Curious to find out which Xiaomi behaves better under the photographic aspect? Xiaomi will be able to optimize the camera from the very beginning My 6 or it is still to be preferred the excellent sensor of the I 5S? With this short photographic comparison between Mi 6 and Mi 5S, we will see which of the two smartphones is currently to be preferred and why.
Topics of this article:
- Xiaomi Mi 6 : Sony IMX386 sensor with pixels from 1.25μm
- Xiaomi Mi 5S : Sony IMX378 sensor with pixels from 1.55μm
Before moving on to the photographic comparison itself, I would like to point out that the photos are unfortunately not of exceptional quality and that we will have to base ourselves on what has emerged from our sources.
Photos with high depth of field
What do we mean with photos with high depth of field? In simpler terms, we mean photos with infinite or down-to-earth focus, in which all objects or nearly are focused. But let's see the first samples.
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- Xiaomi Mi 6
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- Xiaomi Mi 5S
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- Xiaomi Mi 6
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- Xiaomi Mi 5S
We immediately notice how the photos taken with the Mi 6 seem more mixed, although the lighting conditions are not the worst. Another aspect not to be underestimated is cropping which, for the less experienced, is nothing more than the zoom performed on images already taken.
Consequently, making a crop, we notice how the Mi 5S is to maintain a higher quality level. Obviously, let's not wait for the photos to be grainy: we do not have a reflex in your hands, do not forget it!
Cropping with Xiaomi Mi 5S
However, I spend a few words in favor of Xiaomi Mi 6 because a comparison of the top scenes shows a greater fidelity in the colors (just look at the color of the trees), surely due to the dual camera.
Having to give an overall opinion, I prefer Xiaomi Mi 5S.
Before moving on to the next test, I want to point out how Xiaomi Mi 6, through its "Zoom Shot" function, allows you to make higher quality zoom shots despite the telephoto lens of your smartphone does not support OIS optical stabilization. Needless to say that to make a photo zoomed with Mi 6, really need a steady hand!
Zoom Shot with Xiaomi Mi 6
Macro photo
Both phones behave very well with Macros, but this time it is Xiaomi Mi 6 to enjoy a slight advantage: while the large sensor remains a plus for both devices, the dual camera of Mi 6 has been implemented precisely for this purpose. And I must say that it unravels very well!
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- Macro with Xiaomi Mi 6
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- Macro with Xiaomi Mi 5S
These first two shots are not very explanatory of the differences between the two devices, but with the following ones, despite the exceptional quality of the images, you will notice the differences!
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- Macro with Xiaomi Mi 6
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- Macro with Xiaomi Mi 5S
The colors are definitely more vivid on the shot made by Mi 6 and, wanting to be meticulous, the Macro obtained with Mi 5S is slightly blurred: you realize it by looking at the stem at the bottom. Photographer error or problems with focusing? In reality we can not know it and therefore I will limit myself to underline the excellent result obtained by the dual camera of Xiaomi Mi 6.
I will then leave you two more samples that will once again allow you to understand how Mi 6's dual camera guarantees more natural and faithful shots, both in terms of colors in the foreground and in the background.
Also for this test I have to do a little excursus. You may already know that the "Human Mode" shooting function has been added to the latest addition to the Xiaomi house, very similar to the "blurred effect" found on the most disparate smartphones. With this option, in fact, the 6 Mi will automatically focus on the subject with a lens, while the other lens will collect the details of the background: the final result will be a combination of the two shots, in which the background will be automatically overlapped by them .
Human Mode on Xiaomi Mi 6
Obviously, when the contours of the subject are not so defined, or rather definable, the complications will affect the final result. Then use this mode in optimal light conditions!
Interior photos
When the shutter is taken indoor, I immediately tell you that the differences between Mi 5S and Mi 6 do not emerge. But of course you will not believe me until you see pictures. Well, here it is!
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- Xiaomi Mi 6
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- Xiaomi Mi 5S
If I have to express my opinion, the photo of Mi 5S seems less definite, but going to the next photos the difference tends to thin and I do not feel like choosing a winner between the two: actually the flash adequately compensates for the shortage of light and guarantees excellent indoor shots not only on Mi 6.
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- Xiaomi Mi 6 with flash
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- Xiaomi Mi 5S with flash
Night pictures
So we come to the last photo test. The photos at night have always been the weak point of smartphones and I anticipate that there will be no miracles on Mi 6. With this I do not want to diminish the work done by Xiaomi in terms of innovation and research of the best optimization of the photographic sensor. But judge for yourself.
Night photos - Xiaomi Mi 5S
Night photos - Xiaomi Mi 6
The larger pixel size on Xiaomi Mi 5S allows the device to win the night duel: less noise then and together with the noise the need to process the shots is lost because the light is captured in greater quantities than what happens on Mi 6. Objectively the improvement margins on Mi 6 are there and it would be stupid to deny it, but I am also of the idea that the shots that would be obtainable through software optimization can not match up with the photos of Mi 5S which presents a hardly imitable hardware .
Conclusions
I simply conclude by saying that, after so much bad feeling due to the lack of optimization of the photographic aspect on Mi 5S, now the choice is really difficult. The dual camera of Mi 6 will certainly be improved and the quality of the photos will increase, but at the moment there is not a real winner. Personally I prefer Mi 6 because of the optical stabilization and color fidelity that guarantee, in optimal light conditions and not, to obtain discrete shots.
You are probably wondering why then he preferred Mi 5S in the cropping test first. Well, the answer is simple: you must not forget that we are talking about smartphones - and not cameras! - which are not born to take advantage of the crop or the exasperated zoom. In fact, judging the “nature” shots, I also appreciated more the shots taken with Mi 6 in low light conditions which are clearly more defined.
But let us know what you think. Do you agree with me or do you prefer to focus on other aspects? Write us!
I think if xiaomi does not squeeze her hand seriously on the photographic sector, she will never really take off.
In fact with Mi5s they have set up software side and photographic level is a great phone. If you talk about Mi6, I guess you'll have to wait for a live test to judge