How to take great photos with the Pixel 3, the best camera phone around. If there’s one area where smartphones have really improved over the last couple of years, it’s photography. Google’s Pixel 2 was our reigning champion in the best camera phone category, so it’s not surprising that the device that knocked it out of the top spot was its successor, the Pixel 3.
Anyone lucky enough to have a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL has access to the pinnacle of Google’s camera know-how, and can look forward to wonderful photos that will capture precious memories for posterity. But it never hurts to know more, which is why we have crafted this hands-on guide to help you get the best from the Pixel 3 camera.
Anyone lucky enough to have a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL has access to the pinnacle of Google’s camera know-how, and can look forward to wonderful photos that will capture precious memories for posterity. But it never hurts to know more, which is why we have crafted this hands-on guide to help you get the best from the Pixel 3 camera.
Camera specs the Pixel 3
In case you're worried that the greater, more costly Pixel 3 XL may be more able in the camera office, you needn't be. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL have indistinguishable cameras front and back, so all that we talk about here applies to both cell phones.
The fundamental camera includes a solitary focal point evaluated at 12.2 megapixels. It has a f/1.8 gap and support for stage identification and laser self-adjust. There's likewise bolster for HDR and optical picture adjustment (OIS). It can record video at up to 4K goals at 30 outlines for every second (fps).
Around front, you'll locate a double focal point camera, with the two focal points evaluated at 8 megapixels. One has a f/1.8 opening and the other is a ultrawide, 97-degree focal point with a f/2.2 gap. The forward looking camera can record video at up to 1,080p at 30 fps.
These specs are disappointing on paper, yet Google's mystery sauce is its picture handling capacities, mostly controlled by an extraordinary chip that sits close by the fundamental processor called the Pixel Visual Core.
The fundamental camera includes a solitary focal point evaluated at 12.2 megapixels. It has a f/1.8 gap and support for stage identification and laser self-adjust. There's likewise bolster for HDR and optical picture adjustment (OIS). It can record video at up to 4K goals at 30 outlines for every second (fps).
Around front, you'll locate a double focal point camera, with the two focal points evaluated at 8 megapixels. One has a f/1.8 opening and the other is a ultrawide, 97-degree focal point with a f/2.2 gap. The forward looking camera can record video at up to 1,080p at 30 fps.
These specs are disappointing on paper, yet Google's mystery sauce is its picture handling capacities, mostly controlled by an extraordinary chip that sits close by the fundamental processor called the Pixel Visual Core.
The camera app
The Pixel 3 camera app is very easy to use. You’ll find modes listed along the bottom under the viewfinder window when you hold your Pixel 3 in portrait, and you simply need to swipe left or right to select them. In landscape, they’re on the right-hand side and you swipe up and down to select them. You can switch between front and back cameras using the two circular arrow icons that appear next to the big shutter button. The last shot you took appears on the other side of the shutter button and you can tap it to move into the Photos app.
At the top or left of the viewfinder window, there’s the timer, motion, the white balance, and the flash.
The timer is good for snapping shots, particularly group selfies automatically, as it gives you a few seconds to get the perfect angle. Motion captures several frames before and after you snap a shot, like a short video. It’s set to Auto by default, but you may want to turn it on all the time. We’ll look at why in the Top Shot section below.
Because photos are often tinted by the lighting conditions they’re taken in, Google’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) sets the white balance automatically to get the colors right. We recommend leaving this setting on auto. We generally turn the flash off as it doesn’t tend to get great results. The Pixel 3 also features an excellent Night Sight mode that we’ll get to in a moment.
At the top or left of the viewfinder window, there’s the timer, motion, the white balance, and the flash.
The timer is good for snapping shots, particularly group selfies automatically, as it gives you a few seconds to get the perfect angle. Motion captures several frames before and after you snap a shot, like a short video. It’s set to Auto by default, but you may want to turn it on all the time. We’ll look at why in the Top Shot section below.
Because photos are often tinted by the lighting conditions they’re taken in, Google’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) sets the white balance automatically to get the colors right. We recommend leaving this setting on auto. We generally turn the flash off as it doesn’t tend to get great results. The Pixel 3 also features an excellent Night Sight mode that we’ll get to in a moment.
