I’ve always loved shooting photos with my phone. However, like most people, I’ve often been frustrated by one feature, the zoom.
No matter how good the camera is, zooming in has always been a gamble. You either get a grainy mess or a photo so soft it looks like a watercolor painting. Yes, you get a solid 5x telephoto zoom on the Google Pixel 9 Pro, but that’s not always enough.
That changed when I started using a Pixel. The feature that completely flipped my usage? Super Res Zoom.
It’s not the latest Pixel feature, but Google has been steadily improving it year after year, and, in its current state, I have to say, it’s almost as good as optical zoom in the right circumstances.
Super Res Zoom turned my Pixel into something that feels closer to a DSLR with a long prime lens, all without the bulk. Here’s why it works so well and how it changed the way I shoot photos.
10 simple Google Pixel 9a camera techniques that transformed my photography
You don’t need a DSLR when the Pixel 9a can shoot city lights like a pro
Most smartphone zooms fail, but the Pixel gets it right
Super Res Zoom uses smart software to deliver real clarity
A macro photo of the Google Pixel 9 Pro’s camera visor, taken with the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Zoom on most phones has always been a bit of a toss-up. Unless your phone has a dedicated telephoto lens, pinching to zoom just crops into the photo. The result? A blurry or pixelated mess that’s barely usable.
If you have a telephoto lens, it’s still not really zoom. You’re basically just switching between two fixed focal lengths.
Pixel phones with Super Res Zoom take a smarter approach. Instead of just cropping the image, they combine multiple frames captured in quick succession to reconstruct details at a higher resolution.
This is done using computational photography, a fancy term that means the Pixel’s software does a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes.
It tracks small movements between shots and uses that motion to fill in detail that wouldn’t be possible with a single image.
The result is a zoomed photo that looks sharp and clear, as if it were shot on a dedicated long-range telephoto lens. One which goes much further than the 5x zoom afforded by my Pixel 9 Pro.
The first time I noticed the difference was at a concert. I was sitting way back in the crowd, too far away to get a good photo with any normal camera phone. Out of habit, I zoomed in, expecting another blurry disappointment.
When I checked the photo, I was shocked. The performer’s face was clear. The stage lights were crisp. I could even observe the texture of the performer’s jacket. That’s incredible.
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G4
- RAM
-
16GB
- Storage
-
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
- Battery
-
4,700mAh
The Pixel 9 Pro is a new addition to Google’s lineup, slotting in as a smaller premium flagship to pair with the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The latter is the direct successor to 2023’s Pixel 8 Pro despite its new XL moniker, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro brings a new form-factor to Google’s high-end offerings, sporting the same dimensions as the standard Pixel 9 model while packing all the AI and camera prowess we’ve grown accustomed to from Google’s Pro lineup.
Super Res Zoom changed how I shoot
From street photography to travel photos, it opened up new possibilities
Before Super Res Zoom, I almost never zoomed in. If I wanted a close-up, I would either physically move closer or just shoot wide and crop the image later.
That strategy mostly worked, but it came with limitations, especially in situations where I couldn’t move around. Nor is it ideal if you want to retain the maximum quality.
Super Res Zoom gives me the freedom to compose differently, and that changed how I approached photography on my phone.
Since then, I’ve started capturing candid portraits from farther away. Instead of standing awkwardly close to someone’s face, I could stay back and still get a sharp, flattering photo.
It made people more relaxed, which led to better pictures overall, and, as a bonus, has encouraged my street photography hobby.
From across the street, I could zoom into a window, a balcony, or a design detail that would have been lost in a wider shot. I didn’t need to be up close to find interesting compositions.
It won’t replace my prime lenses, but this feature has turned my smartphone camera into a reliable creative tool and a second camera.
The most surprising shift came during travel. Whether I was exploring a busy market, hiking a trail, or visiting a monument, I could frame shots that would have been impossible before.
One of my favorite shots came from concert photography. I could be seated far back in the nosebleeds, and still be able to zoom in and get a shot as if I were watching the action from the front row.
No noise or blur. Just a crisp, well-balanced shot that looked like it came from a camera with a super-zoom lens.
It still boggles my mind that I’m able to get shots like these from my phone.
Why Super Res Zoom deserves your attention
A seamless feature that changes how you shoot
Super Res Zoom isn’t just a neat trick. It’s one of those rare Pixel-exclusive smartphone features that changes how you use your device day to day.
It took something I used to avoid and made it reliable enough to incorporate into my everyday photography workflow.
It gave me creative flexibility, made travel photography more rewarding, and helped me capture moments I would have otherwise missed.
Better still, it just works when you need it. There’s no need to activate a special mode. And to me, that’s the best kind of feature.
If you’re using a Pixel and haven’t explored Super Res Zoom yet, try it. Next time you’re at a concert, in a crowd, or just watching the sunset from a distance, zoom in. You might be surprised at what you see.
Source link
