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.

[stephen]

Have the older Xiaomi 13 Ultra for almost 2 years. Same sensors and lenses except 75mm telephoto one is 62mm in reality.  My idea was to use it as a pocket video / cinema camera that is all the time with me. And also as my main and only camera on some trips where I don't want to bring additional photo / video equipment.

Still use it from time to time but not as much as thought would be using it. It has many limitations that make getting good footage difficult and ruin as a whole the joy to shoot.

Maybe as a photo camera it would be better

The good:

•     Picture and video quality from main sensor is really good. Can be treated as BM BRAW video in Resolve. Can easily color grade it and get great results. Really impressive picture quality from a smartphone and tiny camera that is always in my pocket
•     Main 1 inch sensor (23mm) lens is good in low light
•     All 4 sensors/lenses are capable of shooting RAW video at 4K 24fps, 30fps and 60fps
•     As you said, those smartphones have standard case that makes attaching ND filters really easy. I use 67mm magnetic ND filters and they work like a charm.

The not so good or the shortcomings and limitations

•     Lens optical IS should be working in MotionCam but in practice I can't get stable handled footage by just using the phone with a simple plastic case for the filters. Gimbal or special metal case with  two handles are needed which totally kills the idea of pocket cinema camera for me. This was not the case with iPhone which I could use and get stable handheld footage by simply holding it and even when walking with no additional support.
•     Main sensor is good in low light but the other (three) 1/2'' inch sensors are not.
•     Multiple dot like flares when shooting at night. This is common problem with all smartphones including iPhone. Because of the lenses being so small at night when there are multiple light sources on some occasions you can get multiple small bright dots dancing in your frame. It can completely ruin the footage.
•     Limited lens focal lengths. My preferred focal length for video are 35mm and 50mm. Xiaomi best sensor is on the 23mm lens. MotionCam can't crop the sensor. It can't even properly frame to 35mm or any given focal length other than native one. Can zoom in the screen which is also the viewfinder but there is no indicators to which focal length it corresponds. Video still will be shot at 23mm and I have to crop in post to get 35mm or 28mm eqv. focal length field of view
•     Bad ergonomics.  Yes I can get the shots but there is no joy in the process.
•     While picture quality is impressive for a smartphone it can't match a Full Frame sensor or even APS-C sensor. As you said it can't bend the law of physics
•     I need to look from time to time trough a viewfinder. Old habit and addiction that I can't overcome. 🙂

Bottom line: I still prefer a hybrid camera and a lens and I don't use much Xiaomi 13 Ultra as camera.

Watched a video about street photography where the author argued that having a tilting screen and shooting from waist  level is the best if we want to take stealth photos where people don't stare at the camera. We can even keep interacting and talking with the people while shooting. This would be impossible with a smartphone.

Anyway this is my experience, hope it will work better for you.