Xiaomi 17 Ultrachat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

The camera hardware impresses almost everyone who tries it, especially the telephoto and low-light performance. Commenters repeatedly praise the Xiaomi 17 Ultra's camera as superior to iPhones and Samsung flagships, citing sharp moon shots, clean night photos, and impressive portrait and B&W output. The telephoto lens with real optical zoom and low noise stood out, and Leica Authentic/Vibrant color profiles were called more realistic than competitors. Multiple owners said it rivaled dedicated Leica and Fujifilm cameras for everyday photography use.

RAW shooting is limited to about 12.5MP despite the 50MP/200MP sensor marketing, frustrating enthusiasts. Several users found that RAW files from the main and telephoto cameras cap around 12.5MP instead of the advertised 50MP/200MP, making the sensors effectively lower-resolution for RAW workflows. JPEG quality also degraded at higher resolutions. Users requested firmware updates to unlock full-resolution RAW and 50MP pro-mode shooting across all lenses, including cropped focal lengths like 28-46mm.

The phone rewards photographers who understand manual controls, but punishes casual point-and-shoot users. Multiple commenters stressed that getting the best results requires understanding exposure, ISO, and shutter speed, unlike the 'idiot-proof' flat images from iPhone or Samsung. The camera ring and optional grip accessory were loved for creating a true camera-like experience, though the lack of a physical shutter button and rotating-bezel case compatibility were noted drawbacks for casual users.