Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has hit a home run with the camera setup on its Xiaomi Mi Note 3 phablet if the recently released rating from DxOMark is any indication. For those who may not recall, the device ships with a dual-camera at the back, with each set at 12-megapixels. The main camera of the two has a wide-angle lens at 27mm, with a f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization. Meanwhile, the secondary camera in that setup has a 52mm f/2.6 lens that allows for 2x optical zoom. The two sensors are used in conjunction with phase-detection autofocus and backed up by a Dual-LED flash for low-light situations. Around the front, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 features a 16-megapixel front shooter. That setup, overall, managed to score no fewer than 90 points via DxOMark’s benchmarking process for the mid-range handset.
Breaking down those numbers, DxOMark indicates that the Mi Note 3 performs slightly better when taking photographs as compared to video. The phablet managed to score 94 points and 82 points in those categories, respectively, with several highlights and a couple of caveats. First, on the photo side of the equation, DxOMark says that the Mi Note 3’s autofocus is fast, repeatable, and accurate, as well as producing accurate exposures in test conditions. Zoom functionality is also good, as is the bokeh effect created by adjusting focus. Noise in photos is also effectively reduced in most lighting conditions. However, the company also says that the device’s cameras can tend to lose fine detail in low-light conditions, while also creating visible noise in areas where bright light is caught by the sensors. Some circumstances also resulted in visible color casting over top of the photos.
With regard to video, on the other hand, the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 is said to be generally accurate in test exposures, as well as in terms of white balance. Image stabilization and autofocus tracking are said to be reasonably effective and acceptable, while autofocus is listed as being relatively fast. Unfortunately, that’s offset by problems with capturing detail, according to DxOMark, as well as frame drops that are sometimes easily noticed. Beyond that, the Mi Note 3 also lost video points due to variations in image sharpness across multiple frames. Meanwhile, the score actually places the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 – which currently sells at prices starting around $384 – well ahead of most competing devices. It may not be the most powerful handset on the market or even in its price bracket. However, DxOMark concludes that for the money, there’s quite a lot to love about the handset’s premium cameras and associated features.
