9 Pixel Camera Settings To Change Right Now For Much Better Photos

9 hours ago

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The Pixel camera is arguably one of nan astir powerful smartphone cameras available, but for illustration truthful galore of Google's products, immoderate of nan champion features require a small digging. I've tested almost each Pixel camera to date, and I've learned that nan champion image value originates by knowing which settings really matter and erstwhile to usage them.

These are nan 9 camera settings I've changed connected my Pixel 10 Pro to amended image quality. Some activity crossed each caller Pixel models, and others are exclusive to nan Pro lineup.

1. Switch to nan afloat sensor pinch a 4:3 facet ratio

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For years, I changeable successful 16:9 facet ratio connected my Pixel, chiefly because it looked much cinematic and modern. Then 1 time I publication nan mounting explanation pinch caller eyes: "Wide Crop."

Also: Why I'm recommending this Google Pixel 10 exemplary to astir group (and don't regret it)

Your Pixel's camera sensor is physically shaped successful a 4:3 ratio. When shooting successful 16:9, nan camera is cropping disconnected nan apical and bottommost of nan image earlier nan shutter is moreover pressed. You're permanently throwing distant vertical resolution.

Switching to 4:3 intends keeping everything nan sensor is seeing. You tin ever harvest to 16:9 afterward if you are going for that cinematic look, but you can't adhd backmost information that was ne'er captured successful nan first place.

Open nan camera app, pat nan Settings cogwheel icon > Ratio > Full Image (4:3). Your photos will look somewhat taller successful nan viewfinder, but you'll seizure a batch much data.

2. Enable Rich Color for wider colour information

The Display P3 colour abstraction captures much colour accusation than nan older sRGB standard, peculiarly successful nan reds and greens. More colour accusation intends much vibrant images, and that intends much elasticity erstwhile editing later. There's really nary downside to conscionable leaving this mounting on.

Go to Settings > More Settings > Rich colour successful photos and toggle it on. Your Pixel will now seizure pictures pinch a wider colour gamut, and you'll decidedly announcement nan quality connected compatible displays.

3. Try Ultra HDR to adhd vibrant brightness

Ultra HDR mode dramatically boosts brightness, improving photos pinch vibrant colour and contrast. Once you alteration it, you mightiness find it difficult to spell backmost because it gives your images a much live and move look, peculiarly connected displays that support it.

That said, nan mode is decidedly not for everyone. Some users announcement a blooming aliases halo effect astir agleam objects and high-contrast edges, which tin consciousness unnatural. While I for illustration nan look of this setting, I admit your mileage whitethorn vary.

To toggle Ultra HDR, spell to Settings > More Settings > Ultra HDR and move it connected aliases off.

4. Use on-screen Grids for amended composition

I usage Grid overlays constantly. They thief maine debar nan inclination to halfway each subject, and, much importantly, they make readying for vertical crops overmuch easier. When I framework pinch nan Rule of Thirds and spot my main taxable wrong 1 of those on-screen columns, cropping to a vertical format later becomes dormant simple.

Also: I changed 10 settings connected my Google Pixel telephone to easy amended nan personification experience

Navigate to Settings > More Settings > Grid Type > 3x3 to alteration nan Rule of Thirds grid for illustration I do. Two horizontal and 2 vertical lines will look successful your viewfinder, creating 9 sections. Place important elements astatine nan intersections for much dynamic, balanced compositions. The aureate ratio Grid is an action that takes accepted picture-taking know-how and makes it dormant elemental to apply.

5. Turn connected Framing Hints to support your shots level

I ever person Framing Hints active, chiefly arsenic a gut-check for sky leveling. Whether I'm shooting landscapes aliases conscionable trying to support a thoroughfare segment straight, those 2 lines that meet and move yellowish astatine zero degrees are helpful. The overhead parameter comes successful useful erstwhile I americium shooting top-down merchandise shots of phones for my reviews.

Enable this successful Settings > More Settings > Framing hints. You'll get a horizontal level parameter and an up/down guideline for overhead shots, keeping your telephone perfectly parallel to nan ground.

6. Access Pro Controls for manual photography (Pro models only)

This is wherever nan Pixel 10 Pro (and different Pro models for illustration nan 8 Pro, 9 Pro, and Pro Fold) genuinely separates from nan guidelines model. Pro Controls springiness you manual sliders for focus, shutter speed, ISO, achromatic balance, Exposure, Shadows, and moreover Night Sight settings for low-light shots. This benignant of elastic power makes you an progressive usability successful nan field.

Also: Own a Google Pixel? 8 settings I changed to widen nan artillery life by hours

From nan main camera viewfinder, pat nan Controls icon successful nan lower-right area and swipe nan toolset near to correct for each function. These controls are useful for low-light photography, controlled mobility blur, aliases immoderate business wherever you request much imaginative power than nan car mode provides.

7. Understand erstwhile to usage 50MP vs 12MP (Pro models only)

This mounting confuses a batch of people, truthful fto maine break down my existent workflow. The Pixel 10 Pro's 50MP sensor uses pixel binning by default, combining each that pixel information down into a much manageable 12MP file.

I usage 12MP for astir things because it saves space, pixel binning tin really thief pinch low-light and fast-motion scenarios, and typical Pixel features, specified arsenic Top Shot and Motion Photos, require it.

Also: The champion Google phones successful 2025: How does nan Pixel 10 Pro Fold stack up?

I move to 50MP erstwhile I'm shooting landscapes to seizure each that other detail, aliases erstwhile I'm readying to make ample prints of my pictures later. Just beryllium alert that 50MP files tin return up much retention space.

Change this successful Settings > Pro tab > Resolution and toggle betwixt 12MP and 50MP based connected your shooting scenario.

8. Shoot RAW + JPEG for editing elasticity (Pro models only)

I typically usage JPEG for mundane shooting, but erstwhile I went connected a family travel to Italy recently, I switched to RAW + JPEG mode. I knew I mightiness want to make prints afterward, and having nan elasticity to retrieve highlights and manipulate protector item was important to me.

There's a large tradeoff, however. RAW files successful DNG format return up a ton much abstraction connected your device, truthful usage them pinch care. But for important shots wherever you want maximum editing control, it's wholly worthy it.

Enable this successful Settings > Pro tab > RAW/JPEG > RAW + JPEG. As nan sanction suggests, you'll get some a compressed JPEG for speedy sharing and a afloat RAW record for superior editing later. This mounting is nan champion of some worlds.

9. Switch to Manual Lens Selection to forestall unwanted cropping (Pro models only)

There person been aggregate times erstwhile I'm pointing astatine an entity that's not excessively acold distant but not ace close-up, and nan Pixel has a difficult clip determining which is nan correct lens for nan job. The instrumentality past automatically switches to nan incorrect lens, resulting successful a distorted, fuzzy foreground image that's wholly unusable. Manual lens action prevents that issue.

Set this to Manual successful Settings > Pro tab > Lens Selection > Manual. Now you get direct, DSLR-like power complete precisely which lens is being used.

These 9 settings person transformed really I sprout pinch my Pixel 10 Pro. Whether you're shooting family memories aliases trying to maestro manual photography, taking a fewer minutes to make these adjustments will unlock importantly amended image quality.

Follow my latest tech reviews and projects crossed societal media. You'll find maine connected YouTube astatine YouTube.com/@JasonHowell, connected X (formerly Twitter) astatine @JasonHowell, and connected Instagram astatine Instagram.com/thatjasonhowell.