Special AI camera modes are everywhere at the moment, but something more interesting is happening behind the scenes to our cameras.
This story is part of Andy Boxall's OuttaFocus series, covering smartphone cameras and photography. All the latest AI camera features in the Google Pixel 9 Pro , Google Photos, and a host of other recently launched phones and devices got me thinking. I quite enjoy some of them and can’t deny the usefulness of Magic Eraser.
In the camera app, Google added a 2x shortcut, and you could pinch-to-zoom up to 7.5x zoom. On the Pixel 9 Pro, you can choose 2x zoom, 5x optical zoom, and anywhere up to 30x Super Res Zoom. It’s similar to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Gaalaxy S24 Ultra, apart from Samsung’s controversial “optical quality” 10x zoom option on its flagship camera phone, which replaced the 10x optical zoom on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Now, let’s see what happens at 5x zoom. The Pixel 3a still uses a digital zoom here, but the Pixel 9 Pro, P30 Pro, and Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max all have an optical 5x zoom, and the differences are dramatic. The Pixel 3a’s photo looks just how we’d expect with its pixelation, smudging, and lack of detail.
The thing is, 30x zoom shots are today’s equivalent to old 10x shots, and impressive software makes them even better. The two photos in the gallery above were taken with the Pixel 9 Pro’s 30x zoom and then given the “Zoom Enhance” treatment, where Google’s AI works to bring out more detail. None are perfect, but considering all were taken handheld at 30x by a phone, they’re not bad at all.
AI Super Res Zoom Google Pixel 9 Pro Outtafocus Telephoto Zoom Zoom Enhance
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