Pixel 6 Pro has eight major camera improvements: here they are

Google comes with a new camera and improved image processing with the Pixel 6 Pro. We discuss the eight major improvements in filming and photography with these phones. From filming with HDR to Night Sight on a whole different level. These are all camera improvements.

Google Pixel 6 camera improvements

When designing the Pixel 6 series, Google has taken several steps to significantly improve the camera compared to the previous generation. There was new camera hardware, smarter image processing and the own Tensor chipset also plays an important role. Tensor is focused on applications with artificial intelligence and traditionally Google is very strong in what is called ‘computional photography’.

If you put the lenses of smartphone cameras next to an SLR camera, you will see the difference. Because a phone has to fit in our pocket, there are limitations with what you can do with hardware. Google has long adopted the approach: “If you are not strong, you must be smart” and from the first generation of Pixels, the brand has been investing in strong image processing: software optimizations that significantly boost the level of the smartphone camera.

Still, the camera hardware still plays a role. As I discussed in my recent op-ed, the Pixel 6 Pro is more than ever an interesting mix of upgraded hardware and software. In previous years, it was always that hardware part that was unfairly ignored by Google with Pixel phones. But at least that seems to be a thing of the past with the new 50MP main camera and periscope camera with 4x optical zoom. We discuss the eight camera improvements of the Pixel 6 Pro.

1. Filming with Live HDR+

If you take photos with your smartphone camera, it makes images with HDR+. That is, there is a richer contrast between the light and dark elements in an image and photos look a lot better as a result. Google can now apply these optimizations in real-time with Tensor, but also during filming. Your video images should therefore look just as good as your photos and the stabilization has also been improved, Google states in a blog post about the Pixel 6 camera.

2. Enhanced Night Photos

The Pixels’ 50MP main camera has a larger sensor, allowing it to capture 2.5 times more light compared to the Pixel 5. Plus, there’s a new laser autofocus, which should ensure better photos in difficult lighting conditions. The Night Sight function also uses an algorithm that uses motion detection via Tensor’s image signal processor (ISP). For example, the Pixel 6 series takes photos with a faster shutter speed without images being out of focus.

3. Less blurry photos

Just as we described with night photos, the camera can detect movement thanks to Tensor and that function is also used when you take photos in normal lighting conditions. To avoid getting a blurry photo, the Pixel 6 camera errs on the safe side. It automatically takes two photos in succession: a dark image that is extra sharp and a bright photo that is less sharp. Through machine learning, the Pixel 6 combines both images into a photo that is sharp, but also has the right exposure.

4. New Creative Movie Effects

When filming images in which fast movement can be seen, you can use the Motion Mode, which is a function that is currently still in beta. The aim is to keep the subject sharp, while blurring the background, creating an artistic effect. The camera creates that effect by means of a slow shutter speed and the isp of the Tensor chipset must ensure that vibrations with your hand do not lead to a subject that is blurry, just like the background.

5. Correct display of skin colors

Cameras have traditionally had a harder time taking pictures of dark-skinned people and faces look unnatural and lacking in detail. The Tensor chipset uses machine learning to recognize a dark-skinned face and immediately apply the correct exposure and white balance automatically. If you regularly take pictures of the same people, the camera also learns to take better pictures of those people thanks to the ‘Frequent Faces’ function.

6. Zoom in

Google was already quite strong in optimizing digital zoom and, according to the company, further steps have been taken in that area. Still, the biggest step this time around is the Pixel 6 Pro’s periscope camera with its 4x optical zoom. That 48 MP sensor that Google uses is larger than the main camera of the Pixel 5 and it can capture a lot of light. That, in combination with the smart image processing, should ensure clear photos when you zoom in.

7. Group selfies and filming in 4K

Furthermore, Google has also paid more attention to group selfies. You can zoom out 0.7x with the selfie camera to get a whole group of friends in one photo. For the first time you can also film in 4K on the Pixel and Google uses a noise reductionalgorithm that filters out background noise with the microphone. You know, for the vloggers.

8. Remove photobombers

This feature was previously leaked: the ‘Magic Eraser’ or Magic Eraser. You can mark elements in the photo editing of Google Photos that you want to remove from the image. Google Photos uses machine learning to recognize photobombers or disruptive objects and remove them cleanly.

Important Footnote

The Google Pixel 6 only launched on October 19 and is now shipping to the first orderers. At the time of writing, we have not yet been able to test the above functions ourselves, so we only know what has been improved in theory about the camera. We look forward to testing these improved functions in practice in the review. Until then, we take the improvements above with a grain of salt.

Have you ordered a Google Pixel 6 or a Pixel 6 Pro? Were you already able to get started with the camera and can you tell us a bit more about your experience with the above improvements? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this article.