Which Xiaomi smartphone with the best camera to choose in 2026: a review of top models

The camera in the smartphone has long ceased to be a secondary feature. Today, this is the main criterion of choice for many users - from bloggers to travel enthusiasts. Xiaomi traditionally offers a wide range of devices with different levels of photographic capabilities, from budget devices with decent quality to flagships competing with professional cameras. But how not to get confused in the characteristics and choose the perfect smartphone for photos for your tasks?

In this article, we will analyze the best Xiaomi models for camera quality in 2026, compare their technical parameters, the results of DxOMark tests and real-world examples of shooting. You will learn which smartphones are suitable for shooting in different conditions, from low-light portraits to landscapes with wide dynamic range.

And let's warn you right away, it's not just megapixels that make the choices, but matrix size, optical stabilization, processing algorithms, play a big role. AI For example, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with its 1-inch matrix from Sony is still the benchmark among smartphones, but for everyday shooting may be redundant.+ With a 200-megapixel sensor, it offers a great price-performance ratio.

Top.-5 Xiaomi smartphones with the best camera in the world 2026 year

We selected the models that performed best in tests and received high ratings from users, not only the technical characteristics, but also the real quality of the photo / video, the convenience of the camera interface, as well as the presence of unique features (for example, Leica Authentic Look or HyperOIS).

It's important to understand that even flagships have weaknesses. For example, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is great at shooting in manual mode, but its auto-processing algorithms sometimes overdo it with noise cancellation. POCO F6 Pro with its 50MP main camera may surprise with detail, but loses in video due to lack of 8K. Let's compare leaders:

Note that DxOMark's scores are a guideline, but not an absolute truth. 13 Pro+ his 200-Megapixel camera in real conditions can lose Xiaomi 13 Ultra because of the smaller matrix size and simplified optics, and smartphones with support for Leica Authentic Look (series Xiaomi). 13/14) They give more natural colors, but require manual adjustment for maximum results.

Flagships vs. public sector: should you overpay for the camera?

The price difference between top and budget Xiaomi smartphones can reach 5-7 times, but is it justified in terms of photo quality? Let’s understand what exactly you pay for, choosing a flagship, and where you can save without losing quality.

The main advantages of flagship cameras:

• 📸 Large matrices: 1-inch sensor in Xiaomi 14 Ultra collects on 70% more light than 1/1.5"-It's critical for night photography.
• 🔍 Optical zoom: Flagships offer 3.2x–5x Optical zoom (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra has a periscopic module with a 5x increase), while in budgetary models the maximum — 2x.
• 🎞️ Professional Video: Support 8K, Dolby Vision, Log profiles and manual focus/surveillance settings are available only in top-end models.

But budget smartphones aren't all that bad. - Redmi Note 13 Pro, for example+ With a 200-megapixel camera in the daytime shoots almost as good as Xiaomi 12T Pro, and in some respects (for example, detail in good lighting) even surpasses it:

• 💰 Price: For 30-40,000 rubles you get 80-90% of the quality of the flagship.
• 🔋 Autonomy: Budget models often have more capacious batteries (5000-5500 mAh vs. 4800-5000 mAh for flagships).
• 📱 Compromises: For example, POCO X6 Pro offers a 64-megapixel camera with OIS Good performance for 25 thousand rubles – ideal for those who are not chasing the perfect quality.

⚠️ Note: If you shoot primarily for social networks (Instagram, TikTok), then the difference between the flagship and the public sector will be noticeable only with a 100% increase.+ With his 200 MP, it's enough.

Where exactly not to save:

• 🌙 Night shooting: Budget smartphones use software processing of night shots, which leads to loss of detail and soap effect.
• 🎥 Video 4K/8K: Even if the budget supports 4K, Stabilization and bitrite will be worse.
• 👤 Portraits: Flagships blur background better and more accurately define the boundaries of objects.

💡

For 90% of users, the best choice is a mid-range smartphone (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite or Redmi Note 13 Pro).

Xiaomi camera setup secrets: how to squeeze the maximum

Even the top-end smartphone won’t show its full potential unless you set up the camera correctly. Xiaomi offers a lot of hidden features that many people don’t know about. 13/14 Ultra has a Leica Authentic mode that disables aggressive processing AI And in the Redmi Note series, you can manually turn it on. RAW, Then I can edit the photo in Lightroom.

Here is a checklist of mandatory settings for the best shots:

Let’s look at some advanced techniques:

• 📲 Manual Mode (Pro Mode): Allows you to configure ISO, So you can do a quick exposure and focus, like, for example, you can put a starry sky on it. ISO 3200–6400 and shutter speed 10–30 seconds (use a tripod!).
• 🔄 Double press volume button: Quick camera start even on locked screen (configured in Settings) → Camera. → Quick launch).
• 🎭 Leica Filters: In Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra is available for presets Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant, one with natural colors, the other with more saturated colors.

For the video, it's important:

• 🎬 Stabilization: Enable HyperOIS (available in Xiaomi) 12S Ultra and newer) for smooth shooting without a gimbal.
• 🔊 Sound: Use an external microphone (connects via a USB-C Built-in microphones, even flagships, can pick up noise.
• 📹 Permission: Choose for installation 4K@60fps, enough for social media 1080p@30fps high-bitrite.

⚠️ Note: In smartphones Xiaomi on MIUI 14+ There's a bug: when you're shooting in RAW Sometimes you get your white balance settings down. Before you take an important shot, take a test shot!

💡

To avoid overheating during long-term video shooting, turn off 5G And lower the screen resolution to FHD+. This is especially true for Snapdragon. 8 Gen 2/3 hot-weather.

Xiaomi Cameras and Competitors Comparison: Who is Better?

How do Xiaomi smartphones look on the background of the Samsung Galaxy, iPhone and Google Pixel? According to the results of tests DxOMark 2026, Xiaomi 14 Ultra ranks 2nd after Huawei P60 Pro, ahead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in detail and night shooting, but each brand has its own strengths:

The main conclusions:

• 📱 Xiaomi leads in detail and night shooting thanks to large matrices.
• 🍎 iPhone better cope with skin colors and video portraits.
• 🤖 Google Pixel wins in the game HDR It is also used, but loses in video.
• 🌐 Samsung offers the most versatile zoom (up to the top) 100x).

If you care about the photo, then Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Xiaomi 13 Ultra is the best choice. S24 Ultra (because of stabilization) And if you want a balance of price and quality, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It will be able to outperform many competitors in its segment.

Night shooting: which Xiaomi smartphones do better?

Low-light photography is one of the most challenging tests for a smartphone camera, with matrix size, lens aperture and noise-cancellation algorithms coming to the fore. In tests, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra performed best of all smartphones in 2026, but budget models aren’t that bad, if you know their weaknesses.

Here's what affects night photography:

• 🌓 Pixel size: The bigger it is, the more light the sensor collects. For example, in Xiaomi 13 Ultra pixel size 1.6 μm, and in Redmi Note 12 Pro – 0.64 μm (4 times less!).
• 🔍 Aperture (diaphragm): Optimal value — f/1.6–f/1.9. Xiaomi. 14 Ultra variable diaphragm from f/1.6 before f/4.0, This allows you to control the depth of field.
• ⚡ Night mode: In MIUI It is called Night Mode and can last up to 30 seconds (in manual mode).

Test results (night shooting, no tripod):

Tips for the best night photography:

• 📱 Use a tripod: Even HyperOIS will not save from lubrication when aging >1 second.
• 🔦 Additional lighting: Smartphone flashlight (turns on swipe down in camera mode) or external LED-The panel will significantly improve the frame.
• 📝 Take it down. RAW: Then treat in Lightroom (raise shadows, reduce noise).

⚠️ Attention: In smartphones Xiaomi on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 If you're shooting at night for a long time, you might get overheated. If the camera shuts down, let the device cool down. 2–3 minute.

Video Shooting on Xiaomi: What models support 8K Dolby Vision and

If photography is only half the success, then video requires special attention. Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally good for video shooting. 14 Ultra takes video in 8K@24fps It supports Dolby Vision and Redmi Note. 13 Pro+ limited 4K@30fps So we'll figure out what's important for video and what models are suitable for different tasks.

Key parameters for video:

• 🎞️ Permission and FPS: 8K@24fps: Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Xiaomi 12S Ultra. 4K@60fps: Most flagships and some averages (for example, POCO F5 Pro). 1080p@240fps: For slow-motion shooting, even the Redmi Note is suitable. 12 Pro+.
• 🎛️ Stabilization: HyperOIS (Optical) + Best option (available in Xiaomi) 13/14 Ultra). EIS (Electronic: better than nothing (all models have it).
• 🎤 Audio: Stereosound: Xiaomi 13/14 Pro, POCO F6 Support for external microphones: Flagships only (via USB-C).

The best smartphones for different types of videos:

Tips for improving the video:

• 📹 Use Pro Mode for Video: Set up ISO manually (optimum 100-800 for daylight).
• 🎧 Sound monitoring: Connect headphones to control noise levels.
• 📱 Horizontal survey: B MIUI There is a hint about turning the screen, but it is better to turn the grid on in advance in the camera settings.

💡

To shoot on TikTok or YouTube Shorts, use permission 1080p@60fps and turn on HDR. This will give a smooth video with good color reproduction without the excess weight of the file.

How to Choose Xiaomi by Camera: A Step-by-Step Guide

To avoid making a mistake, answer 5 key questions:

1. What budget is it? 💰 Up to 20 thousand rubles: Redmi Note 13 Pro, POCO X6 Pro. 💰 20-40,000 rubles: Xiaomi 12 Lite, Xiaomi Civi 3. 💰 40-70 thousand rubles: Xiaomi 13T Pro, Xiaomi 14. 💰 70+ thousand rubles: Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Which shooting scenarios are prioritized?

• 🌅 Landscapes/architecture: Wide-angle camera (e.g. 120) is required° Xiaomi 13 Pro).
• 👤 Portraits/Selfies: Frontal (at least 32 MP) and Boque mode are important.
• 🌙 Night shooting: Look for a smart