by The arrival of new Google Pixel phones is always a big time to take notes – and so it proved again with the launch of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
While the new flagships aren’t quite as headline-grabbing as the Pixel 3’s introduction of ‘Night Sight’, they do bring a mix of exciting hardware and software upgrades that could propel them into the upper echelons of the best camera phone guide.
The basic hardware recipes of both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are not radically different from their predecessors. Both have the same 50MP main and 12MP ultra-wide cameras, with the Pixel 7 Pro bringing an additional 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom power.
Under the hood, though, Google’s new Tensor G2 processor powers some fancy computational photography features, like Photo Unblur and a new Cinematic Blur mode that looks suspiciously like Apple’s Cinematic Mode.
So what are the most exciting photography features of the two phones? We’ve listed what we’re looking forward to trying here – starting with this cheat mode for all our snapping mistakes, Photo Unblur…
1. Photo Defocus (Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro)
Luckily, every one of our photos is perfectly clear and never contains any errors (okay, that’s a lie), but if your library is littered with blurry clangers, then Google’s Photo Unblur trick could be a welcome addition.
Initially only available in the Google Photos app on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro (though we suspect it’ll be coming to other phones soon), Photo Unblur is a development of Google’s existing blur and sharpen tools, and should complement the face nicely The blur trick that arrived last year in the Pixel 6 series.
Unlike Face Unblur, Photo Unblur is designed to be used retrospectively on existing photos rather than at the moment of capture. While it can’t perform miracles in catastrophic burst incidents, early demos show an impressive ability to rescue shots that have been softened by slow shutter speeds, focus issues or mild hand shake. And it will work on photos taken on any camera, too.
2. Macro Focus (Pixel 7 Pro)
It’s far from the first phone with a dedicated macro feature, but the addition of autofocus to the Pixel 7 Pro’s upgraded ultra-wide lens is a big deal for fans of Google’s smartphones.
Our US mobile editor Philip Berne explained why macro was the Pixel 7 Pro feature he was most excited about ahead of the phone’s launch. And Google got his wish with a feature that should match the close-up shots possible on competitors like the iPhone 14 Pro.
It’s not yet clear what software tricks Google has brought to this feature, but it promises to let you focus on objects from as little as 3cm away. Macro Focus will also automatically activate when you get close to a subject, switching from the main camera to the ultra-wide.
It’s a feature we can’t wait to use for a spin (watch out, spiders). In the meantime, you can check out some sample shots in this Google Photos gallery. (opens in new tab)
3. Improved Super-Res Zoom (Pixel 7 Pro)
Zoom promises to be one of the biggest improvements to the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. The Pro model now has 5x optical zoom (instead of the Pixel 6 Pro’s 4x zoom), but the most interesting improvement is the software trick available on both models.
Just like the iPhone 14 Pro, both phones can trim the 50MP resolution for an effective 2x zoom to 12.5MP resolution, thanks to some additional noise processing. But a more useful improvement is likely to be the processing that takes place between the Pixel 7 Pro’s native focal lengths.
Previously, these 3x or 4x optical zoom points were covered by fairly rudimentary digital zoom. However, Google claims that the Pixel 7 Pro can fill in some extra detail using the 5x telephoto camera, which should produce much more consistent results at this zoom range (in theory at least). This is definitely something we can’t wait to try.
4. Cinematic Blur Mode (Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro)
Apple’s Cinema mode brought simulated background blur, like what you’ll find in portrait mode photos, to video last year on the iPhone 13 Pro. It’s still early days for the technology, but Google has now joined the computing pool party with its take on fake bokeh video.
The problem these features are trying to solve is that smartphone cameras have too much depth of field to deliver the kind of blur that makes videos shot with dedicated cameras look cinematic.
It’s hard to crack because every frame has to be edited to look like it was shot with a bright prime lens – and based on Google’s demo above, the Pixel 7 series hasn’t made huge leaps forward.
The drop from subject to background still feels a bit artificial and heavy, but it could definitely be a handy feature for the odd scene. However, we will stick to the best vlogging cameras for a little while longer.
5. Improved night vision (Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro)
Google’s ‘Night Sight’ feature was a revelation when it arrived on the Pixel 3 in 2018. Instead of using the traditional long exposure method to expose dark scenes, it lets you shoot them handheld thanks to its amazing ability to instantly reassemble the better bits than a frame burst.
The feature has steadily improved over the years, but its issue has always been the motion blur created if something in your scene dares to move an inch during the burst sequence. Well, Google promises that this problem has, if not solved, at least improved in the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
This is because machine learning techniques allow for noise reduction, which in turn means that each frame can use half the shutter speed of before. The result? In theory, far fewer motion blur issues ruin your cityscapes and night portraits.
6. Guided Frame (Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro)
A stunning example of an AI-powered accessibility feature, Guided Frame is designed to help people who are blind or have low vision take selfies more easily on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
When you open the front-facing camera and hold it up to your face, the feature’s voice will tell you where to place the phone to compose the shot, nudging you in the right direction before letting you know when you’ve received the money.
You’ll get prompts like “move your phone slightly right and up,” while a countdown lets you know when you’re about to take the shot. Hopefully it will prompt other manufacturers to create equivalent features.
Google has also boosted the Real Tone feature on the new Pixels to ensure that each subject’s skin tone is accurate and well-exposed in your photos. With the feature tested on over 10,000 portraits and improved in partnership with Diversify Photo, it should now be much improved.
7. Improved selfie camera (Pixel 7)
Photographers may scoff at the selfie camera, but it’s one of the most commonly used lenses on a smartphone. The Pixel 7 now has an improved version that should be a decent step up from its predecessor.
The Pixel 7 now has the same 10.8MP sensor (with an f/2.2 aperture) that you’ll find on the Pixel 7 Pro and 6 Pro. This means it has an ultra-wide 20mm focal length, which is handy for squeezing lots of people into the frame. You can also use it to shoot 4K/60p videos.
It still only has fixed focus, but it should be a more useful tool for when you need a social media mug shot or a quick video for your YouTube channel.
