The Pixel 8 Pro Camera Specs, Features, & Opinions - Creepy A.I?
The Pixel 8 Pro's debut has finally come, and here are our thoughts: do the camera upgrades provide real hype, or is it just a gimmick for $999?
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Google has gone the extra mile with a fully upgraded ultra-wide and a new wide camera, both of which promise to deliver images twice as qualitative as their predecessors. But this year, the crown jewel of Google's efforts lies in the video realm. Thanks to a combination of “magical” AI and hardware upgrades, Google has made the biggest leap in its video capabilities. The difference between the Pixel 8 and its Pro variant is stark, especially regarding camera capabilities and overall software features. The Pixel 8 Pro boasts:
- A NEW main 50MP sensor, offering 21% enhanced light sensitivity.
- An upgraded 48MP ultra-wide lens with superior Macro Focus and a whopping 10x zoom capacity, which is 56% more light-sensitive.
- An improved front-facing "selfie" camera is now equipped with auto-focus.
Google's keynote was rife with the word "magic,” especially when addressing the synergy between hardware and software, a joke seemingly told by many other tech creators.
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Manual Controls and Video Capabilities
The Pixel 8 Pro offers a rich suite of manual controls for dedicated photographers. Tweak settings include ISO, focus, and the impressive 50MP resolution in JPEG and RAW formats. Plus, Google's signature HDR adjustments can be applied to each RAW image, giving you a level of control and customization that seems even more intuitive than what's found on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Regarding video, the synergy between hardware and software ushers in features previously unseen in Pixel’s lineup. While I'm eager to field-test these capabilities, the “Video Boost” stands out. This feature dynamically tweaks color scenes, balancing dynamic range and honing details. However, the question arises: Does this enhancement make the footage appear artificially altered? The option to manually turn off this feature will be crucial in understanding the gap between untouched footage and that optimized by Google's AI. One wonders if tech giants truly grasp what creators seek in their content.
👉 Real Tone and Enhanced Lighting
'Accuracy' seems to be the mantra for Google's imaging team this year. 'Real Tone' ensures a more precise portrayal of a broad spectrum of real-life skin tones. Coupled with improved lighting performance and low-light steadiness, your subjects will appear truer to life, capturing their genuine beauty and, you guessed it, “personal spirit”.
👉 Computational Audio Fixes
The Pixel 8 Pro's computational audio capabilities are a real game-changer. Not only can you isolate and remove distracting sounds in your videos, but the user interface is so intuitive that anyone can use it. It divides audio into distinct, controllable layers, paving the way for a cleaner and more immersive audio experience. While not nearly as advanced as computer software that most audio engineers are used to, it’s still an exciting step forward for those who wish to play around on a pocketable smartphone.
👉 Night Sight Mode:
Night Sight for video promises to revolutionize low-light recording, ideal for moments like evening soirees or intimate dinners. The promotional footage showcases notable enhancements in brightness and color fidelity with the feature activated. While it's unclear if the video demo genuinely represents real-world outcomes, Night Sight is set to be a game-changer if it does. Yet, potential constraints in resolution or framerate when employing this mode remain uncertain.
Differing from Video Boost, Night Sight gets activated as you record. Its efficacy hinges on the Pixel 8 Pro's revamped camera hardware.
👉 “Best Take” Features for Those "Oops" Moments
Pixel 8's camera is also about grace in those tricky photographic situations. Ever had a group photo ruined by a single person blinking? Enter "Best Take,” which lets you swap out facial expressions between heads. While some might find this a tad 'Black Mirror-esque' (I personally might pass on this one), it's an undeniable boon for the visually impaired and perhaps a hit among the older generations.
Great skin tones in Portrait Mode by @sarah.kohler
Crisp tele lens by @sarah.kohler
Lovely dynamic range by @sarah.kohler
True Leap Forward, or Just Hype?
The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a series of pioneering features designed to elevate your creativity. But one can't help but wonder: are these software innovations genuinely groundbreaking or mere gimmicks? Still, Google's track record for producing top-tier Android phones is undeniable. As the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro prepare to debut, expectations are high, particularly regarding the revamped camera system, with occasional software quirks notwithstanding.