Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, released in early 2018, has long been considered a reference device in its price segment, largely due to the introduction of dual main camera, which was rare for the budget class at the time. It has been several years since the release, but the question of what the camera Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is capable of, remains relevant for those who are considering buying a used device or trying to squeeze the most out of the available gadget.
In this detailed review, we will examine the hardware of photo modules, the software algorithms for processing MIUI and the real possibilities of shooting in different light conditions, you will learn whether it is possible to take high-quality pictures on this device today and what settings will help improve the result.
The focus is on practical applications, from document scanning to night photography and portraits. Despite the age of the model, understanding the principles of how its sensors work will help you better navigate the world of mobile photography in general.
Technical characteristics of photomodules
The main camera of the smartphone is based on the Sony IMX363 sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels, which at one time was considered the flagship solution. It is one of the most successful sensors in the history of mobile photography, received a huge aperture f/1.9 and a pixel size of 1.4 microns, which provided excellent sensitivity even by the standards of modern standards.
The second module, which performs auxiliary function, has a resolution of 5 MP and is used exclusively to determine the depth of field when shooting in portrait mode, it does not participate in the formation of the main image, but only helps the software to separate the object from the background.
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Use the 12MP core module for 95% of the images, which gives you the best quality, and the second module is only for the blur effect.
The front camera also received a dual system: a main sensor 13 MP and an additional IR module 2 MP for blurring the background when selfies, which allowed you to take high-quality pictures even in low light, using 4-in-1 technology Super Pixel.
⚠️ Attention: Physical stabilization (OIS) This model is not available. All stabilization is software-based, which can lead to lubrication of frames when you make sudden arm movements.
Camera Interface and Basic Modes
The standard MIUI camera app offers a variety of modes that are activated by swipe across the screen or through the settings menu. The basic Photo mode works in automatic mode, where artificial intelligence tries to determine the scene and select the optimal exposure parameters.
For those who like manual settings, PRO mode is available, which gives you access to ISO management, shutter speed, focus and white balance, a unique tool for the budget segment, allowing you to experiment with creative photography.
The Portrait mode, which uses data from a telephoto lens (or a second depth sensor) to create a bokeh effect, is worth noting. The blur algorithms in Redmi Note 5 work quite well, although they can sometimes go wrong on complex boundaries, such as hair.
- 📸 Regime. HDR: automatically switches on in high contrast, making several frames with different exposures.
- 🌙 Night mode: uses long shutter speed and software stabilization to brighten the scene.
- 🎨 Filters: built-in color presets, applied in real time.
- 🎥 Timelapse: Creating accelerated videos from a series of photos.
Quality of photo in daylight
In bright daylight, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 delivers results that may surprise even in 2026: Center detail is high, colors are saturated but not twisted, and dynamic range allows you to save details in both lights and shadows.
However, MIUI software processing is prone to excessive sharpening and noise reduction, and as you zoom in by 100%, you can see the characteristic plasticity of small textures, which is a typical feature of Xiaomi’s algorithms of the period.
The secret to detail
Dynamic range is expanded by HDR, which is triggered automatically. In difficult conditions, such as when shooting against the sun, the smartphone successfully pulls shadows, although this can sometimes lead to digital noise in dark areas.
| Parameter | Daytime shooting | Complex lighting | Macro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Details | Tall. | Medium | Low (no autofocus) |
| Color rendering | Saturated | Balanced | Natural. |
| Noise suppression | Minimum | Aggressive. | Average. |
Low-light shooting
At night and indoors without flashing, the IMX363 sensor’s capabilities are revealed as much as possible, but the limitations are also obvious. Thanks to its large pixel size, the smartphone is able to take pictures even at dusk, but the shutter speed often drops to 1/15 or 1/10 of a second.
This requires you to hold the device tightly or use a support. The nighttime shooting algorithms in Redmi Note 5 work on the principle of addition of frames, which helps to reduce digital noise, but can lead to lubrication of moving objects.
⚠️ Warning: When shooting at night, avoid using digital zoom, which not only degrades quality, but also makes noise reduction algorithms almost useless, turning the photo into a porridge of artifacts.
Flash is best used only in extreme cases, as it gives a hard, flat light that knocks out colors and creates unnatural shadows. To illuminate dark objects, it is more effective to use another smartphone flashlight or external lighting.
Video and stabilization
The smartphone supports video recording in Full HD (1080p) at 30 frames per second. 4K recording, unfortunately, is not supported hardware, which is one of the limitations of this model by modern standards.
Electronic video stabilization (EIS), She cuts the frame around 10-15% It works mediocrely, and you can see jerks and jelly when you walk, especially when you're turning the camera abruptly, and you can do it with a static hand, but you need external stabilization for dynamic scenes.
☑️ Settings for the best video
The sound is recorded through a built-in microphone, the quality of which is average: voices are clearly heard, but the background noise of the wind is almost not filtered.
Comparison with modern state employees
If you compare the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 with modern budget models of 2026-2026, the difference will be noticeable primarily in the speed of photo processing and HDR. New processors cope with computational photography faster and more efficiently.
However, the physical size of the sensor and the quality of the optics in older flagship or mid-budget models often outperform what new budget-friendly models offer with their 64MP or 108MP small sensors. In this context, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 camera can still give a head start to many newcomers in terms of natural color.
- 🚀 Speed: Modern smartphones focus instantly, Redmi Note 5 may be thinking.
- 🌑 Night: New Night Mode algorithms work wonders, old software runs slower.
- 🎥 Video: Absence 4K weak stabilization - the main disadvantages compared to new products.
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Redmi Note 5 loses in speed and video, but wins against new budget players in the size of the pixel and natural color reproduction of the main sensor.
Tips for improving the quality of pictures
To get the best quality from this device, you need to learn how to control the exposure. Before you lower the shutter, press the screen at the focus point and pull the brightness slider down - this will save the details in the lights and make the colors deeper.
Use a framing grid to turn it on in the camera settings. The rule of thirds will help you to make the frame more interesting, even if the subject is simple.
Rub your lens regularly. Fat spots from your fingers are the main cause of cloudy images and glare from light sources, which are often mistaken for a matrix defect. A clean lens is 50% of the success.