Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
2018
How many megapixels does the camera have?
Many people mistakenly believe that megapixel count is the main indicator of camera quality, and in fact, it is only one of many parameters that affect the final image. Redmi Note 5 was the first in the line to receive a dual main camera, which caused a lot of controversy. Let's see if it meets expectations and how to use it correctly.
In the article you will find:
- πΈ Precise characteristics of the main and front cameras (including aperture, pixel size and technology support).
- π Comparison with cameras of other smartphones of the same price segment (2018-2019.).
- βοΈ Hidden settings MIUI Improve photos that 90% of users donβt know about.
- π Tests in real conditions: daylight, night shooting, portrait mode.
Technical characteristics of the camera Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: megapixels and not only
The Redmi Note 5 main camera has a dual camera, but only one is responsible for shooting and the other is responsible for collecting depth data.
- π· Main camera: 12 MP (megapixels) with aperture f/1.9 and pixel size 1.25 ΞΌm IMX486 or OmniVision OV12A10 party-wise).
- ποΈ Auxiliary camera: 5 MP (used only for bokeh effect in portrait mode).
- π€³ Front camera: 13 MP with aperture f/2.0 support LED-The outbreak (rare for the public sector at the time).
- π₯ Video: Recording in Full Resolution HD (1080p) 30 frames per second, 720p at 120 fps for slow motion photography.
It's important to understand that 12 MP is "efficient" pixels, and the actual resolution of the sensor may be higher (e.g., 13 MP), but thanks to pixel binning technology, the final photo is stored in 12 MP for better detail, a technique used to improve light sensitivity in low light conditions.
For comparison, the flagships of 2018 (for example, Samsung Galaxy S9) had 12 MP with variable aperture, and budget competitors like Honor 7X β just 16 MP without a dual module. Redmi Note 5 took the middle, offering a dual camera for the price of a single.
Comparison with competitors: 12 MP vs 16 MP vs 20 MP
In 2018, the budget smartphone market was saturated with models with different camera resolutions. Letβs take a look at how the Redmi Note 5 competed with other popular devices:
| Model | Main camera. | Front camera. | Aperture | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 | 12 MP + 5 MP | 13 MP | f/1.9 (basic)f/2.0 (front) | Double camera, portrait mode, LED-flash |
| Honor 7X | 16 MP + 2 MP | 8 MP | f/2.2 | No front flash, weak night shot |
| Samsung Galaxy J6 | 13 MP | 8 MP | f/1.9 | Single camera, no portrait mode |
| Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 | 13 MP + 5 MP | 8 MP | f/2.2 | Large battery but weak software optimization |
On paper, the Honor 7X with 16 MP looks preferable, but in practice, the Redmi Note 5 often demoed the best results thanks to:
- πΉ A wider aperture (f/1.9 against f/2.2 Honor, which improves indoor shooting.
- πΉ Best Photo Processing with Xiaomi Algorithms (especially in Mode) HDR).
- πΉ A front-facing flash that most competitors didnβt have.
However, in detailing small objects (like grass in the background), the 16-MP sensor could perform slightly better, and itβs important to understand that megapixels affect resolution, but not quality β the latter depends on software optimization, pixel size and processor.
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To test the actual resolution of your camera, take a picture of a small text document and zoom in on your computer. If the letters remain clear, the camera uses all the megapixels it claims.
Real Camera Tests: What Can You Shoot at 12MP?
The specs are good, but how does the Redmi Note 5 perform in real-world conditions? We tested the camera in four key scenarios:
- Daylight (bright sun): 12 MP is enough for detailed shots with good color reproduction. However, in direct sunshine, you can see overlights - turn on HDR in the settings (Camera β Settings β HDR).
- Room (artificial lighting): This shows the advantage of the f/1.9 aperture β the photos are lighter than the competitors, but more noise than the flagships.
- Night shooting: Without a tripod, the images are soft (blurred) due to the long shutter speed. Use the Manual mode in the camera app and set an ISO no higher than 1600.
- Portrait mode: Works only at a distance of 0.5-2 meters from the object. The bokeh effect (blurred background) turns out to be artificial, but for a public sector person it looks decent.
Examples of problems faced by owners:
- π« Autofocus sometimes βmissesβ in low light conditions β touching the screen for manual focusing helps.
- π« Color balance can be distorted when shooting under incandescent lamps (photos are obtained yellowish).
- π« Video in the video 1080p suffers from compression artifacts - for important rollers it is better to shoot in 720p.
How to enable manual camera settings?
Hidden MIUI features to enhance photos
Many users are unaware that MIUI offers additional shooting tools that are not visible on the camera's home screen.
- π§ Beauty 4.0 Mode: Improved skin smoothing algorithm for selfies β Beauty. β Tip: Reduce the intensity to 30-40% to avoid plastic effect.
- π High-resolution panoramic: Allows you to take panoramic shots up to 60 MP (gluing multiple frames together).Shidden mode - hold your finger on the screen in Panorama mode until a hint appears.
- π Grid and horizon level: Helps to align frames. Included in camera settings β Additionally. β Grid and Level.
- π Live filters: 12 preset styles (from "Vitaminized" to "C/B"), available via swipe left in the camera interface.
Another life hack: if your camera freezes or brakes, clear the app cache:
- Go to Settings β Applications β Camera.
- Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: All settings will be reset!).
- Reboot your smartphone.
Clean the lens of fingerprints |
Charge the battery at least 50% |
Turn off energy savings in settings |
Enable HDR for contrast scenes|
Check the available space on the memory card (minimum 1 GB)-->
Frequent Camera Problems and How to Solve Them
Even with good specs, the Redmi Note camera 5 It might be a failure.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:
β οΈ Note: If after the update MIUI If you have a camera that's stopped working, try rolling back the firmware or resetting it to the factory settings, 20 percent of the time, it helps to reinstall the camera app through Settings. β Annexes β Camera. β Remove updates.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Blurred photos | Dirty lens, shaking hands, poor lighting | Wipe the lens with microfiber, use a tripod or support, turn on Night Mode (if available after the update). |
| The camera is not focusing. | Software failure, module damage | Reboot your phone, check your focus settings manually, and if it doesn't work, call the service. |
| Green or purple shade in the photo | Failure of the matrix or light filter | Try to shoot in a different light. If the defect recurs, you need to replace the module. |
| Camera app flies out | Conflict with other applications, lack of memory | Clear the cache, remove unused apps, update MIUI. |
You should pay special attention to overheating. If your smartphone gets hot while you're shooting video, that's OK -- the Snapdragon 636 is running very hard. But if you're heating up with a freeze, try:
- π Remove the cover (it can block the heat sink).
- π Close background applications through recent tasks.
- βοΈ Enable Performance Mode in Settings β Battery.
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If the camera stops working after falling or getting moisture, DO NOT try to disassemble the smartphone yourself - in 90% of cases this leads to damage to the plume.
How to improve the quality of photos on Redmi Note 5: tips from professionals
Even with hardware restrictions, you can take great pictures if you know a few tricks. Here are 5 professional tips:
- Use natural light: Avoid shooting against the sun - better position the object so that the light falls from the side. For portraits, ideal golden time (the first hour after sunrise or before sunset).
- Experiment with angles: Shoot from a low or high angle, not just at eye level. For example, food on the table looks more appetizing if the camera is at an angle of 45.Β°.
- Turn off digital zoom: As you zoom in, the Redmi Note 5 simply cuts and zooms in on the center of the frame, losing detail.
- Take RAW: Manual can save photos in RAW (.dng format) and take ~20MB, but can be professionally processed in Lightroom or Snapseed.
- Use third-party apps: Google Camera (with ported settings for Xiaomi) or Open Camera often deliver better results than standard software.
To process photos directly on your smartphone, we recommend:
- π± Snapseed: Googleβs free editor with layer and mask support.