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In recent weeks, I've had the pleasure of using the Xiaomi Mi 8 as the primary smartphone, and as is the case with all devices, I've realized it in my pocket and I did some tests to evaluate its quality. I submitted the cameras to some challenges and I became familiar with the features and flaws of the flagship of the Chinese brand. So now it's time finally to tell you what I think of the smartphone camera and whether or not it can compete with the big players in the industry.
I would like to protect myself against the risks for ransomware.
Cameras we saw before
With his latest flagship, Xiaomi did not introduce a new photographic compartment, but decided to finish the work started on the Mi MIX 2S. In fact, it has the same dual camera on the back that brought the MIX 2S into conversation for having one of the best smartphones for photography enthusiasts.
The main sensor on the Mi 8 is a 12MP Sony IMX363 with a size of 1 / 2.55 "(1.4 micron pixel size) .The lens has an aperture of f / 1.8 and the camera has a PDAF phase detection autofocus with DualPixel technology as well as a 4-axis OIS optical stabilizer.
The second camera is 12MP, but uses a different sensor type. 39; focal aperture of the lens is f / 2.4 and its size is 1 / 3.4 "(1.0 micron pixel size). The lenses have a focal length equivalent to 55mm with a 2x optical zoom, which allows you to zoom in with a low dip in image quality.
Thanks to these cameras. is able to record videos in 4K at 60fps and can also use slow motion mode in 1080p and 240fps. For comparison, the Mi MIX 2S has stopped at 30fps for 4K and only 120fps for slow motion. The front camera takes a big step forward, from 5MP to 20MP. The focal aperture is f / 2.0 and there is no further guidance from the company on the type of sensor used
Improved software optimization and AI functionality
If the Mi 8 has the same camera compartment as the Mi MIX 2S (at least on the frame), how can it get better results? The answer is the optimization of the software. Xiaomi did a lot of work on the camera software and the AI feature. This will make the owners of MIX 2S happy because with the arrival of the MIUI 10, the smartphone without glbades will reach the same level as the Mi 8 in terms of photo quality.
Here are some examples of what your smartphone can do. In this first image, you can already see a great shot with excellent dynamics enhanced by artificial intelligence.
The brightest colors and the most visible details in overexposed and underexposed areas. the first details you will notice. The AI shows that it can also improve shooting with telephoto, even if you compare it to Mi MIX 2S, but there is no obvious improvement on the cameras secondary.
Unfortunately, AI does not improve everything on your photos. In this scene of Alexanderplatz Berlin, AI was trying too much to improve the details, colors and colors of the objects "on the ground", which led the sky to look a little burnt .
The good things are that you can turn on or off scene recognition and AI modes with a single tap of the camera app, so that you can take two pictures in quick succession and then keep the better for later. It is a pity that it is not possible to save both the normal photo and the one processed with the AI.
Satisfactory on almost all fronts
Overall, the shots with the rear cameras on the Mi 8 were fine, enough for that the Mi 8 separates me from my faithful Pixel 2 XL, which I still consider as the best smartphone for photography.
The dynamic range of the main sensor is very wide even without the use of HDR mode. The autofocus has always been fast and accurate, and when I recorded videos, I noticed fewer random movements when I changed the subject of the photo. The OIS did not prove very effective
The front camera captures a lot of detail and even produces a satisfactory bokeh effect in good lighting, but the grain becomes visible when the brightness drops. In addition to the bokeh effect, I found the light effects very interesting in the portrait mode of the main camera
When the sun goes down, the quality of the image starts to decrease. Do not get me wrong, the results are not disastrous and personally, I've seen the most famous brands smartphones do worse. However, compared to the Google Pixel 2 XL, you will notice a lower level of detail and a lower dynamic range.
And a last little technical note: you will notice a slight distortion due to the lenses on the edges of the images. . Fortunately, my colleague Stefan (the head of our photo / video team and clever photographer) and I managed to isolate the problem, but only at a distance from which you will probably never take a picture. This is also the case with traditional photos.
Postponed to September
Although Xiaomi Mi 8 has managed to make me fall in love with its easy-to-use camera with its great results, there are some small flaws that Xiaomi could still work on. Photos in low light conditions could be much better and IA could guarantee even more accurate results with automatic learning.
The final version of the MIUI 10 is expected to be available at the end of the summer. So I'm waiting for Xiaomi to further improve its product that is already able to compete with the best smartphones. One thing is certain: with advanced performance, a superior OLED screen and a competitive camera, there is no reason to regret the purchase of a Xiaomi Mi 8.
What is your favorite smartphone for photography? Are you planning the Xiaomi Mi 8?
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