Google Pixel 10 Pro camera got smarter, not bigger, and it kind of works

WEB DESK: Google has unveiled its new Pixel 10 series, and while the keynote itself kept the hardware details light, the real star of the show has turned out to be the camera on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL.

Early hands-on tests and photo walks reveal how much of a leap Google has made this year, not through radical hardware changes, but through smart software and AI-powered features.

Familiar hardware, smarter processing

On paper, the Pixel 10 Pro camera setup looks much like last year’s model: a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto. But the real difference comes from Google’s new Tensor G5 chip and its image processing. With improved stabilisation and new AI features, the Pixel 10 Pro captures more natural photos without the heavy HDR look that often makes phone shots seem overprocessed.

During a photo walk in Paris, the Pixel 10 Pro XL handled difficult lighting conditions well, keeping highlights under control and pulling strong detail from shadows. Even high-contrast street scenes looked balanced and realistic. Zoom has also been pushed further.

The telephoto offers 5x optical zoom, while digital zoom extends to 30x with AI assistance. Push it to 100x and Google’s generative AI attempts to reconstruct lost details, a feature that works best for static cityscapes or landscapes, though not always for fast-moving subjects.

Video steps up a level

One of the biggest upgrades comes in video. The main 50MP lens now features double the optical image stabilisation range compared to the Pixel 9 Pro, giving handheld clips a more cinematic feel. The Pixel 10 Pro also supports the AV1 codec, offering 25 to 30 percent smaller video files with no visible drop in quality. This saves storage space, though not all apps support it yet.

AI for ‘best’ photos

Beyond hardware, AI is becoming central to Google’s camera experience. Features such as Best Take automatically combine multiple frames to ensure everyone in a group photo has their eyes open.

Camera Coach, a new tool, guides users through framing and shooting tips with on-screen prompts, making it easier for beginners to take polished shots. The phone can even generate audio descriptions of scenes, offering accessibility support for visually impaired users.

A balanced early impression

The Pixel 10 Pro may not boast radically new sensors, but Google has clearly squeezed more performance out of its camera system through software and AI. The early results look promising: detailed photos, stable videos, and smarter tools that make shooting easier.

Full reviews are still to come, but early tests suggest the Google Pixel 10 Pro’s camera is one of the most capable on any smartphone today, standing up well against rivals like Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Camera comparison: Pixel 10 Pro XL vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Specification	Google Pixel 10 Pro XL	iPhone 16 Pro Max
Main Camera	50 MP, ƒ/1.7, wide angle, OIS	48 MP, ƒ/1.8, wide angle, 1.22 µm pixels, sensor-shift OIS
Telephoto Lens	48 MP, 5x optical zoom, OIS	12 MP, 5x optical zoom, 3D sensor-shift OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera	48 MP, ƒ/1.7 ultra-wide, PDAF	48 MP, ƒ/2.2 ultra-wide, PDAF
Zoom Capabilities	Up to 30x Super Res Zoom, AI enhancements to 100x ProRes Zoom	Digital zoom up to 25x, with hardware-based zoom range
Video Capabilities	8K@30fps (cloud-enhanced), 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p up to 240fps, gyro-EIS & OIS	4K Dolby Vision video up to 120fps, ProRes up to 4K@120fps, action & cinematic modes
Front Camera	42 MP wide-angle, 4K@30/60fps video	12 MP wide-angle, OIS, 4K up to 60fps, including gyro-EIS
Distinguishing Features	AI tools like Best Take, Camera Coach, generative zoom (ProRes), AV1 video codec, PixelSnap magnets, 7 years updates	ProRes video, Cinematic Mode, LiDAR depth sensing, Dolby Vision HDR, Apple Intelligence support

Camera comparison: Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Specification	Google Pixel 10 Pro XL	Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Main Camera	50 MP, ƒ/-, OIS (with double the OIS range vs Pixel 9 Pro), emphasises software/image quality via Tensor G5	200 MP, ƒ/1.7, 1/1.3″ sensor, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera	48 MP ultrawide (details unchanged from predecessor)	50 MP, ƒ/1.9, 120° field of view, dual pixel PDAF, HDR10+
Telephoto Cameras	48 MP telephoto: 5x optical; AI digital zoom up to 30x; AI-assisted detail at 100x	Dual telephoto: 10 MP (3x zoom) and 50 MP periscope (5x zoom), plus 100x AI-supported zoom
Video Capabilities	8K@30fps, Doubled OIS range on main lens; AV1 codec (25–30% smaller files), cinematic feel	8K@30fps, 4K up to 120fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, gyro-EIS, stereo recording
Front Camera	42 MP wide-angle, 4K@30/60fps video	12 MP wide-angle, PDAF, HDR10+, 4K video support
AI & Software Features	AI tools like Camera Coach, Best Take; AV1 video; generative zoom; 7 years software updates	Galaxy AI with ProVisual Engine, Enhance-X, Expert RAW, Quad Tele System (2×/3×/5×/10×), generative edits