From Left to right, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Images: Google Earlier this week, Google announced its latest Pixel phone lineup, unveiling the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
With any new lineup, there are likely questions about how the devices stack up against each other or how they compare to the old models. While we covered the basics of the Pixel 10 series at the time of launch, here we'll be diving into a more detailed look at what makes the devices stand apart regarding cameras, video features and special shooting modes.
Camera differences
Image: Google
The two 10 Pro phones and the 10 Pro Fold kept all of the same camera specs as the 9 Pro devices, so there's nothing terribly exciting there. The Pixel 10, on the other hand, has some notable changes. It added a telephoto camera to a line of devices that traditionally had only two (the wide, main camera and ultrawide). Unfortunately, the addition of that third camera resulted in downgrades (on paper) in the other two.
The primary camera on the Pixel 10 isn't a substantial change resolution wise, but that's not the story with sensor size. The Pixel 9 featured a Type 1/1. 3 (72mmat the impact is in the real world, but it certainly doesn't look good on paper.
The ultrawide camera is also significantly impacted, going from 48MP to 13MP. It also features a smaller sensor and a smaller aperture. The newly added telephoto camera on the Pixel 10 is a little lackluster compared to the non-folding Pro models.
We asked Google Gemini why Google says the Pixel 9 can take 50MP photos, but we can't find a setting to use that resolution (the same thing the Pixel 10 does), and this was its response.
Screenshot: Dale Baskin
It's also worth noting that, while Google's spec sheet says the Pixel 10's main camera uses a 48MP sensor, users will only be able to get binned 12MP images from it. This was also the case with the Pixel 9. The Pro model, meanwhile, offers a setting that allows users to select between 12MP and 50MP outputs, but this option isn't available for the standard Pixel.
Camera Spec
Pixel 9
Pixel 10
Pixel 10 Pro / Pro XL
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Wide (main)
Sensor
50MP
Type 1/1. 3 (72mm
48MP
Type 1/2 (30. 7mm
50MP
Type 1/1. 3 (72mm
48MP
Type 1/2 (30. 7mm
Aperture
F1. 68
F1. 7
F1. 68
F1. 7
Field of view
82°
82°
82°
82°
Ultrawide
Sensor
48MP
Type 1/2. 55 (23mm
13MP
Type 1/3. 1 (16. 1mm
48MP
Type 1/2. 55 (23. 5mm
10. 5MP
Type 1/3. 4 (13mm
Aperture
F1. 7
F2. 2
F1. 7
F2. 2
Field of view
123°
120°
123°
127°
Telephoto
Sensor
N/A
10. 8MP
Type 1/3. 2 (15. 5mm
48MP
Type 1/2. 55 (23. 5mm
10. 8MP
Type 1/3. 2 (15. 5mm
Aperture
N/A
F3. 1
F2. 8
F3. 1
Field of view
N/A
23°
22°
23°
Front camera
Sensor
10. 5MP
Type 1/3. 1 (13mm
10. 5MP
Type 1/3. 1 (13mm
42MP
Type 1/2. 94 (17mm
10MP
Type 1/3. 4 (13mm
Aperture
F2. 2
F2. 2
F2. 2
F2. 2
Field of view
95°
95°
103°
87°
The downgrades might make a little more sense when you consider that the telephoto camera used to be the main differentiator between the base and pro model cameras. After all, the Pixel 9 shared the same wide and ultrawide camera specs as the Pixel 9 Pro. If that stayed consistent with the addition of the telephoto camera, Google would have three devices that were essentially the same in terms of rear cameras.
The other difference between the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro cameras comes from the selfie camera. The 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL feature a higher-resolution selfie camera than the Pixel 10, so if you want really sharp selfies, you'll be better off with the Pro models.
The 10 Pro Fold uses the same main and telephoto cameras as the Pixel 10. The ultrawide camera, though, features a slightly lower resolution and smaller sensor than the Pixel 10.
Video features
Video Spec
Pixel 9
Pixel 10
Pixel 10 Pro / 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Rear video max res/FPS
4K at 24/30/60 fps
1080p at 24/30/60 fps
4K at 24/30/60 fps
1080p at 24/30/60 fps
8K at 30 fps*
4K at 24/30/60 fps
1080p at 24/30/60 fps
4K at 24/30/60 fps
1080p at 24/30/60 fps
Slow-motion video
Up to 240 fps (1080p)
Up to 240 fps (1080p)
Up to 240 fps (1080p)
Up to 240 fps (1080p)
HDR
10-bit HDR
10-bit HDR
10-bit HDR
10-bit HDR
Supported formats
H. 265 (HEVC), H. 264 (AVC)
H. 265 (HEVC), H. 264 (AVC), AV1, VP9
H. 265 (HEVC), H. 264 (AVC), AV1, VP9
H. 265 (HEVC), H. 264 (AVC), AV1, VP9
Stabilization
OIS, Fused video stabilization, Cinematic Pan, Locked, Active
OIS, Fused video stabilization, Cinematic Pan, Locked, Active
OIS, Fused video stabilization, Cinematic Pan, Locked, Active, Video Boost
OIS, Fused video stabilization, Cinematic Pan, Locked, Active, Video Boost
Video zoom
Digital up to 7x
Digital up to 20x
'Super Res Zoom' up to 20x
'Super Res Zoom' up to 20x
On the video side of things, there aren't any substantial changes from the previous generation. Most of the settings and modes remain the same. Google promises some improvements, however. For example, it says it enhanced the optical and AI-based stabilization in the Pro models, even going so far as to say it's the best of any smartphone (unsurprisingly). Google also says it improved Night Sight (the video mode for recording at night) performance.
Naturally, the Pro models promise better video capabilities than the base Pixel 10. It's important to note, however, that the 8K video isn't native 8K. It relies on Google's Video Boost setting that uses cloud-based AI processing to upscale 4K footage to 8K. It also promises to improve lighting, color, dynamic range and stabilization while reducing noise and grain.
* - 4K footage upscaled to 8K via post-processing
Shooting modes and settings
Mode / Setting
Pixel 9
Pixel 10
Pixel 10 Pro / 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Zoom settings
0. 5x, 1x, 2x
0. 6x, 1x, 5x, 10x
0. 5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x
0. 5x, 1x, 5x, 10x
Super Res Zoom
Up to 8X
Up to 20x
Up to 100x
Up to 20x
Pro Controls
No
No
Yes
Yes
High-Res (up to 50MP)
No
No
Yes
Yes
Hi-Res Portrait Mode (up to 50MP)
No
No
Yes
Yes
Auto Unblur
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Auto Best Take
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
A comparison of the camera modes and settings for still photos. There are a ton of other modes not listed here that are available on all of the models.
The camera hardware in phones is just part of the equation. What modes and settings they offer also make a difference in usability and quality. The Pixel 10 only gains a few settings over the Pixel 9. Naturally, the Pixel 10 provides more optical zoom options, since there is a telephoto lens.
Beyond updated camera array are some software changes, including Auto Best Take and Auto Unblur. The 9 offered Best Take and Unblur settings, but both were accessed during the editing process. Now, Google can handle those tasks automatically using Gemini AI. Auto Best Take is able to automatically find and combine group photos, selecting the best version of each person for the combined photo. Auto Unblur uses AI to detect and sharpen blurry photos, whether the subject is a face or not.
The Pixel 10 Pro.
Image: Google
There are a few differences between the Pro and base models as well. The Pro devices offer Pro Controls, or the ability to adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, white balance and focus in photo and video settings. The base models do not provide Pro Controls, so if you want to manually set your exposure, you'll need a third-party app.
As already discussed, the Pro models offer High-Res modes (standard images and Portrait Mode) for producing images up to 50MP, whereas the Pixel 9 and 10 do not and top out at binned 12MP images as a result. Finally, the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL offer extra reach from the Super Res Zoom, which uses a combination of cropping and generative AI to, in theory, maintain image quality even when zooming up to 100x. The Pro Fold and Pixel 10 only support Super Res Zoom up to 20x, while the Pixel 9 topped out at 8x.
Mode / Setting
Pixel 9
Pixel 10
Pixel 10 Pro / 10 Pro XL
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Video Boost
No
No
Yes
Yes
Pro Controls
No
No
Yes
Yes
Night Sight Video
No
No
Yes
Yes
A comparison of video-specific modes and settings. There are a ton of other modes not listed here that are available on all of the models.
In terms of video settings, there are a few notable differences as well. The Pixel 9 and 10 lack Google's Video Boost mode, while all the Pro models provide access to the AI tool. The Pro models also offer manual controls, just as in photo mode. Finally, only the Pro models offer Night Sight video, Google's low-light video mode that uses AI and multi-frame computational photography techniques. The mode promises less noise, increased brightness and more shadow detail while maintaining natural colors and contrast.
Choose your device
From left to right: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Images: Google
For most people, there are plenty of other considerations when choosing a phone beyond the cameras alone. However, if that's a deciding factor for you, the information above should help clarify what the differences are between the Pixel 10 series and what is different from the Pixel 9 series.
To summarize, there are very minimal camera updates when comparing the three devices in the Pixel 9 Pro lineup to the Pixel 10 Pro lineup. Some processor upgrades promise to improve various photography and videography features, but camera-specific specs remain the same. The Pixel 10 does have substantial camera changes, but they may not be to everyone's liking.
The differences between the base model and Pro devices, at least in terms of cameras, primarily come down to higher image and video quality and more control on the Pro devices.
. dpreview.com2025-8-24 21:04
