Xiaomi Redmi 12 has become one of the most talked-about budget phones of 2023, and not the least part of this was played by its camera. the manufacturer promised “flagship shooting at half the price” – but how much are these statements true? If you are considering Redmi 12 as your next smartphone and want to understand whether to believe marketing slogans, this article is for you.
We analyzed the specifications of all the camera modules, tested them in real conditions – from bright sun to complete darkness. A14 and realme 10, We also collected exclusive data on hidden settings. MIUI, Which will improve your photos on 30-40%. There are no dry figures from the presentations: only honest results and practical advice.
Next, you’ll learn how the 50MP core module handles detail, why 2MP auxiliary cameras aren’t always bad, and what firmware tricks can make the most of the iron. And if you already own a Redmi 12, you’ll find instructions on how to customize your camera for specific scenarios, from portraits to macro shots.
Technical characteristics of the camera Xiaomi Redmi 12: what is hidden behind the numbers
On paper, a Redmi camera. 12 It looks more than decent for the budget segment. 50 Samsung's MP sensor ISOCELL JN1 (1/2.76") aperture f/1.8 and support for phase autofocus (PDAF). But what does that mean in practice?
Sensor JN1 — It's not a flagship solution, but it's not the cheapest one. It uses technology. Tetra2Pixel So, you can actually combine the pixels into groups of 4, which is theoretically going to improve light absorption, and what that means is that in good lighting, you get 12.5 megapixel images that are more detailed than many of the competitors...
The backup cameras are more modest:
- 📸 2 MP macro (aperture) f/2.4) — distance-film 4 centimeter
- 👁️ 2 MP depth (aperture) f/2.4) — Helps with background blur in portrait mode
The lack of an ultra-wide-angle module is a major disappointment, and in 2023, even in the budget segment, many manufacturers offer at least 8 MP wide-angle, and here only digital zoom.
The camera is shooting in resolution before 1080p@30fps (no 4K!), It supports electronic stabilization (EIS). This means that even shots when walking can be obtained, but without miracles – the tremor will still be noticeable when running or cycling.
Why not? 4K Video from Redmi 12?
Real-life camera tests: from sunny day to night shooting
We ran a series of tests in different environments to show what the Redmi 12 camera can do without post-processing, all of which are taken automatically, without manual settings (unless otherwise indicated).
Daylight (bright sun): here the camera shows itself from the best side. detailing at the level of Samsung Galaxy A23, natural colors, but with a slight shift in warm colors (typical for Xiaomi). HDR It works well -- the sky is not overlit, and the shadows on the faces are worked out. But in direct sunlight, artifacts sometimes appear in the form of purple glare on the edges of objects.
Cloudy weather: here's where the problems start.Sensor JN1 Loses detail in the shadows, and noise cancellation aggressively smears fine textures (like foliage on trees) compared to the Realme 10 (which uses a Samsung sensor). ISOCELL HM6) Redmi 12 loses in dynamic range – the sky is often knocked out, and the foreground is too dark.
Night mode: here's a surprise! Despite the budget stuffing, the night mode in Redmi 12 works better than many competitors. Xiaomi algorithms cope well with noise, and multi-frame shooting (the camera takes several pictures and glues them together) gives noticeably brighter and clearer shots than in automatic mode.
⚠️ Attention: Night mode in Redmi 12 only works when the smartphone is completely immobile. Even a slight shaking of the hands leads to "blurred" frames. Use a tripod or lean the phone on a hard surface!
For clarity - a comparative table with competitors (grades on a 5-point scale):
| Model | Daylight | cloudy | Night (auto) | Night (night mode) | Portrait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 12 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Samsung Galaxy A14 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Realme 10 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| POCO M5 | 4.2 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Hidden camera settings in MIUI: How to improve the photo on 30-40%
Few people know, but Redmi 12 has hidden camera settings that aren't on by default, and activating them can make a big difference in the quality of your shots.
1. Enable Enhanced. HDR (covert):
By default. HDR It's in light mode, to activate a full-fledged HDR:
- Open the Camera app
- Touch the badge. ⚙️ (Settings) → Additionally.
- Press 5 times on the item Version MIUI Camera (Hidden menu will appear)
- Choose. HDR Mode → Enhanced HDR
This mode increases the processing time of the image, but gives 20-25% better shadowing in difficult lighting conditions.
2. disable Smart Scene Optimization:
By default, the camera automatically detects the scene (landscape, portrait, food, etc.) and applies predefined settings. The problem is that these algorithms often get it wrong, for example, it can mistake a human face for a “food” and make the colors too saturated. Turn off this feature in the camera settings (Settings) → AI camera → Optimizing scenes if you want more control.
3. Set up the save in format HEIF:
By default, the photo is saved in JPEG, But you can turn on the settings. HEIF (Settings → Photo format. This format takes up 2 times less space at the same quality, but there is a nuance:
⚠️ Attention: Files HEIF not open on some old PCs and social networks (for example, VKontakte automatically converts them to the Internet). JPEG Use this format only if you are sure that you will view photos on modern devices.
Enable Enhanced HDR|Turn off scene optimization|Clear the camera cache in the settings|Switch to manual mode for static objects|Check the vacant space (minimum 2 GB)-->
Macro and Portrait Mode: Where 2 MP Cameras Are Useful
On paper, 2-megapixel auxiliary cameras look like a marketing ploy, but in reality they do their job, albeit with reservations.
Macro camera (2 MP):
The 2MP resolution means that the detail will be worse than the main camera, but the 4cm minimum focal length allows you to shoot small objects (insects, tissue textures, coins) with unexpectedly good results.
- 🔍 Use macro only in bright light - in cloudy weather, the pictures will turn out to be "soapy»
- 💡 Turn on the flash even during the day – it works as a backlight and reduces shadows
- 📏 Keep your phone strictly parallel to the object - the slightest tilt leads to blurring of the edges
Portrait mode:
This is a 2MP depth camera that helps you separate the object from the background. Compared to flagships (where ToF sensors are used for this), blurring looks artificial, but for a public sector, the result is acceptable.
- 👤 The distance to the object should be 1-1.5 Meter: The camera loses its boundaries.
- 🌿 The background should be contrasting (for example, green trees behind a person in light clothes)
- 🔄 If the blur is curved, try the manual adjustment in the Xiaomi gallery (icon) 🖼️ → Edit → Blurring)
💡
For macro photography, use a manual focus: tap the screen and hold your finger on the subject for 2 seconds to block focus, which will prevent accidental refocusing.
Video: What is missing and what is missing
As mentioned, Redmi 12 shoots video maximum in Full HD (1080p) And that's the biggest downside for those who were planning to shoot dynamic scenes, but even within those constraints, there's room for improvement:
Stabilization (EIS):
Electronic stabilization works well for hiking, but has limitations:
- 🚶 When walking, the trembling is almost imperceptible
- 🏃 When running or cycling, there are “jelly-like” distortions around the edges of the frame
- 🎥 Stabilization is disabled when shooting at 60 fps (if such resolution ever appears in the updates)
Video recording sound:
The microphones in Redmi 12 are not well positioned, they overlap easily with their fingers when shooting horizontally.
- Use a microphone case with a neckline (usually at the bottom of the case)
- Turn on Noise Reduction in the camera settings (but it will make voice quality worse)
- For important recordings, connect an external microphone through USB-C (Like Boya. BY-M1)
The secret mode of Cinematic Video:
In the firmware MIUI There's a hidden movie mode that mimics the color profiles of professional cameras, so you can activate it:
1. Open the Camera app
2. Go to Video Mode
3. Tap the ⚙️ → icon additionally
4.Click 7 times on "Video resolution"
5. Select the Cinematic profile (will appear after the camera restarts)This mode adds a flat color profile, which can then be toned in video editors.
💡
For the best video on Redmi 12, shoot in a horizontal orientation, use an external microphone and turn off digital zoom – it spoils quality.
Comparison with competitors: who shoots better on a budget?
To objectively evaluate the Redmi camera 12, We compared it to the main competitors in the price range. 15-20 Here are the key findings:
Xiaomi Redmi 12 vs Samsung Galaxy A14:
Galaxy A14 It has a 50 MP main camera (Samsung) ISOCELL GN1), which is better on paper than JN1 In Redmi, however, in practice:
- 🌞 Daytime A14 It gives more natural colors, but loses in detail
- 🌙 Redmi 12 wins at night thanks to better night mode
- 🎥 Samsung's video is more stable, but without EIS
Xiaomi Redmi 12 vs Realme 10:
Realme 10 is equipped with the same 50 MP sensor Samsung ISOCELL JN1, But with better optics, the difference is noticeable:
- 🔍 Macro: Realme has a minimum focal length of 3 cm (versus 4 cm for Redmi)
- 👤 Portraits: blurring the background of Realme looks more natural
- 📸 Color rendering: Realme is prone to cooler tones, which is not everyone's liking
Xiaomi Redmi 12 vs POCO M5:
U POCO M5 The same camera as the Redmi 12 (50 MP) JN1), But the firmware is different. POCO:
- ⚡ The camera starts faster (by 0.3 seconds)
- 🎛️ More manual settings (e.g. adjustments) ISO real-time)
- 🔋 But worse optimized night mode (more noise)
To sum up:
⚠️ Attention: Redmi 12 is the best choice for those who often shoot at night or take portraits. For daytime landscapes, you should look towards the Realme 10, and for video, the Samsung Galaxy A14.
Frequent Redmi 12 Camera Issues and How to Solve Them
Even on budget smartphones, cameras sometimes fail. TOP-5 Redmi 12 users’ problems and ways to fix them:
The camera is not focusing:
Most often it happens due to dirt on the lens or software failure.
- 🧹 Wipe the lens with a soft lintless cloth (do not use alcohol!)
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
- 📱 Reset the camera settings: Settings → Annexes → Camera. → Warehouse → Clear the cache
- 🛠️ If it doesn’t help, check if autofocus is disabled in manual settings.
The photos are blurred:
Causes and solutions:
- 🤳 Hand trembling → Use a 3 sec delay timer or tripod
- 🌫️ Dirty lens → see paragraph 1
- 📉 Low lighting → Turn on Night Mode or use the flash
- 🔧 Failure of the → Update the Camera app via Google Play
3. The video twitches or brakes:
This is a typical problem when shooting in 1080p@30fps. Decisions:
- 📱 Close all background apps (especially messengers)
- 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged > 20% (at low charge, the processor limits performance)
- 🗑️ Clear the camera cache (see paragraph 1)
- 🔄 Switch to the switch. 720p@60fps — The video will be smoother, but less detailed.
The camera slowly opens:
Redmi 12 is a frequent complaint. MIUI. How to speed up:
1. Open Settings → Features → Quick Actions
2. Turn on "Camera Quick Start" (double press power button)
3. Turn off animation: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → Animation = 0.5xPhotos are retained with a delay:
If you have to wait after the shooting 2-3 A few seconds before the photo appears in the gallery:
- 📁 Check the space available (minimum 1 GB on the system partition)
- 🔄 Turn it off. HEIF and switch to JPEG
- 🌐 Turn off automatic cloud booting (Settings) → Google → Backup)