How much has the photography of domestic mobile phones improved in the past four years? Has the hardware upgrade peaked? On a whim and pure curiosity, we captured the four generation flagship of Xiaomi in the past four years - Xiaomi 8, Xiaomi 9 transparent exclusive version, Xiaomi 10 Ultra and Xiaomi 11 Ultra for photo comparison.
For Eliminate negative optimization of late OTA To restore the performance of the phone in the current year, the test firmware options are as follows: Xiaomi 8 is MIUI 10.9.9.3 development version, Xiaomi 9 transparent exclusive version is MIUI 10.2 stable version, Xiaomi 10 Ultra is MIUI 12.5 21.3.19 development version, and Xiaomi 11 Ultra is MIUI 12.5 21.9.1 development version (development version before Android 12).
PS： As we all know, Xiaomi 8 with Google camera will be stronger, but in order to control variables, it uses its own camera uniformly, and the focus is in the center of the picture, fully automatic mode.
PPS： There are many samples. The explanation and summary are placed at the beginning and the end. I hope you will have a good time.
Specification comparison
The camera configuration of the fourth generation flagship of Xiaomi is the epitome of the stock of domestic mobile phone cameras. The domestic flagship came from Sony IMX214, IMX298, IMX363, and IMX598, and began to differentiate in a large area at the end of 2019: Xiaomi has HMX/OV48C/GN2, OPPO/OnePlus has IMX689/IMX789/IMX766, vivo has GN1, while Huawei has IMX600 series (2018), IMX700 series, and similar IMX766.
The exclusive 7P lens with F1.47 aperture in the transparent and exclusive version of Xiaomi 9 is stronger than Xiaomi 9 and Xiaomi 9 Pro, so it is the representative of Xiaomi in 2019 (the first CC9 Pro with 100 million pixel HMX:?). Although the Xiaomi 10 Pro has a 100 million pixel HMX, the Xiaomi 10 Ultra (the Ultimate Commemorative Edition) released in the summer of the same year is the true flagship of the 10th anniversary.
Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9, respectively, are "1.4 μ m+OIS" and "equivalent 1.6 μ m without OIS". The actual specification can only be called five to five, which is different from "equivalent 2.4 μ m+OIS" of Xiaomi 10 Ultra and "equivalent 2.8 μ m+OIS" of Xiaomi 11 Ultra. Even if the algorithm stays the same, the gap between them will be large.
In terms of telephoto, in the era of Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9, many of the 2x telephotos had no optical anti shake, and the whole film could not be separated from the digital cutting of the high pixel main camera. Later, the 2x telephoto was gradually abandoned, and the telephoto went to 3x and 5x (I just don't understand why Apple also "raised" the low pixel line to 3.5x telephoto). The Xiaomi 10 Ultra and 11 Ultra's 5x focal IMX586 scheme can be regarded as a model of telephoto, and more than 3x zoom can participate in imaging, which can fully cover 5-10x focal, far more practical than the separate 10x focal head.
In addition, the 1.4 μ m double telephoto lens of Xiaomi 10 Pro/Xiaomi 10 Ultra is not a decoration. Because of the poor intelligence of the super bottom main camera, the 2x focus is also very useful for daily near object shooting in addition to being a portrait lens. After switching from Xiaomi 10U to Xiaomi 11U, I will miss this 2x lens whenever I shoot near objects.
The ultra wide angle was first introduced into the flagship mobile phone by the LG G5, but it will be slowly rolled out after the Huawei Mate 20 Pro in 2018. Historical experience tells us that pixels are the most needed for ultra wide angle lenses. At present, the mainstream 800W and 1200W can not meet the basic gross requirement. Both Xiaomi 10 Ultra and Xiaomi 11 Ultra are the most extensive ultra wide-angle in the industry, increasing the demand for pixels. Results Although Xiaomi 11 Ultra has IMX586 for ultra wide angle, the default 1200W output has seriously strained the ability of discrimination, and sometimes it may not win the 2000W Xiaomi 10 Ultra ultra wide angle, so some people call it "Baige586".
"2x zoom" contrast
Note: Xiaomi 8, Xiaomi 9 and Xiaomi 10 Ultra all have double telephoto lenses. Xiaomi 11 Ultra can only be cut by the main camera in the whole process, and the metering also follows the main camera, which makes some scenes different from others.
2x focus contrast 1
2x focus contrast 1, central amplification
2x focus contrast 2
2x focus contrast 2, central amplification
2x focus contrast 3
2x focus contrast 3, central amplification
Weak light, 2x focus contrast (here, Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9 are switched to main camera cutting, but the 2x focus of Xiaomi 10 Ultra can still be triggered)
Weak light, 2x focus contrast, central amplification (here, Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9 are switched to main camera cutting, but the 2x focus of Xiaomi 10 Ultra can still be triggered)
"5x zoom" contrast
Note: Both Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9 are digital cutting with 2x telephoto, while Xiaomi 10 Ultra and Xiaomi 11 Ultra are in the home court of 5x telephoto IMX586.
5x zoom contrast 1
5x zoom contrast 1, central magnification
5x zoom contrast 2 (actually, the metering of Xiaomi 11 Ultra is the most correct)
5x zoom contrast 2, central magnification
5x zoom contrast 3 (the metering of Xiaomi 11 Ultra is dark here, and the actual environment is between Xiaomi 9 and Xiaomi 11U)
5x zoom contrast 3, central magnification
5x zoom contrast 4 (here, Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9 are the main camera, and Xiaomi 10U and Xiaomi 11U are still 5x long focus)
5x zoom contrast 4, central zoom (here, Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9 are both the main camera and cut, and Xiaomi 10U and Xiaomi 11U are still 5x long focus)
Ultra wide angle contrast
Note: Xiaomi 9, Xiaomi 10 Ultra, and Xiaomi 11 Ultra are all F2.2 apertures, which are 1600W 1 μ m, 2000W 1 μ m, 4800W 0.8 μ m (equivalent to 1200W 1.6 μ m). Xiaomi 8? No super wide angle.
Ultra wide angle proof sheet, image size comparison of the same scene. The larger the field of vision, the lower the pixels, and the more critical the discrimination. I can probably understand why Xiaomi 11 Ultra even has an IMX586.
Ultra wide angle contrast 1, the field of vision of m10U and m11U is larger than that of Xiaomi9
Ultra wide angle contrast 1, the upper right corner of the center is enlarged
Ultra wide angle contrast 2
Ultra wide angle contrast 2, central amplification
Ultra wide angle contrast 3
Ultra wide angle contrast 3, central amplification
Ultra wide angle contrast 4, central amplification
Ultra wide angle contrast 5
Ultra wide angle contrast 5, central amplification (meter 10U ultra wide angle, weak light white)
Ultra wide angle contrast 6
Ultra wide angle contrast 6, central amplification (meter 10U ultra wide angle, weak light again white)
Ultra Wide Angle Comparison 7
Ultra wide angle contrast 7, central magnification (m 10U ultra wide angle can not be focused after several shots here, which reminds me of Mi 5)
Subjective contrast
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 1
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 1, central magnification
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 2
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 2, central magnification
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 3
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 3, central magnification
Main camera contrast, daytime scene 4
Main contrast, light scene 1
Main contrast, light scene 2
Main camera contrast, light scene 2, central magnification
Main contrast, light scene 3
Main camera contrast, light scene 3, central magnification
Main camera contrast, light scene 4
Main camera contrast, light scene 4, central magnification
Main contrast, light scene 5
Main camera contrast, light scene 5, central magnification
Main contrast, light scene 6
Main camera contrast, light scene 6, central magnification
Main contrast, light scene 7
Main camera contrast, light scene 7, central magnification
Main camera contrast, lighting scene 8 (pay attention to the highlight of the signboard)
Main camera contrast, light scene 8, central magnification
Main contrast, light scene 9
Main camera contrast, light scene 9, central magnification (pay attention to dark details)
Focus contrast, light scene 10 (pay attention to the dark details of the edge)
Main camera contrast, light scene 10, central magnification
Main contrast, light scene 11
Main camera contrast, light scene 11, central magnification (highlight suppression of m10U and m11U does not open the gap)
Focus contrast, weak light scene 1
Focus contrast, weak light scene 1, central magnification
Focus contrast, weak light scene 2
Main camera contrast, weak light scene 2, central magnification
Focus contrast, weak light scene 3
Main camera contrast, weak light scene 3, central magnification
Focus contrast, weak light scene 4
Main camera contrast, weak light scene 4, central magnification
Conclusion: The times have changed, but the ceiling is coming
Too long to see version: In terms of main photography, Xiaomi 8 and Xiaomi 9 are "five to five", Xiaomi 10 Ultra and Xiaomi 11 Ultra are "five to five", but the gap between them is as far as several Chang'an Streets. Super wide angle, just 3 sets are all different ways, it is hard to say there is an absolute gap. The improvement of telephoto is huge, which can't be compared.
From 2018 to 2021, mobile photography has really advanced by leaps and bounds. The samples of Xiaomi 8 are like those taken ten years ago, full of a vague sense of time. Unfortunately, the GN2 of Xiaomi 11 Ultra can not open the gap with that of Xiaomi 10 Ultra. The input and output are out of proportion, and the marginal benefit has declined significantly. The end of hardware stacking can be seen vaguely.
Contrast by focus segment:
2x zoom: The strongest one is definitely Xiaomi 10 Ultra, 1.4 μ m, twice the light change of F2.0, and the specifications are there. However, the GN2 of Xiaomi 11 Ultra is also very strong. Xiaomi 9 is defeated by Xiaomi 11 Ultra in the daytime, and the whole court is hung in weak light (after all, it is the main camera). The difference between Xiaomi 9 and Xiaomi 8 lies in aperture and algorithm. The double telephoto in 2018 can be called white telephoto.
The "2x zoom" of Xiaomi 10 Ultra and Xiaomi 11 Ultra is very suitable for comparing the difference between "digital cutting and optical zoom". The "disadvantage" of Xiaomi 11U is not as big as it seems at first sight. After twice digital cutting, GN2 is also 1.4 μ m+F1.95+OIS. The double telephoto of Xiaomi 10 Ultra is 1.4 μ m+F2.0+no OIS. Xiaomi 11 Ultra even has one more OIS, Surprise！ (Even if this GN2 is equipped with a short focal lens, the actual physical focal length is longer than twice the long focal length, which is really exaggerated).
5x zoom: Two years ago, Android flagship was involved in the "telescope" telephoto war, and this year it gradually returned to rationality. As one of the winners of the telephoto war, the 5x focus IMX586 is not necessary to explain the situation when facing the 8/9 meters. Although the hardware of the Xiaomi 10U in the 21.3.19 development version is similar to that of the Xiaomi 11 Ultra in the 21.9.1 development version, the algorithms are obviously different. The former is inaccurate in light measurement, and its weak light performance is obviously inferior to the latter. Xiaomi's algorithm has made progress.
Ultra wide angle: Discrimination, vision and tolerance cannot be combined. In the super wide angle, Xiaomi has not found the best balance point. The three generations are all different ways, but none of them can defeat the opponent. Xiaomi 9 and Xiaomi 11 Ultra are two extremes. The former has a good analytical ability (but a small vision), while the latter has a high tolerance. The overall impression of the sample is pleasant, but the details are tragic. Xiaomi 10 Ultra is a compromise option, but the weak light discrimination power decreases significantly, and focusing is difficult.
Main camera: Xiaomi 8's IMX363 with OIS has less discrimination than Xiaomi 9's F1.47 aperture IMX586 (without OIS), but the weak light is stronger. The metering/dynamic range of Mi9 has not improved much. These two generations are forced to drive 55. Starting from CC 9 Pro, Xiaomi's photography has stepped into another era. Xiaomi 10 Ultra (OV48C) is still YYDS, which is extremely strong now. The white balance/photometry/photography experience suffers, but the GN2 of Xiaomi 11 Ultra is not consulted at all. The latter is mainly about the improvement of photography experience and dynamic range, but its analytical power suffers due to the wide angle.
Machine by machine comments:
Xiaomi 8: The shooting experience is obviously backward, and the film rate of 2x telephoto is not high. In some scenes where there are faces, only it will not readjust the light metering and focus with the face. With the comparison of Xiaomi 8, we can feel how exaggerated the focal length of the super bottom main camera has become shorter in recent years (in order to fit a larger CMOS, we can only use a short focal wide-angle lens). At that time, the algorithm already had a simple multi frame synthesis, but the automatic HDR was just a figment of fiction, with loud noise and highlight suppression.
Xiaomi 9 Transparent Exclusive Edition: Even though there is a stronger F1.47 aperture 7P lens than the ordinary version, it is only five times the size of Xiaomi 8. The shooting effect and white balance have been improved by leaps and bounds, reaching the level of "modern mobile phone". Automatic HDR is very active, even the night scene is supported by HDR, but the dark part of HDR is pressed hard. Ultra wide angle discrimination is also good, but the perspective is small (with Mate 40 Pro ultra wide angle interior flavor), the tolerance is not good, and sometimes the noise will explode. This algorithm reminds me of Xiaomi 5. The 2x telephoto has some improvement, but there is no OIS. Compared with the IMX586 main camera's digital cutting, the improvement is limited.
Xiaomi 10 Ultra: After watching Mi8/Mi9, and then watching Mi10U, the words "the bottom is justice" and "OV48C is awesome" were written vertically and horizontally, reaching a height that the machine could not reach before. The photography experience (speed and film rate) is actually the bottom one. The main camera HDR is slightly negative, but as long as it is triggered, the dynamic range is very strong. HDR will add force to sharpen, and the power of discrimination is very strong. This generation already has a strong ability to suppress highlights.
The ultra wide edge has obvious deterioration, the central discrimination is general, and the film rate is low. It is inseparable from multi frame synthesis, and basically farewell to capture. The focusing ability is also weak, and the focusing performance of some weak light scenes is the same as that of Xiaomi 5 and Xiaomi 6 in those years, which is really a family. Although the double telephoto shooting is shaking, the film rate and performance are OK. At the beginning of the year, the 5x long focus of the firmware, white balance and photometry are really unstable, but the hair counting effect is still first-class.
Xiaomi 11 Ultra: The first impression of the main camera cannot be separated from that of 10U. It is more about improving the photographic experience and enriching the details of the night scene. But even in September this year, the night owl algorithm still made Xiaomi 11U lose to Xiaomi 10U in extremely low light scenes, and the result was the same as that in April this year (with an extra mention, the choice of vivo X70 Pro+is also the same as that of Mi 11U, and the Maoists are very worried about it). Moreover, Xiaomi's capture performance has not improved significantly.
The super wide-angle field of vision is large, and the default 1200W output is not enough. Superimposing the night owl algorithm's loss effect on details will make you think you are not focused in weak light. The IMX586 is used for dark details, dynamic range and highlight suppression. It looks good, but it is also not conducive to counting hairs. Needless to say, the 5x telephoto is still the most practical telephoto today. The metering, white balance and weak light algorithms are stronger than the meter 10U. If you can make up for the photography experience, you can avoid upgrading the hardware for several years.
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