What Xiaomi with a good camera to choose in 2026: an expert review and comparison of models

Choosing a Xiaomi smartphone with a good camera is no easy task. Even within a single brand lineup, the difference between models can be enormous, from budget devices with mediocre modules to flagships competing with professional cameras. In 2026, the company released several devices that truly deserve the attention of amateur photographers, both selfies and those who shoot videos for YouTube or TikTok.

The main question is: what to look for when choosing a matrix resolution is not the only criterion. Important are the size of the pixels, the presence of optical stabilization, the ability of software processing (for example, AI algorithms to improve details), as well as support for formats like DOL-HDR or 8K. In this article, we will analyze the 7 best models of Xiaomi on the ratio of price / quality of the camera, compare their technical characteristics and show real examples of images.

Xiaomi’s Choice Criteria With a Good Camera: What to Look For First

Before we go through the model reviews, we'll see what really affects the quality of the shot, and many users mistakenly believe that the more megapixels, the better, and in practice, the size of the sensor and the luminosity of the lens are much more important.

Here are the key characteristics that should be considered:

• 📸 Main camera: Matrix size (1/1.28", 1/1.56" etc.), authorization (50 MPP, 200 MP), diaphragm (f/1.7–f/1.9). The best option is a sensor at least 1/1.5" supportive OIS (optical stabilization).
• 🌙 Night shooting: Night Mode 2.0 or Ultra Night Video, pixel size (1.6–2.4 microns) The best results are shown by models with Sony sensors IMX766 Samsung ISOCELL HPX.
• 🎥 Video footage: Support 4K@60fps, 8K, presence HDR10+ and DOL-HDR. For bloggers, a front-facing camera with autofocus is also important.
• 🔍 Additional modules: Wide-angle (115)°–120°), telephoto (2x–5x Optical zoom, macro or depth sensors. Budget models often have 2 MP junk modules that you can ignore.

The software is just as important. Xiaomi is actively developing its own image processing algorithms, such as AI Scene Detection (automatic scene recognition) or Magic Zoom (digital zoom without loss of quality), but some users complain about excessive "beautifulness" of images - too aggressive smoothing of the skin or over saturation. It is a matter of taste, but it is worth considering.

⚠️ Note: If you plan to shoot in a format RAW For further processing in Lightroom, check for support for this mode in a particular model. Not all Xiaomi smartphones retain raw files even with a flagship camera.

TOP-3 Xiaomi flagship with the best camera in the world 2026 year

The brand’s flagship models are traditionally equipped with the most advanced cameras, with Xiaomi 14 Ultra taking the lead in 2026, but other premium models are worth a look, and here are three of the best options for those willing to invest in top-end shooting quality.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the undisputed leader in photography, with its main advantage being a variable aperture (f/1.6 to f/4.0) that allows you to adapt to different lighting conditions, such as closing the aperture on a sunny day for greater depth of field, opening it at night for maximum light absorption, and supporting Leica Authentic Look, which mimics the color reproduction of the legendary Leica Summicron lenses.

The Xiaomi 13T Pro is a more affordable alternative with excellent optics from Leica, with two telephoto modules (2x and 3x optical zoom) that let you take portraits with a beautiful bokeh without losing detail. However, in video mode, it is inferior to 14 Ultra due to the lack of DOL-HDR.

The Mix Fold 3 is primarily interesting to bloggers because of its folding design and excellent video camera. Its periscopic module (5x zoom) allows you to shoot remote objects without digital artifacts, and HyperOS support ensures smooth operation when editing videos directly on the device.

Best mid-budget Xiaomi with a good camera (up to 60,000) ₽)

Not everyone needs a 100-dollar flagship.+ Fortunately, Xiaomi offers several models in the segment up to 60 000 rubles. ₽, The key is to prioritize things, where you have to sacrifice zoom, where you have to sacrifice night photography.

Here are the three most balanced options:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13 Lite is the best choice for selfies thanks to dual front camera (32 MP) + 8 MP, wide-angle. 50MP main camera (Sony) IMX766) Optical stabilization will do most of the work, but the telephoto module is not here.
• 🎬 POCO F5 Pro – Optimized for video: supports 4K@60fps It has a stable and powerful Snapdragon processor. 8+ Gen 1 It's a heavy file processing machine — 64 MP with OmniVision OV64B.
• 🌃 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G — The record holder for price/quality in the budget segment. ISOCELL HPX) allows you to take detailed pictures even at dusk, but software processing sometimes "oversteps the stick" with noise reduction.

Xiaomi 13 Lite is ideal for those who take a lot of pictures: its front camera with autofocus and a wide viewing angle allows you to take high-quality selfies even in a group frame. And with support for 4K@30fps on the front camera, the model is suitable for streams or videos for Instagram.

The POCO F5 Pro is the videographer's choice, and its main advantage is that it doesn't overheat when shooting long 4K, which is a good thing for bloggers, but it loses 13 Lite in photo mode because of less advanced optics.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G The 200MP camera uses pixel binning (combining 16 pixels into 1), which gives good results with sufficient light. But in the dark, the images can get too plastic because of aggressive processing. If you care about naturalness, consider the Xiaomi 13 Lite.

Study photo examples in real-world settings (not advertising)

Check for RAW support (if post-processing is required)

Make sure you have OIS (optical stabilization) for video

Compare night photos with the flagships of previous years-->

Xiaomi budget with a good camera (up to 30 000) ₽): really?

In the segment up to 30,000 ₽ You can't expect miracles from the camera, but some Xiaomi models manage to offer decent quality for a little money.

Three models worth considering:

1. Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G — 50-MP main camera (Sony IMX766) with OIS, 8-MP wide-angle and 2-MP macro. Night shooting at the level of flagships 2021, but video is limited to 4K@30fps.
2. POCO X5 Pro 5G – 108-MP sensor (Samsung HM2) with pixel binning up to 27 MP. Good for day photography, but night photos require manual adjustment.
3. Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G is a 64MP camera with Sony IMX682 and optical stabilization. inferior in detail, but offers a more natural color reproduction.

The best-balanced version is the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G. Its camera on the Sony IMX766 (the same as the Xiaomi 13 Lite) shows excellent results during the day and acceptable at night.

• 🚫 No telephoto module (maximum – digital zoom with loss of quality).
• 🚫 Limited video shooting capabilities (no) 4K@60fps or HDR10+).
• 🚫 Slower processing of photos (due to weak processor).

If the budget is tight, but the quality of the shooting is critical, consider buying a used flagship of previous years (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro). ₽ You’ll get a much more advanced camera than in the new budget models.

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Before buying a budget Xiaomi, be sure to check for Global ROM. Whales (China ROM) often lack shooting modes, such as Pro Mode or Night Mode.

Xiaomi Cameras vs. Competitors: Who’s Better in 2026?

Even the best Xiaomi cameras aren’t always the absolute market leaders, and in some scenarios they are overtaken by Samsung (because of better color processing), Google Pixel (due to HDR+ algorithms), or iPhone (stable video shooting).

Xiaomi 14 Ultra beats competitors in detail (thanks to its large sensor and variable aperture) and night shooting. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max remains unmatched in video shooting due to smooth stabilization and support for ProRes, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro is better at handling noise in automatic mode.

If you’re looking at versatility (photo + video + zoom), the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may be a more balanced choice, but if you’re focusing on photography, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is unmatched in its class.

How to improve the quality of photos on Xiaomi: tips and settings

Even the most advanced smartphone doesn’t guarantee perfect shots without the right settings. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your Xiaomi camera:

1. Use Pro Mode. In manual mode (camera settings → Professional), you can adjust shutter speed, ISO, white balance and focus, which is especially important for night shooting or shooting moving objects.
2. Turn off beauty. In the camera settings (Additional → Beauty), reduce the intensity of skin smoothing and color saturation, which will make the photo more natural.
3. Shoot in RAW (if supported). DNG format saves more parts for post-processing. Included in Pro Mode → Format → RAW.
4. Clean the lens. Even a little pollution can ruin the picture. Use microfiber and avoid alcohol-containing wipes.

For videotaping:

• 🎥 Enable Stabilization (Video settings) → Stabilization → Ultra).
• 🎤 Use an external microphone (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Audio Receiver) for better sound.
• 🔋 Charge the phone before 100% — shoot 4K/8K discharges the battery.

If you lack standard camera capabilities, consider installing alternative apps:

• Google Camera (GCam) – Improves HDR processing and night shots (requires manual configuration).
• Open Camera is an open analogue with support for RAW and manual settings.
• Filmic Pro is a professional video application with bitrate and focus control.

⚠️ Note: Installing modified versions of the GCam may cause the camera to run unstable or the processor to overheat. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

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The biggest quality gains come from switching from automatic to manually-settled Pro Mode, and even Xiaomi’s budget models can deliver impressive results with the right approach.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cameras