The Xiaomi Mi A3 is one of Xiaomi’s best-selling cheap mobiles. However, the terminal has been involved in the occasional controversy of operation or criticism of its HD + screen as a technical reduction compared to the FullHD + screen of the Xiaomi Mi A2 . Many users also expected better expectations in the performance of their camera. However, we can always do something to improve the final quality of the photos.
We have already seen on multiple occasions that not everything is based on the number of sensors. Neither do having tens of megapixels guarantee good photos. The sensors are very important, but also the work of a software processor that interprets the image information to display it on our device, as well as the user’s hand that shoots, which has many tools and options to make the image better or worst. The Mi A3 has these cameras on the back and on the front:
Rear camera
- 48 MP, f / 1.8, 26mm, 1 / 2.0 ″, 0.8µm, PDAF
- 8 MP, f / 2.2, 13mm (Ultra Wide Angle), 1 / 4.0 ″, 1.12µm
- 2 MP, f / 2.4, (depth sensor)
Selfie camera
- 32 MP, f / 2.0, 26mm1 / 2.8 ″, 0.8µm
Tricks to take better photos
Use 48MP mode
As we have seen, the Mi A3 has a 48MP main camera, but the standard photo mode uses 12 megapixels, in order to save space. 48 MP mode is an option that must be activated from the camera settings to get more detail in the photos. Using this mode implies not being able to use the zoom, AI functions or HDR mode. That is to say, we will have to decide if it is worth counting on more quality to the detriment of these tools that enhance the final result of the photos.
Activate AI
Artificial Intelligence is present in all the new mobiles that are launched on the market and has advanced camera options. The Mi A3 is no exception. This option is activated from the top of the camera application and allows an automatic processor to be applied to the photos to improve the images obtained with the terminal’s camera. This algorithm balances different parameters taking into account factors such as lighting.
Play with Professional Mode
Using the Professional Mode of our mobile phone can be somewhat complicated if we have never had contact with adjusting so many parameters. However, we will soon take it easy and we will get better photos than we did with the automatic shot.
White balance
With this option we can adjust the tone of the image colors. If the image has a very warm reddish brown or orange tone, then we can touch the light bulb or sun option and it will give us a cooler tone , either to counteract the tone or because we want to consciously give another aspect to the image. It is a way of playing with the tone that will allow us to achieve just the desired image.
Exhibithion time
This determines the time that the sensor is going to be exposed to the light input, which is measured in seconds and fractions of a second . If the value is less we will be able to capture a still image. This is why in many cases, an image is shaky since the capture time with a higher value is longer and total stillness is required before shooting.
Focal aperture
With this factor we will measure the light input into the sensor of our mobile camera, so the lower the focal aperture value, the sharper the image will be. If we want to take a night image with great detail of the sky and stars, a value of 100 can be ideal when needed, I need the maximum image amplitude.
ISO sensitivity
This value allows us to control how illuminated the photo will be, retaining more or less light. The higher its value, the more light the sensor collects, but obviously it also receives more interference, which is called noise . In many cases the Automatic Mode does not measure this value well, so knowing how to use the Pro Mode to change these values can make the difference between a good photo and something that looks like a photo.
Other camera tricks
Night mode
Much of the photos are taken at night. The Redmi Note 8, despite being an affordable mid-range mobile, has a powerful Night Mode that we can activate to achieve better results in low-light conditions. In the night mode we will achieve a good noise reduction, keeping the details and reducing the over-exposed lights.
Burst photos
This is the best solution for capturing moving images. For this we will have to hold down the fire button to make several captures. In this way we will prevent something from escaping us, for example at sporting events or when we want to capture any fast-moving scene.
Selfies in Portrait Mode
Although it is a more classic function of the front camera, we also have portrait mode in the front camera . In this way we can achieve the blur effect in selfies, by touching the shutter icon and dragging the scale up or down. The trick is to play with the number f, since the lower, the more blurred the background will be.
