Google Pixel series camera shootout (Update: Pixel 5 vs Pixel 1 video!)

Editor’s word: This article was initially revealed on October 30, 2020. It has been up to date to incorporate the video embedded on the high of the web page.

The Google Pixel 5 is a superb purchase if you happen to’re after a strong camera cellphone that gained’t break the financial institution. However, with extra {hardware} side-grades than upgrades this yr, it’s not totally apparent whether or not a brand new buy is worth it. Perhaps Google’s legendary camera bundle is probably the most compelling purpose to purchase the most recent mannequin.

For right now’s camera shootout, we’re taking a look at three generations of Google flagship smartphones. The Pixel 3, Pixel 4, and the most recent Pixel 5. Google hasn’t modified its essential camera lens over the previous few years however has experimented with extra cameras in addition to new software program. So, let’s see what’s modified over the generations.

Feel free to take a look at the full-res photos from this shootout your self at this Google Drive hyperlink. For a glance additional again, you should definitely take a look at the video above the place we take a look at the Pixel 5 camera towards the OG Pixel!

More Pixel 5 camera shootouts:

Camera specs

Very little has modified with the primary sensor over time, bar a small tweak to the lens aperture following the Pixel 3. Much extra significant modifications are discovered within the adoption of a telephoto lens with the Pixel 4, and its alternative with an ultra-wide sensor within the Pixel 5. Google clearly modified its thoughts on which choice provides shoppers larger flexibility.

Our verdict: Google Pixel 5 overview

The entrance cameras have modified considerably too. The Pixel 3’s twin selfie camera setup was dropped for a extra commonplace semi-wide angled essential camera within the Pixel 4. This concept has caught round within the Pixel 5, albeit with a fractionally smaller sensor within the newest iteration.

As an apart, all three of the handsets have been up to date to run the most recent model of Android 11. That ensures that every Pixel handset has the most recent camera options out there.

Colors and publicity

We’ll begin our investigation with the three fundamentals. Color, publicity, and white steadiness.

Google has a fame for accuracy on this class, and we observe that each one three telephones are certainly equally distinctive. All three steadiness publicity very properly, with no apparent clipping or blocky shadows. As anticipated, the outcomes listed below are excellent throughout all three telephones.

Very shut inspection reveals barely extra saturation within the Pixel 5 within the first shot, whereas the Pixel Four is a bit more yellow and fewer orange. Meanwhile, the Pixel Three pumps up the colours a fraction extra within the second instance. Comparatively, the Pixel 5 is way more reserved. In this second shot, the Pixel Four is just about indistinguishable from the 5, bar the marginally hotter grass tone. There are small, refined modifications on a shot by shot foundation, however nothing main.

Our second batch reveals related outcomes. However, the tough HDR nature of the primary picture produces some extra noticeable variations to the white steadiness and publicity. This is a barely zoomed-in shot, and it seems that the telephoto camera on the Pixel Four finally ends up with the perfect publicity and colours though the white steadiness is greener than the opposite two.

Colors and white steadiness change subtly from scene to scene, however they’re all very related. At least outdoor.

Colors and publicity are a carbon copy between all three within the second picture. The solely refined variations might be discovered within the white steadiness. The Pixel Four is hotter this time round, and there’s a slight spotlight clip on the distant wall. Meanwhile, the Pixel 5 is barely cooler within the greens, however the brown/gray stone has a pink tint. This hotter tint is noticeable in lots of the Pixel 5’s pictures in a while too.

This final set of examples appears to be like at white steadiness with indoor lighting. There are much more apparent discrepancies right here. Especially because the lighting in all three reveals is meant to be equivalent. The Pixel Three is clearly too yellow within the first pattern, however just about a match for the Pixel 5 within the second. The Pixel Four is cooler within the first however hotter within the second, whereas the Pixel 5 overcorrects the nice and cozy lighting only a tad. The stage of selection right here is somewhat odd, but it surely’s the Pixel 5 that produces probably the most constant and best-looking outcomes.

Related: Photography phrases defined — ISO, aperture, shutter pace, and extra

Overall, all three have just about equivalent takes on coloration processing and publicity, as you’d anticipate of three Google telephones. There are refined variations from shot to shot, however no cellphone is persistently extra saturated or hotter than the others. White steadiness showcases the most important distinction indoors. There’s just one apparent development I can establish right here. Google’s Pixel 5 prefers a extra conservative strategy to white steadiness and produces the perfect yellow gentle correction.

HDR processing

High dynamic vary (HDR) processing is the linchpin of Google’s images smarts. It is subsequently price taking a more in-depth look to see how issues have modified over time. The Pixel Three is the one one in all these three to supply configurable HDR, with its HDR+ and HDR+ Enhanced toggles. I left it set to the latter. The Pixel Four and Pixel 5 are locked to auto-HDR, though the Pixel 5 has a brand new HDR Bracketing approach as of its October replace and eight.0.018 camera app, which we have now put in.

The first batch highlights the important thing distinction very properly. Note how the Pixel Three truly extracts extra coloration from the sky than the opposite two. The cellphone takes somewhat longer to course of, however appear to work more durable to keep away from spotlight clipping. As a end result, the older Pixel Three finally ends up with a better dynamic vary in each of those pictures. The Pixel 5’s HDR Bracketing approach clips lower than the Four in these two pictures, but it surely’s a extra refined distinction. The coloration processing is in any other case just about equivalent between the three. Talk a couple of shock end result.

The Pixel Three has the strongest HDR impact, whereas the Pixel 5’s HDR Bracketing gives a small enchancment over the Pixel 4.

However, the Pixel 3’s strategy doesn’t all the time work fairly so properly. The handset’s concentrate on avoiding spotlight clipping finally ends up barely underexposing the above HDR situation. It’s nonetheless a great image general, nonetheless. Meanwhile, the Pixel Four is a tad too shiny and inexperienced. The Pixel 5 showcases the perfect steadiness of coloration and publicity general.

Google clearly revised its strategy to HDR processing after the Pixel 3, but it surely’s a case of trade-offs somewhat than outright enhancements. The older cellphone has the strongest HDR impact, significantly in overcast situations. Nevertheless, it doesn’t all the time find yourself with the precise publicity and takes some time to course of. HDR may be very related between the Pixel Four and 5. The latter handles highlights higher and produces barely higher colours, nonetheless.

Cropping in on particulars

With coloration and publicity very related throughout the three telephones, maybe there are greater variations and enhancements made within the element division. To discover out, we’re going to have a look at some 100% crops, somewhat than full-frame photos.

Again, the variations, if any, are very small. The Pixel 3’s HDR+ characteristic produces extra vivid colours and a brighter publicity within the first shot. However, all three telephones have very related ranges of noise, which is especially noticeable on the shadowed flower stems. The second shot is once more very related between all three telephones, with the identical stage of element observable on the brickwork. However, the Pixel Four and Pixel 5 seem barely clearer when trying on the concrete street and hedge. That’s a slight win for the 2 newer fashions.

The Pixel Three is somewhat noisier than the Four and 5.

This tricker HDR shot, with extra shadow components, highlights an even bigger distinction. The Pixel Three clearly produced the noisier end result when peering into the shadows. The Pixel Four and Pixel 5 produce roughly the identical stage of particulars on the hay and corrugated iron partitions. They are positively higher than the Pixel 3. Although once more, you must look extraordinarily carefully at these photos to make out the variations.

Full-frame particulars are very exhausting to differentiate between all three and there are occasional noise points with the entire handsets. The Pixel Four and Pixel 5 carry out marginally higher with nice particulars, though it’s positively not an evening and day distinction.

Photography after darkish

Google excels at low gentle images, as is clear from the six photos above. All three telephones hand in wonderful colours, particulars, and affordable noise ranges in low gentle. It’s actually spectacular how a lot coloration these tiny essential sensors seize with little or no gentle. Night Sight continues to be the most effective within the enterprise, even on the older Pixel 3.

Again, there are some refined variations to the white level between the three, extra so within the potted plant picture. The Pixel Three can also be a fraction noisier, but it surely’s very exhausting to note at full body. Even in low gentle, they’re extra alike than they’re dissimilar. All three take among the best-looking low gentle pictures within the enterprise.

Taking the lights down very low doesn’t yield an enormous distinction both. Again, white steadiness is probably the most noticeable discrepancy, however they’re very shut. The Pixel Four is a tad too heat right here, however all three pictures are very related of their general presentation. Cropping in reveals extra noise on the older Pixel 3, however the Pixel Four and Pixel 5 are more durable to separate.

I actually thought we’d see an even bigger distinction between the three telephones in low gentle.

Bokeh and portraits

Another of Google’s software program methods is bokeh blur for portrait pictures. The key issues to have a look at listed below are variations within the high quality of the blur and edge detection of complicated edges.

With moderately easy topics, all three supply good edge detection though there are noticeable artifacts on the perimeters of the white field in all three photos. However, it’s the reflective floor that causes the most important downside for all three Pixel telephones. Google’s algorithm doesn’t distinguish it from the background. The on/off somewhat than rolling software of bokeh over-blurs the small print within the reflections (equivalent to Bender’s legs).

The blur high quality is sweet throughout all three telephones, however all have the identical pitfalls in terms of tough surfaces.

Moving onto portraits, there are way more noticeable variations. Especially when it comes to pores and skin tone and textures. Details are just about the identical throughout all three, though the Pixel 5’s pores and skin texture is blockier and rougher than the others. The Pixel Three gives a extra conservative pure pores and skin tone. The Pixel Four is probably the most saturated, whereas the newer Pixel 5 opts for a hotter, red-ish pores and skin tone.

When it involves bokeh, all three have some issues with edge detection round unfastened hairs. Although the Pixel Three struggles probably the most, with notable points blurring the foreground and pushing hairs into the background. That mentioned, the outcomes aren’t too unhealthy and you must crop in to actually discover the artifacts. The Pixel Four and 5 are somewhat higher, however neither captures the tough edges of the hairline precisely. Changes that Google has made to its portrait mode over time have an effect on face textures and colours greater than the standard or accuracy of the bokeh blur.

Zoom vs wide-angles

There aren’t any main variations between three generations of Google’s essential sensor, however there are greater implications for situations the place you’d need to use the Pixel 4’s telephoto or the Pixel 5’s ultra-wide cameras. Let’s begin with picture high quality when zooming in.

Sticking with the development of this shootout, there’s a minor distinction in full-frame picture high quality at 2x. Cropping in reveals a small element benefit for the Pixel 4’s 2x telephoto camera, but it surely’s not sufficiently big to fret about. Zooming into 4x begins to indicate an even bigger benefit for the Pixel 4’s zoom {hardware}. Fine particulars, equivalent to tree leaves, maintain up higher even at full body. Extending to 6x widens this hole, with the Pixel Three and 5 producing a closely processed look that’s gentle on any actual element.

Pixel 4 – 3x zoom 100% Pixel 5 – 3x zoom 100%

Pixel 3 – 7x zoom 100% Pixel 5 – 7x zoom 100%

Broadly talking, the inclusion of devoted {hardware} makes an honest distinction to the Pixel 4. Particularly in terms of nice particulars and longer zoom distances. The Pixel Three and Pixel 5 depend on software program zoom and are a lot nearer in high quality because of this. Yet, the newer Pixel 5 seems a fraction cleaner at excessive distances. For a more in-depth take a look at Super Res Zoom, take a look at the article beneath.

Read extra: Google Pixel 5 zoom take a look at: Is Super Res Zoom sufficient?

The Google Pixel 5’s ultra-wide lens is a boon for becoming extra into the scene. It’s definitely not the widest lens available on the market, but it surely gives an honest sufficient step again from the usual essential camera to be helpful. Combined with Super Res Zoom that’s usable as much as about 3x, the Pixel 5 is a versatile sufficient shooter for many situations.

Google Pixel 4 – 1x Google Pixel 5 – wide-angle

Google Pixel 4 – 1x Google Pixel 5 – wide-angle

However, the dearth of wide-angle autofocus produces outcomes that aren’t significantly sharp. Fine particulars nearer up or at a distance seem blurry if you happen to crop in. This isn’t apparent on a cellphone display however it’s when enlarging or printing a picture. Color grading and white steadiness additionally diverge noticeably from the primary sensor. The first instance showcases hotter, extra vivid colours, whereas different examples I’ve taken look extra washed out than the primary sensor. It’s nonetheless an honest ultra-wide camera for the value, however definitely not the perfect within the enterprise.

In some sense, the small variations in full-frame picture zoom high quality showcase why Google thought it worthwhile to drop the telephoto zoom. However, the so-so high quality of the Pixel 5’s wide-angle lens isn’t fairly as much as Google’s ordinary requirements, making it a combined bag. Whether the superior zoom of the Pixel Four or the broader discipline of view of the Pixel 5 is healthier relies on the kind of photos you’re taking probably the most. What’s positively clear is that each the Pixel Four and Pixel 5 supply extra flexibility than the single-camera Pixel 3.

Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4 vs Pixel 3 camera take a look at: The verdict

If you’ve struggled to inform these telephones aside for a lot of this shootout, you’re not alone. The variations, if any, between the Pixel 3, 4, and 5 are very small. While it is a testomony to Google bringing a few of its newest camera options to older telephones, it equally means that it’s in all probability time for a {hardware} improve to take the Pixel’s photos up one other stage. The Pixel Three was a terrific camera again in its day, however opponents have caught up and even overtaken in some regards.

Opinion: It’s time Google up to date Pixel camera {hardware} to match its stellar software program

Of course, it could be unfair to characterize the Pixels as having not improved at everywhere in the years. Remember that Google has introduced just a few of its newer options again to older handsets. Likewise, the Pixel 5 launched stay HDR, Cinematic Pan, low gentle portraits, and extra, for added capturing and modifying flexibility.

Pictures from the final three Pixels look extra alike than totally different.

Despite the camera similarities, there are just a few developments to pick from this shootout. The Pixel Three produces barely noisier pictures than the opposite two, significantly in HDR situations. Similarly, the Pixel 3’s HDR impact is usually stronger than the Four and 5, working more durable to keep away from clipped highlights in comparison with the newer fashions on the expense of longer processing instances. Finally, the Pixel 4’s telephoto zoom produces higher particulars for zoom photos, particularly at lengthy vary. Although it’s exhausting to identify these enhancements at full body.

But in terms of small variations in colours and shifts in white steadiness, I battle to establish any constant variations between the handsets other than the occasional heat/pink tint in just a few Pixel 5 photos. Overall, Google’s strategy to processing has remained extremely constant over the previous three generations.

I’m calling this one a draw between the fourth and fifth generations, though I do like the additional zoom high quality on supply from the Pixel 4. How about you?

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