Xiaomi 17 Pro Max Camera Analysis Reveals Two Key Drawbacks

Key Takeaways

1. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max features a triple camera system with three 50MP lenses: a main camera, an ultrawide lens, and a periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
2. Despite good image quality, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max ranks 13th in DxOMark’s evaluations with a score of 159, lower than competitors like the iPhone 17 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro.
3. Significant weaknesses include a narrower ultrawide lens field of view (17mm) compared to competitors and video quality issues such as noise and shaky stabilization.
4. Minor issues were noted, such as imperfect bokeh effects in portrait mode, particularly with thin objects.
5. Overall, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max performs well in photo mode, delivering detailed images with excellent color accuracy and minimal noise.

Despite being marketed as a top-tier camera phone, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a spec list that resembles that of many other similar devices. It features a 50MP f/1.7 main camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, a 50MP f/2.4 ultrawide lens with a 1/2.88-inch sensor, and a 50MP f/2.6 periscope telephoto lens that has a 1/1.95-inch sensor, offering 5x optical zoom and macro capabilities.

Performance Analysis

The camera system generally provided good image quality during DxOMark’s thorough evaluation, but a few issues led to some point losses. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max ended up ranking 13th in DxOMark’s list with a total score of 159, which is significantly lower than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro at 168 points, the Vivo X300 Pro at 171 points, and the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra at 175 points.

Weaknesses Identified

DxOMark pointed out two significant flaws of the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max when compared to its better-rated competitors. Firstly, the ultrawide camera has an equivalent focal length of just 17mm. In contrast, the iPhone 17 boasts a 13mm ultrawide camera, which allows it to capture a broader field of view. Secondly, the video function is plagued by noisy images, inconsistent white balance and exposure, along with shaky image stabilization, even if the user is holding the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max steadily.

Additional Issues

The review also found a few minor problems, like imperfect bokeh effects in portrait mode. Very thin objects, such as single hair strands, were sometimes not isolated correctly. However, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max largely performed well in photo mode, creating detailed images with excellent color accuracy and minimal noise. For more details, check our comprehensive review on the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max.

Source:
Link