship of 2018, which still remains relevant for many users due to balanced performance and a reliable camera. But how many megapixels is hidden under the dual module of this smartphone? This question worries both owners of the device and those who are considering buying it in the secondary market. In this article, we will not only reveal the technical specifications, but also examine how the resolution of the matrix affects the real quality of images, compare the Mi 8 with competitors of the time and give practical tips on how to set up the camera.

The debate over which is more important — megapixels or pixel size, optical capabilities or software processing — has not subsided for a decade. Xiaomi Mi 8 became one of the first smartphones of the brand, where the company relied on a dual camera with optical zoom, not just to increase resolution. But let’s understand what is hidden under the glass of its lenses and how this relates to modern standards.

Technical characteristics of the Xiaomi Mi 8 cameras: a full analysis

Xiaomi Mi 8 is equipped with a dual main camera, where each module performs its role.

• 📷 Core module: 12 MP, pixel size — 1.4 um, diaphragm f/1.8, optical stabilization (OIS), double-light
• 🔍 Telephoto-module: 12 MP, pixel size — 1.0 um, diaphragm f/2.4, zoom 2×
• 🤳 Front camera: 20 MP, diaphragm f/2.0, support HDR and portrait mode

Importantly, both rear modules have the same 12 megapixel resolution, but they differ in purpose. Sony's IMX363 main sensor is responsible for detailing and color reproduction, and telephoto is responsible for approximation without loss of quality. The front camera with a resolution of 20 MP at that time was one of the best in its class for selfies.

Fun fact: despite a modest 12 MP by modern standards, the Mi 8 beat many competitors with its larger pixels (1.4 μm) that capture light better in low light conditions, a classic example where megapixels are not a major indicator of quality.

Comparison with 2018 competitors: who was better?

In 2018, the flagship market was saturated with models with different camera approaches. Let's take a look at how the Xiaomi Mi 8 looked against the background of the main rivals:

At first glance, the Huawei P20 Pro with its 40-megapixel sensor seems to be the undisputed leader. However, in practice, the Mi 8 was not much inferior in detail due to larger pixels and high-quality optics.

The main advantage of the Mi 8 over most competitors is the 2× optical zoom, which in 2018 was a rarity in the segment up to 40,000 rubles. the Samsung Galaxy S9 and OnePlus 6 did without it, offering only digital zoom.

⚠️ Attention: When comparing smartphone cameras, you should not focus only on megapixels, but more important than pixel size, optical quality, stabilization and processing algorithms. P20 Pro with 40 MP in real conditions often lost iPhone X with 12 MP due to aggressive noise maker and artifacts.

How Megapixels Affect Photo Quality: Myths and Reality

Many users mistakenly believe that the more megapixels, the better the camera, but this is not always the case, and let's look at how the resolution of the matrix affects the final result:

• 🔢 Details: More megapixels = more detail 100% But on a smartphone screen or when you print in a format. 10×15 sm 12 MP and 48 MP is almost invisible.
• 🌓 Light sensitivity: With the same physical size, more pixels means that each is smaller.This makes low-light performance worse (example: Huawei) P20 Pro with 40 MP vs Mi 8 with 12 MP).
• 📏 File size: 12-MP photo weighs ~3-5 MB, 48-MPP — 10-15 MB. This is important for Mi owners. 8 s 64/128 GB memory.
• 🖼️ Post-processing flexibility: High resolution allows you to fraternize photos more easily without losing quality, but for most users, this is irrelevant.

In the case of the Xiaomi Mi 8, engineers chose the middle ground: 12 MP is enough to print A4 photos without loss of quality, and large pixels provide good light transfer. For comparison, professional mirrorless Sony A7 III (2018) also had 24 MP – and this was enough for commercial shooting.

The interesting test is that if you take a picture on the Mi 8 and a modern 108 MP smartphone, and then reduce both to Full HD resolution, the difference is minimal. The main differences will only appear when you zoom in or print on a large banner.

Xiaomi Mi 8: How to Use 100% Camera

The Xiaomi Mi 8 offers a standard set of shooting modes, but with a few chips that many users miss out on. Here are the key features and how to use them correctly:

• 🌃 Night mode: Appeared in one of the updates MIUI. It works by taking a long shutter speed and combining several frames, and tip: use a tripod or lean your smartphone on a stable surface, otherwise the photos will be blurred.
• 👤 Portrait Mode: Works on both the main and front camera. Keep the subject at a distance for best results 1-2 yards away.
• 🔍 Optical zoom 2×: It turns on automatically when approached. Don't confuse it with digital zoom (it starts after 2).× and severely degrades the quality).
• 🎥 Video 4K@30fps: Mi 8 maintains the record in permission 3840×2160, But it's not stabilized. For smooth video, it's better to shoot in Full. HD switched-on EIS (electronic stabilization).

One of the hidden modes is manually adjusting ISO and shutter speeds to enable it:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Fly the shooting modes to the right to the item Additional.
3. Choose Professional Mode (Pro).
4. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner and activate the sliders for ISO and Shutter speed.

In manual mode, you can experiment with long shutter speeds (up to 32 seconds) to capture the starry sky or light tracks, but without a tripod, it's useless - the slightest shaking of the hand will spoil the shot.

Photo resolution: 12 MP (4:3)|Format: JPEG (RAW takes up)|HDR: Automobile|Grid: Included (rule of thirds)|Shutter sound: Disconnected (if you need to film covertly)-->

Typical Xiaomi Mi 8 Camera Problems and How to Solve Them

Despite its reliability, the Mi 8 camera may eventually malfunction, and these are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 📸 Blurred photos: Most often caused by dirt on the lens. Wipe the glass with a soft cloth. If the problem persists, check the focus settings (Camera settings) → Focus → Continuous autofocus).
• 🔋 Camera won't open: Reboot your smartphone. If it doesn't work, clear the Camera app cache in the settings (Settings) → Annexes → Camera. → Memory. → Clear the cache).
• 🌓 Poor quality in the dark: Turn on night mode manually (it doesn't always work automatically) and check if the case covers the flash.
• 🔄 Green: This is a matrix defect that was characteristic of the early Mi 8 batches, solved only by replacing the camera at the service center.

If the camera gets worse after the MIUI update (e.g., the night mode is gone or the detail is getting worse), try rolling back to the previous firmware version or installing Google Camera (GCam), which many users note is that the GCam delivers more natural colors and better detail on the Mi 8.

⚠️ Warning: When installing modified versions of GCam on Xiaomi Mi 8, turn off MIUI Camera in app settings to avoid conflicts. Not all GCam builds work properly with dual camera - look for versions that support Sony IMX363.

Another common complaint is that the camera overheats when you're shooting long-term video, which is due to the compact body and the lack of active cooling, so if the smartphone gets hot, take a 5-10 minute break or lower the video resolution to Full HD.

Compatibility with modern standards: is the Mi 8 relevant in 2026?

It’s been 6 years since the Xiaomi Mi 8 was released, and many people are wondering: can you use its camera for everyday tasks today?

The advantages of the Mi 8 camera in 2026:

• ✅ Sufficient resolution (12 MP) for social networks and printing up to A4.
• ✅ Optical zoom 2× — Rare for budget smartphones even today.
• ✅ Good color reproduction in the daytime (with the right settings).
• ✅ Support RAW — post-processing.

Cons and limitations:

• ❌ Lack of support 8K video 4K@60fps.
• ❌ Night mode is inferior to modern flagships (no multi-frame addition as in Google Pixel).
• ❌ There is no wide-angle module, a popular format today.
• ❌ MIUI Camera no longer gets updates (the latest version with new algorithms is out in 2020).

For comparison, modern budget smartphones like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offer a 200MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wideangle and a 2MP macro module. However, in real-world quality during daytime, the Mi 8 does not lose much - the difference is noticeable only in extreme conditions (night shooting, contrast scenes).

If you use the Mi 8 as your primary smartphone, the camera will do 80 percent of the job, but for professional shooting or shooting in challenging environments, it's better to consider an upgrade.

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The Xiaomi Mi 8 is a 2026-style day-to-day shooter, but it’s losing out to modern smartphones in night scenes and video, with its strengths being optical zoom and balanced color reproduction.

Alternative firmware and modifications: how to improve the camera Mi 8

One way to extend the life of the Xiaomi Mi 8 camera is to install custom firmware or modified versions of the Camera app.

• 📱 Google Camera (GCam): Portable versions from developers like Google Camera BSG or Urnyx05 Add Night Sight (best night mode), Astrophotography (star shooting) and more natural processing.
• 🔄 LineageOS or Pixel Experience: These firmwares are being replaced MIUI Camera on a stock app from Google or AOSP, Sometimes it improves job stability.
• 🎛️ Fashions for MIUI Camera: Some enthusiasts are modifying the original app by adding support RAW nighttime or expanding manual shooting settings.

Example of GCam installation on Mi 8:

1. Download. APK-a file from a verified source (e.g., Celso Azevedo website).
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. Open GCam and set the settings: Enable HDR+ Enhanced. Activate Night Sight for night shooting. In the developer settings (Settings) → Developer settings: Select the Pixel 3 processing model XL.

Importantly, not all GCam builds work equally well on the Mi 8. Some versions may not support the telephoto module or give a green hue.

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware or modified applications requires unlocking the bootloader, which resets all data on the device, and may result in a loss of warranty (if it is still valid) or some features (such as Widevine) that are unstable. L1 for Netflix HD).

If you're not ready to experiment with firmware, try to improve the quality of your photos software. Apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile allow you to adjust exposure, contrast and color balance even in photos with the Mi 8.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the camera Xiaomi Mi 8