The Pixel 10 series has officially been unveiled with a whole suite of new camera features and upgrades for existing functions. Here’s what you need to know.
Arguably, the most notable new camera feature is found on the standard Pixel 10 model. It’s the first base model since the introduction of “Pro” versions to be equipped with a dedicated telephoto lens. This 10.8MP lens is identical to the telephoto found on the Pixel 9 Pro and 10 Pro Fold. It’ll offer up to 20x Super Res Zoom, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro models. However, this addition comes with a trade-off. The main camera sensor has been downgraded from a 50MP sensor on the Pixel 9 to a 48MP sensor lifted directly from the Pixel 9a.
On the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, their zoom capabilities are being taken to the next level with a new feature called Pro Res Zoom. This new feature, which replaces Super Res Zoom on the Pro models, uses advanced AI to achieve up to 100x magnification. The triple-lens setup remains unchanged, so this relies heavily on AI to upscale and enhance photos. This upgrade is going to be ideal for capturing distant subjects, making it a perfect feature for playing around with various situations and settings.
All Pixel 10 models benefit from powerful new AI features, thanks to the integration of enhanced Gemini models. Camera Coach, a preview feature, provides real-time, on-screen feedback to help you improve your framing and composition. It’s like having a personal photography coach, offering suggestions on everything from angles and zoom levels to using specific modes like Portrait.
The Guided Frame feature has also been enhanced to provide full image descriptions for all scenes, not just faces. This makes it an invaluable tool for users with visual impairments, who can now receive detailed audio and text cues to help them capture better photos in even the most complex environments. It’s not clear if this might come to older models or is reliant on Tensor G5 to work efficiently.
The popular Best Take feature, first seen on the Pixel 8, has been automated on the Pixel 10 series cameras. Now, when taking a group photo, the camera will instantly analyze up to 150 split-second snapshots to find the best facial expression for each person. The results are then seamlessly blended to create the perfect shot without any manual intervention, saving you the hassle of sifting through dozens of photos to get the right one.
Another camera feature first for the Pixel 10 is built-in C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) support. This technology catalogs and documents any AI-based edits an image has undergone; some would argue that this is a crucial step toward maintaining transparency in an age of increasingly sophisticated AI-powered photo manipulation. All Pixel 10 series phones are the first smartphones to ship with this by default.
While the folding phone will not be available alongside the other Pixel 10 devices, the 10 Pro Fold has a few new camera features that take advantage of the bigger internal display. Instant View displays a carousel of your recent photos directly next to the viewfinder. This allows for quick review and comparison of shots without leaving the camera app.
Google has also claimed significant improvements to Portrait mode, with better segmentation that should result in more accurate separation of subjects from the background. This welcome software-based enhancement aims to deliver sharper, more professional-looking portraits.
Video modes haven’t had tons of attention this year, but for the first time, all Pixel 10 models can shoot video at a cinematic 24fps across all available resolutions. This feature, along with enhanced OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) at 2x zoom and higher (on Pro models), makes the Pixel 10 a more capable tool for aspiring filmmakers. The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are also capable of 8K video recording at 24fps with the help of Video Boost. While this still requires uploading and processing through Google Photos, the end results should be as good as ever.
More from Made by Google:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Source link
