The camera might be the most significant area where Google can enhance its offerings. Why is that? Well, the Pixel 10 comes equipped with a triple camera setup, a capability that has traditionally been associated with premium smartphones in a lineup. On the Pixel 10, there’s a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera featuring 5x optical zoom, and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view. Indeed — the standard Pixel 10 boasts the big three camera choices, granting it more versatility than most competitors in its pricing tier.
There are, however, some drawbacks to these advancements. Regrettably, it appears that the inclusion of a telephoto lens resulted in a reduction in quality for the other two cameras compared to the Pixel 9. While the Pixel 9’s primary camera sported a 1/1.3-inch sensor, the Pixel 10 has instead opted for a 1/2-inch sensor. Additionally, as noted, the ultrawide camera is 13 megapixels, a drop from the 48-megapixel camera that was part of the Pixel 9.
On one side, I get the rationale behind these modifications. Previously, the telephoto camera represented the significant camera enhancement for Pro-tier devices, so the sameness of the other two cameras throughout the series was less critical. Yet, I can’t shake off the feeling of unease regarding the Pixel 10’s downgrade of certain features relative to the Pixel 9.
In normal usage, however, you probably won’t discern any degradation in camera performance, even if you’ve been accustomed to the Pixel 9 for the last year. In specific scenarios, a minor absence of depth in the image might be noticeable owing to the smaller primary camera sensor, and under low-light conditions, the device struggled to gather as much detail when utilizing the main and ultrawide cameras. This isn’t to suggest that low-light photography is poor — I still found the Pixel 10 outperformed the Galaxy S25, and it certainly brightened and enriched a darker scene. Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 was superior for low-light captures, while the iPhone 16 excelled above all three (Pixel 9, Pixel 10, and Galaxy S25).
I actually discovered that the Pixel 9 produced finer images than the Pixel 10 when zoomed in on low-light landscapes. To be fair, this started to shift at much higher zoom levels, where both devices yielded quite indistinct images. Although the Pixel 10 can zoom further than the Pixel 9, at approximately 5x zoom, the Pixel 9’s low-light images were superior — likely due to its reliance on the larger sensor of the main camera.
In well-lit conditions, the Pixel 10’s zoomed images were notably better. The Pixel 9 can only zoom up to 8x and produces admirable results at this zoom level despite not having a telephoto camera. However, the images from the Pixel 10 displayed slightly more detail. Of course, the Pixel 10 can also zoom to 20x. Even at that point, the images were quite commendable. Google’s image processing for zoomed pictures has consistently ranked among the best, and that continues to hold true with the standard Pixel 10, even without the new generative AI-based Pro Res Zoom feature found in the Pixel 10 Pro.
Located on the front of the device is a 10.5-megapixel selfie camera, which yielded satisfactory results overall. It managed to capture a good level of detail, even in tricky situations, such as when the sun was positioned directly behind me — though it did experience some lens flare issues.
So, where does this leave the Pixel 10’s overall camera configuration? I’m pleased that Google included the telephoto camera, even if it did result in a slight decline in picture quality from the ultrawide and main cameras. You’ll still receive an exceptional camera, comparable to the Galaxy S25 and superior in certain scenarios, like low-light shooting, and on par with the iPhone 16 except in zoomed shots, where it’s advantageous.
AI enhancements
There are numerous AI-driven camera functionalities integrated into the Pixel 10 as well. For instance, there’s the new Camera Coach feature, which is tailored to analyze a scene through the camera and provide guidance for capturing a better image. It achieves this by examining the scene using AI and then offering instructions personalized for that specific situation. These recommendations may pertain to framing, lighting, and fundamental composition aspects of the photograph. Most casual smartphone photographers might opt to disable it, though I can see it being useful for those who wish to elevate their smartphone photography skills.
Additionally, there are innovative text-based editing options. These enable you to articulate how you wish to modify a photo using natural language rather than needing to familiarize yourself with various settings. It’s a nifty
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