8 Google Camera features on Pixel 8 that take mobile photography to the next level

Unique camera app design

Google opts for a streamlined, gesture-driven interface. (Express image)

The Pixel camera app breaks from traditional smartphone camera interfaces. For instance, instead of burying video mode in a menu, there’s a handy video toggle always accessible at the bottom of the viewfinder. The app also uses gestures and a clean layout to avoid clutter.

HDR+ enabled by default

First introduced on the Nexus 6, HDR+ is the special sauce that powers the Pixel’s high dynamic range photography. Sure, other brands now offer similar HDR capabilities but on the Google Pixel, HDR+ is enabled by default and does an impressive job of exposing dark areas that’d otherwise be crushed. This mode works by snapping 3-15 underexposed and overexposed shots and then combining them into one optimised image.

Action Pan creates a sense of motion

Original photo (top), Action Pan-processed photo (bottom). (Image: Zohaib Ahmed/The Indian Express)

Action Pan lets you artistically blur backgrounds to impart a sense of speed and motion to your photos. To use it, all you need to do is swipe right until you arrive at the Action Pan mode, ensure your subject is in focus, and watch as the background in the snapped photo melts away into creamy bokeh. Since the mode saves both original and processed photos, you’ll be able to compare the two easily.

Astrophotography mode for capturing the night sky

A result of the Astrophotography mode. (Image: Google)

Building on the Night Sight mode’s low light capabilities, Astrophotography lets you capture breathtaking images of the night sky. To shoot in Astrophotography mode, mount your phone on a tripod pointed at a clear night sky away from light pollution.

Once conditions are optimal, your Pixel will prompt “Astrophotography on” and begin capturing a series of 16-second exposures over several minutes. It combines these long exposures into a single image revealing stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects in crisp detail. You can even create a timelapse video of the astrophotography process.

Zoom Enhance sharpens distant details

It isn’t perfect (notice the cables), but it’ll probably get better with time. (Image: Google)

Exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro and yet to roll out, Zoom Enhance uses generative AI to sharpen up zoomed-in photos using the device’s custom AI imaging processor. The feature extrapolates and enhances small details when you zoom in. Since it runs locally on the device, Zoom Enhance works offline too. There’s no telling when this feature will be rolled out to the Pixel 8 junior or other Android devices but we really hope Google makes it happen.

Motion Photos to add life to stills

Like Apple’s Live Photos, Motion Photos capture a few seconds of video with each photo. It silently records 1.5 seconds before and after you snap a pic. Motion Photos add liveliness and context to your still shots. You can then export these photos as short videos or use them in Google’s other motion-based features.

Frequent Faces to enhance familiar people in photos

Turn on the Frequent Faces feature, and your Pixel will identify people you photograph often. It saves facial data locally on your device without sending it to Google. Frequent Faces then improves shots of recognised individuals by recommending better-framed photos with open eyes and smiles. It also improves white balance for frequently photographed faces using the Real Tone tech.

Top Shot picks the best candid moments

Another Pixel exclusive, Top Shot uses AI to help you capture the perfect moment. When shooting photos, Top Shot buffers about 90 frames from 1.5 seconds before and after the shutter press. It then analyses the images and recommends the best shots where subjects are smiling and in focus, such that you no longer need to perform trial and error when snapping candid photos of kids and pets.