Are you a shutterbug seeking the ideal Xiaomi companion for capturing stunning visuals? Look no further!
In 2024, Xiaomi continues to impress with a diverse range of smartphones boasting exceptional camera capabilities.
This review covers 10 of the finest Xiaomi options, catering to both photography enthusiasts and budget-conscious users.
Also Read: Which Xiaomi Phones Work with Verizon? | List of Xiaomi Phones in USA That Work with Verizon
| Xiaomi Phone with Best Camera | Camera Specs | Best For | Check it out on |
| Xiaomi 13 Ultra | Rear camera: 50MP+50P+50P+50P Front camera: 32MP |
Professional photos | Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Rear camera: 50P + 12MP + 20MP Front camera: 20MP |
Professional photos | Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 5MP Front camera: 20MP |
Stills and Videos | Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 5MP Front camera: 20MP |
Daylight and Macro photography | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP Front camera: 20MP |
Social Media posts | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Note 10 Pro | Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP Front camera: 16MP |
Portrait and Selfies | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | Rear camera: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP Front camera: 20MP |
Night time and videos | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G | Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 5MP Front camera: 20MP |
Camera versatility | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Poco X4 NFC | Rear camera: 108 + 64MP + 8MP + 2MP Front camera: 16MP |
Photos and selfies | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
| Xiaomi Mi 11T Pro | Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 5MP Front camera: 16MP |
Videos and daylight photography | Check it out on AliExpress Check it out on Amazon |
Xiaomi Phone with Best Camera
Xiaomi 13 Ultra
Boasting a collaboration with renowned optics giant Leica, this phone not only raises the bar but reshapes it entirely. Here's why the Xiaomi 13 Ultra stands as the quintessential choice for photography enthusiasts in 2024.
Stellar Camera System:
At the heart of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra lies a camera system that is nothing short of extraordinary. Partnering with Leica, a name synonymous with excellence in lens design, Xiaomi has crafted a quad-camera array that sets new standards.
The main sensor, a colossal 1-inch 50MP marvel with an aperture of f/1.9, is a testament to Xiaomi's commitment to capturing every nuance of the scene with unparalleled detail and clarity.
Coupled with not one, but two 50MP telephoto lenses offering 3.2x and 5x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide sensor, the possibilities for creative expression are limitless.
From sweeping landscapes to intricate details at a distance, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra ensures every moment is captured with precision and finesse.
Exceptional Photo Quality:
DxOMark's resounding endorsement as the champion underscores the Xiaomi 13 Ultra's prowess in delivering breathtaking imagery.
The fusion of cutting-edge hardware and Leica's image styles results in a harmonious blend of classic elegance and modern flair, allowing users to tailor their visual narratives with finesse.
Moreover, the large sensor size and meticulous software optimizations empower the Xiaomi 13 Ultra to excel in any lighting condition, effortlessly producing images brimming with detail and vibrant colors, even in challenging low-light scenarios.
Additional Features:
Beyond photography, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra transcends expectations with its videography capabilities. The ability to record in pristine 8K resolution across all four rear cameras at 24fps opens up a realm of possibilities for aspiring filmmakers and content creators.
Coupled with 10-bit LOG recording, professionals can unleash their creativity in post-production, sculpting their cinematic visions with unparalleled precision.
For the discerning photographer seeking absolute control, the Pro mode and manual controls offer a cornucopia of options to fine-tune every aspect of the shot, ensuring that creative vision is translated into reality with utmost fidelity.
Shortcomings:
While the Xiaomi 13 Ultra shines brightly in the realm of photography, it's not without its minor imperfections. The MIUI user interface, while feature-rich, may prove overwhelming to those accustomed to a simpler, stock Android experience.
Additionally, the phone's bulkier design, necessitated by the substantial camera module, may deter users seeking a sleeker form factor. Finally, the premium price tag places the Xiaomi 13 Ultra firmly in the realm of aspirational luxury, requiring a substantial investment for those seeking to wield its photographic prowess.
Xiaomi 13 Pro
Specifications
- Display: 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset
- RAM: 8GB or 12GB
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB (expandable via microSD card)Rear
- Cameras: 50MP primary camera with a 1" sensor
- 12MP telephoto camera with 3.2x optical zoom and telemacro capabilities
- 20MP ultrawide camera with autofocus
- Front Camera: 20MPBattery: 5,000mAh with fast charging support
The Xiaomi 13 Pro boasts an impressive camera system with Leica lenses. It features a primary camera with a 50MP 1" sensor, a telephoto camera with 3.2x optical zoom and telemacro capabilities, and an ultrawide camera with autofocus.
The main camera delivers excellent image quality with vibrant colors and high contrast. The Leica Authentic mode provides color-accurate photos with a natural look.
The telephoto camera performs exceptionally well, offering great detail, sharpness, and accurate colors. It also doubles as a super macro camera with a close focusing distance of 10cm.
The ultrawide camera captures photos with a wide field of view, high detail, and minimal noise. The portrait mode, shot with the telephoto camera, produces impressive results with well-exposed subjects and natural bokeh.
The camera app offers various shooting modes, including a Pro mode for manual adjustments and a Super Moon mode for enhanced moon photography.
Overall, the Xiaomi 13 Pro's camera system delivers outstanding performance, allowing you to capture stunning photos with Leica-like quality and versatility.
Xiaomi 13 Pro Pros and Cons
Pros
- Powerful performance with Snapdragon 888 chipset and up to 12GB RAM.
- Stunning 6.67-inch AMOLED display for immersive visuals.
- Versatile camera system with 50MP primary, 12MP telephoto, and 20MP ultrawide lenses.
- Ample storage options and expandable storage.
- Large 5,000mAh battery with fast charging support.
- Premium build quality and sleek design.
Cons
- Lack of official water resistance rating.
- MIUI software may not appeal to all users.
- Limited availability in some regions.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.81-inch
- Resolution: 1440 x 3200
- CPU: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12GB
- Storage: 256GB/512GB
- Battery: 4,860mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP
- Front camera: 32MP
The latest and greatest from Xiaomi is the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. Designed in partnership with Leica, this triple-camera beast looks and feels like a camera too. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra comes with a 1-inch 50 MP Wide angle camera that just blows the competition out for its detailed and natural-looking pics.
The 48MP Ultrawide sensor is just as impressive and is excellent for shooting ultrawide pics. The loss in quality and detail compared to the primary camera is minimal. And finally, the 48MP Telephoto lens has 5x optical zoom for faraway subjects. This setup only trails the Samsung S22 Ultra in terms of versatility.
When it comes to videos, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra has all the bells and whistles like 8K recording, Super Slomo (720p@3840fps), Dolby Vision, HDR recording, Gyro-EIS for stabilization, and more.
And finally, the 32MP selfie camera is surprisingly good at retaining detail of facial features. It is good to see that Xiaomi didn't overly process the images from the selfie camera. Even the video recording on the front camera is good.
Overall, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra offers one of the best camera setups mong any smartphone. And it is easily the best Xiaomi camera phone. It gets almost everything right. And to top it off, it is an excellent smartphone as well, which is why it features in our list of the best Xiaomi phones.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra India Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent, bright 120Hz LTPO2 QHD AMOLED display.
- Premium camera-like design is not prone to scratches and fingerprints.
- Powerful performance with the new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 Processor.
- Amazing cameras.
- Good battery life and IP68 water resistance.
Cons
- No secondary rear screen, unlike its predecessor.
- Battery capacity is reduced compared to the predecessor.
- No 120W fast charging.
- Expensive.
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Product Specifications Table
- Screen size: 6.73-inch
- Resolution: 1440 x 3200
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8/12GB
- Storage: 128/256 GB
- Battery: 4,600 mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 50MP + 50MP
- Front camera: 16MP
The Xiaomi 12 Pro is Xiaomi's newest flagship phone that is replacing the Mi 11 Pro. Unlike previous flagships from Xiaomi, this one is available to purchase in India which makes it a bit more exciting for flagship buyers as you have more options to choose from rather than just Apple, Samsung, or OnePlus.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro has all the best features that Xiaomi can offer. The fastest android chip, excellent camera hardware, premium design, and more.
Highlights of the Xiaomi 12 Pro include
The Best of Xiaomi - This is Xiaomi’s latest flagship and is a showcase of Xiaomi’s best.
Ultimate Performance - The new 8 Gen 1 from snapdragon is the best chip for Android phones.
Versatile Cameras - A large primary sensor and good secondary cameras make the Xiaomi 12 Pro an awesome camera for all situations.
Gorgeous Display - 10-bit LTPO AMOLED panel with support for up to 1 Billion colors and 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate is smooth, bright, and vibrant.
Beautiful Design - One of the best-looking smartphones, with premium Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on both sides for protection.
This is one of the best flagship smartphones you can get in India. While you lose some features compared to Samsung S22 and iPhone 13, it costs much less as well. The best performance, excellent display, and awesome camera make it one of the best phones to buy for photography.
Xiaomi 11i 5G
Product Specifications Table
- Screen size: 6.67-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 920
- RAM: 6/8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 5,160 mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
The Xiaomi 11i 5G is a mid-range offering from Xiaomi that tries to tick all the boxes. The Xiaomi 11ii should go up against Samsung M53, iQOO Z6 Pro, and Realme GT. Among its competition, the Xiaomi 11i 5G is one of the most complete smartphones.
The Xiaomi 11i comes with a cool design, a good processor, and impressive battery technology (Hypercharge model) which makes it an attractive option for budget photography.
Highlights of the Xiaomi 11i 5G include
Premium Design - One of the best-looking phones for its price with glass on both sides and an IP53 rating.
Good Charging Tech - 67W fast charging technology on the Xiaomi 11i 5G and 120W on Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge 5G.
Competent Cameras - One of the best smartphone cameras in its price class.
Brilliant for Entertainment - HDR10 AMOLED display with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers is amazing to consume content on.
Powerful performance, capable cameras, and a beautiful display make it a great choice for budget photographers.
Xiaomi Mi 11
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.8-inch
- Resolution: 1440 x 3200
- CPU: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- Battery: 4,600mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP + 13MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 20MP
Mi 11 features a triple rear camera, featuring a main lens, macro, ultra-wide lens, and selfie shooter. The 108MP main camera supports PDAF focus and optical stabilization.
Under good lighting, Mi 11’s main camera shoots great pictures with punchy and realistic colors without oversaturation, artifacts, or noise, and the shots are packed with details.
The camera app has a 2x zoom option. The digital zoom can go up to 30x. Both the main camera and selfie lens can do well with portrait shots.
Night mode is available in all the cameras and is switched on automatically under low light by default as is the case in the latest phones. Night shots on the 108 Mp camera are impressive as the bigger sensors can capture enough light.
With regard to video, Mi 11 can record 4K videos at 60 and 8K videos at 30 or HD at 60 on the front. You will find the few new video modes movie effects and magic zoom interesting. It is one of the best Xiaomi camera phone.
Check it out on AliExpress here
Poco X4 Pro 5G
The Poco X4 Pro 5G offers an unexpectedly high-end experience for mid-range pricing. The phone features a surprisingly good camera set up for its price, earning a place in our best Xiaomi camera phones list.
You also get a 16MP selfie camera in addition to 5G connectivity, an ultra-wide angle and macro sensor, and a 108MP primary camera. As well as additional photography options including 108MP, Short video, Panorama, Document, Slow motion, Time-lapse, Long exposure, and Dual video modes, there are also other shooting options.
The 6.67-inch screen, which is a quality AMOLED panel with a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, is remarkable for the price. Additionally, the 5,000mAh battery should operate throughout the day. Overall, this offers excellent value for the money.
| Model | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G |
| Display | 6.67 inches 1080 x 2400 pixels 120 Hz |
| Processor RAMInternal storage | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6958/12 GB64/128/256 GB |
| Cameras | 108 MP Wide 64 MP Ultrawide8 MP Telephoto2 MP Macro16 MP Wide Front Camera |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Operating system | MIUI 13 over Android 11 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi/Bluetooth v5.1/GPS/Infrared/USB Type-C/5G |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.67-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400
- CPU: Snapdragon 732G
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB
- Battery: 5,020mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
The whopping 108 MP camera for the main sensor is a definite advantage of the Redmi Note 10 Pro. The phone maker has supplemented this with 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP Tele-macro, and a 2MP depth sensor.
The main sensor has an f/1.9 aperture that lets you take pictures in full resolution. The 9-in-1 pixel binning technology in combination with the dual native ISO technology and 2.1 μm ‘super pixels’ help in achieving stunning details with your pictures in a high dynamic range.
The main camera delivers impressive results while snapping normal photographs as you get 12Mp images that are easily manageable at 4000x3000 pixels.
Under low lighting conditions, the main camera does not give optimum results. Though the night mode 2.0 can effectively compete with those of the rivals. This is the best Xiaomi camera phone if you are strapped for cash.
In this phone, the optical image stabilization feature is missing for photographs as well as videos. You can shoot 4K videos at 30fps. They look colorful and crisp on the phone’s display at 1080p. The phone’s digital stabilization feature does a good job.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.81-inch
- Resolution: 1440 x 3200
- CPU: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear camera: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP
- Front camera: 20MP
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra’s cameras do excel and deliver amazing results to challenge those of its rivals. The main camera is a showstopper.
Though it is not the highest resolution camera at 50MP, its 1/1.2 inch sensor is the largest you will find on any phone today. Hence it captures more light and delivers richer colors. The results are a superior dynamic range and improved photos even under low light.
Under good lighting, the shots are colorful and bright with the least noise, artifacts, and artificial sharpening. Dim light photos look a bit noisier. However, the colors are accurate with lots of details, which you can’t usually expect in night mode.
The 5x periscopic lens does well with 5x and 10x shots and comfortably rivals the main lenses of most other phones thereby assuring bright colors and loads of details.
At maximum digital zoom, the photos are not of impressive quality. The main lens shoots 8K videos at 24fps and 4K videos at 60fps. The selfie camera limits itself to 1080p at 60fps only with electronic stabilization. This is easily the best Xiaomi camera phone if money is not a restriction.
Check it out on AliExpress here
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.55-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400
- CPU: Snapdragon 780G
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB/256GB
- Battery: 4,250mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 20MP
The 64 MP lead camera of Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G is ably supplemented by a 119° 8MP ultra-wide and a 5MP 'Telemacro' on the rear side. This phone lacks an optical image stabilization feature. The inbuilt electronic stabilization feature of this model in combination with the large lead sensor helps shoot competent images of 16MP.
The AI shooting mode enabled can assure a great photography experience. While the phone’s exposure and color science want to be loyal to the real-life scenes captured, the AI enhancement of this phone helps achieve interesting tweaks on the pictures.
This phone is not built for shooting pictures and videos under extremely low light as the results are not that impressive. When a light source is present and the subject you capture is not moving around, the dedicated night mode can capture pictures of decent quality.
Xiaomi has loaded this phone with versatile and feature-rich camera software. The phone sports four primary shooting modes. In addition, the other modes that the software supports like long exposure, clone, and vlog are really useful.
Check it out on AliExpress here
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.67-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400
- CPU: Snapdragon 732G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 64GB/128GB
- Battery: 5,160mAh
- Rear camera: 64MP + 13MP + 2MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 32MP
While Poco X3 NFC has a quad-camera set up on the rear side, the main lens is the clear winner. It is really surprising to discover the specifications of the main camera at 64MP and f/1.9 at this price range.
The hardware’s limitations are noticed only under low light photography as the details and color range seem to drop significantly. The night mode patches up this setback by assuring dynamic range and excellent colors in nighttime captures.
The 20MP selfie camera also delivers better results when compared to those of the rivals in this price range. Though it has a single lens, the portrait mode shots are of great quality compared to the quality of the ones shot with the rear cameras.
The rear cameras can shoot HD videos at 60fps and 4K videos at 30fps. The front camera’s HD video capabilities are limited to 30fps.
Though this phone does not have an optical image stabilization feature, electronic image stabilization performs well by ensuring the stability of the videos. You will find the cameras are the macrocosm of this model thanks to their specifications and output. One of the best Xiaomi phone cameras.
Xiaomi 11T Pro
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen size: 6.67-inch
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400
- CPU: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP + 8MP + 5MP
- Front camera: 16MP
The Xiaomi Mi 11T Pro features a 108MP primary lens, 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP Telemacro lens. Being a mid-range smartphone, the secondary cameras are not the greatest but the primary 108MP sensor makes up for it.
The primary sensor coupled with Snapdragon 888’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) churns out some excellent photos with tons of detail and dynamic range in daylight. The Night mode on the Mi 11T Pro is also decent and can take some reliable bright photos with good detail in lowlight conditions.
For videos, the 108MP camera features EIS that can shoot reasonably stable videos. The phone can also shoot 8K and HDR10+ videos making it a versatile option for videography.
The secondary Ultrawide and Telemacro sensors are not going to blow your mind, but they are passable for the price. And the 16MP front camera is great for selfies and video calls. It takes images with a lot of light while maintaining a good exposure balance.
Overall, the Xiaomi Mi 11T Pro is one of the best camera phones in the midrange price segment. The main camera is awesome while the secondary cameras add some versatility. It is great for videos and selfies as well making it a good package.
Check it out on AliExpress here
What to look for in the best Xiaomi camera phone?
Next to communication, the camera is the most widely used feature in a smartphone. The quality, performance, and features of smartphone cameras are constantly improving. When you will want to choose a smartphone with the best camera, these are the aspects to focus on.
Megapixels
The rule of thumb is to look for a phone with more than 3.2 megapixels to land on a reasonably good camera. They are good enough to shoot pictures to upload on social media.
Standard photography printing up to 7X5 inches needs 3 megapixels of image quality. If you want to use the camera for printing A4-size photographs, you will need 9 megapixels. 8-megapixel images are best viewed on television screens.
Many top-end smartphones of today come with cameras of more than 8 megapixels. Hence decide on the megapixels depending on how you want to use the picture shot.
Lens
Experts in photography will tell you that the lens is the most important component of any camera. The job of the lens is to funnel the light onto the sensor of the camera. A better quality lens can gather more light and hence the images can get sharper.
Zoom
Zoom is another important feature to look for in a camera smartphone. In addition to the digital zoom feature, some cameras come with an optical zoom function where the camera lens can move back and forth to zoom into the images without any loss of quality. Some good camera phones come with both digital and optical zoom capabilities to give the best results with pictures.
Autofocus and image stabilization
Megapixels of phones alone cannot guarantee good-quality pictures. Features like autofocus and image stabilization are great aspects of a phone for better picturing capabilities.
Flash
Most phones are nowadays equipped with LED flashes, which take little power and are more reliable. Xenon flash fitted in top-end phone models is the best option they can also consume a lot of battery power.
Smart image processing
Software that is driving phone cameras is also getting smarter these days. Manufacturers are adding some extra processing options to the software. Features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) can help take pictures with multiple exposures and blends to create pictures of great intensity levels across a given image.
Should I buy a Xiaomi phone from China?
If you live in the US, you might be tempted to purchase a Xiaomi phone from Chinese importers like GearBest and Geekbuying. Readers from other parts of the world will also discover that there are still some models that are still only available in China and may tempt you to do so, such as the top-of-the-line 12S Ultra.
If you do, be careful to get a device with a global ROM installed, or else be ready to fiddle with the software once it is received (novice users should avoid this). The global models come pre-installed with an English-language UI and full access to Google services.
Second, if you buy something from China, keep in mind that your consumer rights differ from those when you buy something from somewhere else and that, should something go wrong, you'll have a harder time getting after-sales help.
Finally, the delivery may be a hassle. The average delivery time will be longer, however quick and free shipping options are frequently available. More than that, though, there can be other expenses: you might be required to pay import duty when the phone arrives, which is determined by the amount listed on the shipping documents and typically includes an additional admin fee.
FAQs
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