Xiaomi 14 Ultra camera and RAW video mode

[Andrew Reid]

I have one on the way after looking at the image samples here:

https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_14_ultra-review-2683p5.php

The 75mm F1.8 lens in particular...

Like some of the famous Zeiss Distagons it has a floating element to get close.

With such a fast aperture in combination with the close-focussing abilities make it look incredible.

The 14 Ultra in fact has two such lenses, a 75mm and 120mm.

And the main imager is 1"

Which also in the close-to-mid focus range has a very shallow DOF.

I have lighted tweaked that last one in Pixelmator Pro, the JPEGs have a surprising amount of chonkiness to play with.

Then there's the RAW capabilities...

With Motion Cam Pro there's the RAW Cinema DNG recording.

Within Xiaomi's own camera app is the expert RAW mode for stills, with Leica's colour tuning.

This allows you to completely turn off any noise reduction and sharpening... one of the main caveats of modern smartphones.

I think at £600 used this is the real deal.

The 15 Ultra doesn't change things very much, indeed to go any better would require a big leap.

We're talking at least Micro Four Thirds size sensor instead of 1", and F1.4 maximum aperture.

And to make this pocketable is going to require a lot of physics bending.

There are some other options like the Oppo Find 7 Ultra, and Vivo X100 Pro which have a large 1/1.4" sensor on the telephoto lens, 200MP.

But the lens quality itself is a bit compromised as a result.

The Vivo X100 Pro has the Zeiss modes, Zeiss lens simulations, even RAW video built into the main camera app I believe.

But I find Xiaomi's image processing with Leica to be the best of the bunch.

Looking forward to when it turns up from CEX this weekend with the photography kit which gives it ability to use filters and a proper shutter release button!

I think for street photography requiring stealth, 3 lenses in one pocket and very high speed, this is a better choice than a proper camera, X100 VI or Leica Q. The ultimate shot getter?

[fuzzynormal]

Let us know how it goes.  I have the 12 and find using it for video is too fiddly for me to enjoy it.  I've captured great shots with it, but not without effort.