Hodder hails Xiaomi 13 Pro as the best phone camera he has ever used

Photography enthusiasts and professionals are abuzz about the recently launched Xiaomi 13 smartphones. They are eager to test its digital photography system, which was co-engineered with the prestigious camera brand Leica. 

Jonathan Hodder, a renowned British-Filipino photographer and Leica ambassador who specializes in street and documentary photography, tried out the  Xiaomi 13 Pro. He pronounced  the phone as the real deal when it comes to capturing candid life on the streets.

Hodder's work, normally covering climate-related issues, urban poverty, and human rights in the Asia-Pacific, takes him to places where a large camera would be impractical or attract too much attention. As such, he has come to rely on small, high-quality cameras. Under ideal conditions, he could also take good photos with a mobile phone but observed these only looked good on the phone’s screen and small prints. Not so the Xiaomi 13 Pro. 

Best digital camera

“This phone is different. The pixel quality is rich and detailed enough to print big; the images hold up well in low light; and the color rendering is similar to that of my Leica M11, which is the best digital camera I’ve ever used,” Hodder said.

The Xiaomi 13 has a Pro mode that allows for manual control over settings such as shutter speed. Hodder found this helpful feature: “there are times you want to override this, particularly when you want to capture high contrast scenes or freeze action at night. This is where the manual controls come in handy."

Natural, authentic shots

In particular, the phone’s 50MP mode caught Hodder’s  attention, with images taken in this mode looking more natural and authentic. While the difference may not be noticeable on the phone screen, it becomes clear when the image is scaled up. “I'm after the organic rendering of the image as a whole rather than the tiny details,” he said. “Pictures taken in this mode are a big step forward from the overly sharpened images from older mobile phones,” he explained.

Hodder was impressed with the smartphone’s remarkable capability to capture high-quality images that maintain their integrity even when printed at a larger size or edited for color, providing photographers with unparalleled flexibility and creative freedom.

 Travel photography that shines

“Given the quality of the main phone camera, I wouldn't hesitate to print medium-sized photos for a gallery exhibition. And it certainly delivers outstanding results for websites and magazines alike. As for the kind of photography it excels at, I believe the Xiaomi 13 can handle just about anything. However, I think it's in travel photography, particularly in urban settings, that this phone truly shines," he declared. 

Hodder  claims that the Xiaomi 13 Pro is the best phone camera he has ever used, and he is excited to use it alongside his Leica M11. “I can comfortably say that the Xiaomi 13 Pro is the best phone camera I’ve ever used,” he said. “Having the Xiaomi 13 Pro and my Leica M11 side by side makes for a fitting partnership, and I look forward to using both on my missions this year.”

Whether capturing candid street scenes, documenting human rights issues, or simply taking travel photos, the Xiaomi 13 Pro's exceptional pixel quality and color rendering make it an indispensable tool for any photographer. 

Seeing the light, finding your voice

Hodder has some tips, though, to maximize the exceptional Xiaomi 13 Pro system. “Learn how to see the light,” he advises. “The human eye is very good at adjusting to different lighting conditions, so much so that changes in light may be very subtle to our eyes, but very dramatic to how the camera will render the image. Recognise ‘good light’, and work with it using exposure control settings. It can define the mood, quality, and even message behind your picture. 

Hodder also advises “finding your voice”  – specifically the emotion you are trying to express through your photography. Have a conscious idea of what message you want to convey. Hodder revealed that he is still learning this part of photography, particularly when it comes to curation. “It is helpful to have knowledgeable friends or mentors with which to bounce ideas and receive advice,” he said. 

He cited a recent photo he took of a man looking up at a ray of light which had filtered through a small window. This was taken in a basketball court, where the gentleman in frame adopted a corner as his home. “He was proud of his space, and keen to have his photo taken. Even though he was disabled, he insisted on standing up. I captured this, and conveyed the message of  sincerity and strength,” he illustrated.

“Liberating” battery life that lasts for days

Finally, Hodder raved about the battery life of the Xiaomi 13 Pro. “It lasts me for days, while my previous phone could only take me up to 14 hours,” he said. “It also comes with a 120watt power brick, so charging doesn’t take long at all. It is very liberating.“

Also worth checking out are the Xiaomi 13 variants, which offer many of the same features at a lower price point. With the Xiaomi 13 series, you can take your mobile photography to the next level and like Jonathan Hodder, capture the world around you in a compelling, haunting and captivating new way.

 For more information about the Xiaomi 13 Series, visit Xiaomi's official page.