Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2019, and still a hot choice for those looking for a reliable device at an affordable price, and many users still wonder how many megapixels the camera has and what it is capable of in real conditions.
In this article, we will not only answer the main question about camera resolution, but also analyze its technical characteristics, compare it with competitors, and give practical tips for improving the quality of shots, you will learn how to adjust the camera correctly, what shooting modes are available and what to look for when buying a Redmi 8 in 2026.
If you are planning to buy this smartphone or already own it, but want to make the most of it, this article is for you. We will not limit ourselves to dry numbers, but show how megapixels relate to the real quality of photos and videos.
Technical characteristics of the camera Xiaomi Redmi 8
The main camera module Xiaomi Redmi 8 is equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor with an aperture of f/1.8. This is a standard solution for budget smartphones of the time, but with some interesting features:
- πΈ Main camera resolution: 12 MP (Sony IMX363)
- π Aperture: f/1.8 (good light transmittance for budget)
- π Viewing angle: ~78Β° (without wide-angle module)
- π Pixel size: 1.4 ΞΌm (with Pixel Binning technology)
- π₯ Video: Full HD (1080p) at 30/60 frames per second
The front camera is more modest, with an 8 megapixel f/2.0 aperture. It's suitable for selfies and video calls, but not for professional photography. It's important to note that Redmi 8 doesn't have a separate macro or wide-angle lens module, which is a typical limitation for budget models of the period.
The Sony IMX363 sensor used in the main camera is known for its good performance in medium light conditions, but in the dark without additional processing algorithms (for example, Night Mode), the quality of images decreases markedly, and we will discuss this in more detail in the section on real photo quality.
How many megapixels are real: marketing vs reality
The 12 megapixels in the Xiaomi Redmi 8 specs can be misleading, and in practice, the actual resolution of the photos depends on several factors:
β οΈ Warning: By default, the smartphone saves the photo at 4000Γ3000 pixel resolution (12 MP), but when you turn on Pixel Binning mode (pixel combination), the effective resolution is reduced to 3 MP to improve light sensitivity in dark scenes.
This means that:
- π In good lighting, the camera uses a full 12 MP.
- π In low light conditions, the Pixel Binning is activated, and the real resolution drops to 3 MP, but with better detail in the shadows.
- π± In the camera settings, you can manually disable Pixel Binning, but this will lead to a deterioration in the quality of night shots.
So 12 megapixels is the maximum resolution, but not always the resolution, and it's important to understand that the number of megapixels is not the same as the quality of the photos.
- πΉ Sensor and pixel size
- πΉ Optic quality (aperture, number of lenses)
- πΉ Image processing algorithms (HDR, noise reduction)
π‘
To check the actual resolution of the image, open the photo in any graphics editor (for example, Google Photos) and see the properties of the file.
Comparison with competitors: who offered more megapixels in 2019
In 2019, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 competed with models such as the Samsung Galaxy A10s, Realme 5 and Huawei Y6s. Letβs compare their cameras on key parameters:
| Model | Main camera (MP) | Front camera (MP) | Aperture | Additional modules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi 8 | 12 MPs | 8 MP | f/1.8 | No. |
| Samsung Galaxy A10s | 13 MP | 8 MP | f/1.8 | No. |
| Realme 5 | 12 MPs | 13 MP | f/1.8 | Wide-angle, macro, depth |
| Huawei Y6s | 13 MP | 8 MP | f/1.8 | No. |
As you can see from the table, Redmi 8 was not the leader in the number of megapixels, but also kept up with the competition, the main difference is the lack of additional modules (wide-angle, macro or depth sensor), which were even in the budget models of other brands.
But the Realme 5, despite having the same 12 MP in the main camera, offered more flexibility with additional lenses, an important point: when choosing a smartphone in 2026, it is worth considering not only megapixels, but also the functionality of the camera.
π‘
In 2019, 12-13 megapixels were the standard for budget smartphones, with the main difference being the availability of additional modules (wide-angle, macro) rather than the resolution of the main camera.
Real quality photos: what to expect from 12 megapixels
Now, to the most important thing, what kind of photo quality can you expect from the Xiaomi Redmi 8 in real-world settings, we analyzed user reviews and tests to highlight the key points:
- βοΈ Daylight: In good light, the camera performs well β the photos are detailed, with natural color reproduction. However, in bright sunshine, overlights can occur (especially in the sky or light surfaces).
- π Night shooting: Without Night Mode, photos are noisy and dark. With mode on, quality improves, but not up to the level of flagships.
Examples of real photos (according to user reviews):
- π· Landscapes: Good detail on close objects, but the sky often loses texture.
- π½οΈ Food (food photo): Colors are natural, but yellow shades can appear in artificial light.
- π¨πΌ Documents: Clear text recognition, suitable for scanning.
β οΈ Warning: Many users complain about the Redmi 8's autofocus -- it can be a bit sharp sometimes, especially in low light, and if you care about speed, you should consider that.
To improve the quality of the photo, we recommend:
Clean the lens before shooting (dust and fingerprints degrade the quality)
Use HDR mode in bright lighting
Turn on Night Mode in the dark.
Experiment with manual settings (survey, ISO) in Pro mode
Avoid digital zoom β it severely degrades detail-->
Video Shooting: Opportunities and Limitations
Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports video recording in Full HD (1080p) resolution at 30 or 60 frames per second, 720p shooting at 30 frames is also available. Let's see what the camera of this smartphone is capable of:
- π¬ Full HD 30 FPS: Stable quality, good detail, but visible compression artifacts when moving fast.
- β‘ Full HD 60 FPS: It's smoother, but it loses detail and increases noise (especially in dark scenes).
- π Sound: The microphone records the sound clearly, but noise may appear in noisy places.
- π Stabilization: Software stabilization works, but it doesn't save you from severe shaking -- it's better to use a tripod or gimbal for dynamic shooting.
Important limitations:
- π« No support 4K is the maximum resolution 1920Γ1080.
- π« There is no optical stabilization, only software.
- π« When shooting at 60 FPS, autofocus (fixed focus) is turned off.
In comparison, even the budget 2023-2026 smartphones of the year (like the Redmi 12) already support the 4KZ@30fps and have more advanced stabilization algorithms. If video is critical to you, the Redmi 8 may seem outdated.
How to turn on shooting in 60 FPS?
How to improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi Redmi 8: practical tips
Even with limited technical capabilities, the Redmi 8 can deliver better shots, and here are some proven ways to do this:
1. The default camera settings
Before shooting, we recommend checking the following parameters:
- π Turn on HDR (in camera settings) for better shadow and light work.
- π Activate the AI- camera, which automatically selects the optimal settings for the scene.
- π Turn off Digital Zoom, it only degrades quality.
- π Set up high quality photo saving (in settings).
2.Use of the Pro mode
Pro mode allows you to manually configure:
- π Shutter speed (from 1/1000 to 32 seconds)
- π ISO (sensitivity, 100 to 3200)
- π― Focus (manual focusing)
- π White balance (for color correction)
Examples of settings for different conditions:
- π Sunset: Reduce ISO to 100-200, increase shutter speed to 1/30 for smooth water blur.
- π Night shooting: Set ISO 800-1600 and shutter speed 1-2 of a second (use a tripod!).
3. Third-party applications for shooting
If the standard camera app doesnβt suit you, try alternatives:
- π± Google Camera (GCam): Portable versions of this app often improve processing HDR and night shooting. Redmi 8 is suitable for modifications from developers BSG or Urnyx05.
- πΈ Open Camera: A free application with advanced manual settings.
- π₯ Filmic Pro: For professional video shooting (paid, but with a free trial).
β οΈ Warning: Artifacts or errors may occur when installing a GCam on Redmi 8. Before using it, check the compatibility of a particular version on forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA Developers).
Frequent Xiaomi Redmi 8 camera problems and their solutions
Despite its reliability, the Redmi 8 camera can face some problems, and letβs look at the most common and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The camera won't open. | Software failure or application conflict | Reboot your smartphone. If it doesn't work, clear the Camera app cache in the settings. |
| Blurred photos | Dirty lens or autofocus failure | Wipe the lens with a soft cloth. If the problem persists, try manual focusing in Pro mode. |
| The green tint in the photo | The Wrong White Balance | Turn on the AI- camera or manually adjust the white balance in Pro mode. |
| Camera's slowing down. | Lack of RAM | Close the background applications. If the problem persists, turn off the AI- camera or reinstall the app. |
If none of these methods helped, there may be a problem with the hardware (for example, the camera plume is damaged). In this case, we recommend contacting the service center. For Xiaomi Redmi 8, camera repair costs an average of 1,500-3,000 rubles (2026), depending on the malfunction.
It's also worth checking if your smartphone has unofficial firmware, which can cause conflicts with the camera. If you're using custom software, try returning the stock firmware.