Google Pixel 7 camera features explained: Everything you need to know

By Justin Jones Last updated Oct 20, 2022

People know that Google’s Pixel phones have great Google Pixel 7 camera features. They take great pictures, even in low light, thanks to the company’s expertise in image processing. They also have other cool features.

Last year, the Pixel 6 series took a step forward with new main cameras and a number of features that were made possible by AI. What should you know about Google’s new hardware and software for cameras now that the Google Pixel 7 camera features series is official? Everything you need is in our guide.

Table of Contents

Google Pixel 7 camera features-specs

	Google Pixel 7	Google Pixel 7 Pro
Rear cameras	– 50MP main f/1.85, 1.2-micron pixels, 1/1.31-inch, octa-PD autofocus, OIS – 12MP ultrawide f/2.2, 1.25-micron pixels, 114-degree FoV, fixed-focus – 8x Super Res Zoom	– 50MP main f/1.85, 1.2-micron pixels, 1/1.31-inch, octa-PD autofocus, OIS – 12MP ultrawide f/2.2, 1.25-micron pixels, 125.8-degree FoV – 48MP 5x telephoto f/3.5, 0.7-micron pixels, PDAF – 30x Super Res Zoom
Front camera	– 10.8MP f/2.2, 1.22-micron pixels, 92.8-degree FoV, fixed-focus	– 10.8MP f/2.2, 1.22-micron pixels, 92.8-degree FoV, fixed-focus
Video	Rear cameras: 4K/60fps, 4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 1080p/30fps, 4K Cinematic Pan, 1080p active video stabilization, 240fps at 720p Front camera: 4K/60fps, 4K/30fps	Rear cameras: 4K/60fps, 4K/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 1080p/30fps, 4K Cinematic Pan, 1080p active video stabilization, 240fps at 720p Front camera: 4K/60fps, 4K/30fps

Differences between Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro cameras

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro both have a 50MP (Isocell GN1) main camera on the back and a 12MP ultrawide camera on the back. But the Pro model’s ultrawide camera has a wider field of view (125.8 degrees vs. 114 degrees) and autofocus, which has been needed for a long time. This means that the macro mode can finally be used on a Google Pixel 7 camera features, but only on the Pro model.

The Pixel 7 Pro also has a third camera on the back that is a 48MP 5x periscope lens. The Pixel 6 Pro from last year had a 48MP 4x shooter, so this is different. Still, the Pro model is worth considering if you want the best zoom.

But Google’s standard model is a big step up with its 10.8MP front-facing camera. This camera is in both the Pixel 7 Pro and the Pixel 6 Pro. After using an 8MP camera for years, we’re glad that this better selfie camera is now on the whole series.

How do the Pixel 7 series cameras compare to rivals?

It’s too early to say if the Pixel 7 series phones take better pictures than Apple, Samsung, and other brands. Still, the specifications tell us a lot about what we can expect on paper.

Both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have the same 50MP main camera that we liked on last year’s Pixel phones. We expect the main camera shots from the new phones to be on par with the best from Apple and Samsung, thanks to a large image sensor and smart processing by Google.

On the other hand, the ultrawide cameras are a tale of two halves. The Google Pixel 7 camera features the same ultrawide 12MP camera as the phones from last year. This means there is no autofocus and the field of view is 114 degrees. On the other hand, the Pro version has a 12MP ultrawide camera that can autofocus and has a wider field of view. As far as I know, all of Apple’s most recent iPhones with an ultrawide camera have autofocus. As for Samsung’s best phones, the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus don’t have this feature. Only the S22 Ultra, which costs more, has it.

There is no telephoto camera on the basic Pixel 7. Instead, Google uses Super Res Zoom to get up to 8 times closer photos. The Pixel 7 Pro, on the other hand, has a 48MP 5x periscope camera and a 30x Super Res Zoom.

Apple’s regular iPhones don’t have telephoto cameras either, but the Pro models have 12MP 3x telephoto cameras, so the Pixel 7 Pro should win this round. All Samsung phones have at least a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, and the S22 Ultra also has a 10MP 10x periscope camera. You might think the Ultra is better at long distances, but we’ll have to see if the Pixel 7 Pro’s Super Res Zoom can make up for the difference in hardware.

Pixel 7 series camera features

Google’s Pixel phones have always had interesting and powerful Google Pixel 7 camera features, like HDR+, Night Sight, and a mode for taking pictures of the night sky. With the Pixel 6 line, the company went a step further by adding features like Motion Mode, Magic Eraser, and Real Tone. So what does the Pixel 7 have in store this time?

Photo Unblur

The Pixel 7 line’s Photo Unblur function might be one of the coolest Google Pixel 7 camera features of 2022. This feature is available in Google Photos, but the company says it also runs locally on the Pixel 7 series. So what does it do?

As the name suggests, this feature makes a subject’s faceless blurry in a photo. This also works with photos from 60, 70, or even 80 years ago, with Google pointing out that sepia or black-and-white photos from that time period work best.

Pixel Pro Level Zoom leads to a much better zoom experience

The Pixel 6 Pro included a 48MP 4x periscope camera, enabling a hybrid zoom of up to 20x. Now, the Pixel 7 Pro ups the ante with a 48MP 5x periscope camera and a 30x hybrid zoom.

Similar to other smartphone manufacturers, Google has cropped its high-resolution primary camera for 2x zoom on both phones. In addition, the Super Res Zoom software technology is employed to increase image quality in this range. Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro series misleads consumers by referring to this capability as “optical zoom.” Fortunately, Google doesn’t do the same.

Macro focus

Who says you need a macro-specific camera? Since 2018, Android devices with an ultrawide camera have included a macro mode that provides more precise results than a standalone macro lens. It took some time, but Google has finally added macro mode to the Pixel range (calling it Macro Focus).

Unfortunately, macro mode is exclusive to the Pixel 7 Pro, as the normal Pixel’s ultrawide camera lacks autofocus. However, the Pro model permits a subject to be as close as three millimeters away.

Faster Night Sight

Night Sight has existed since the Pixel 3 lineage, joining Huawei as one of the pioneers of a new generation of advanced night modes. These modes employ software techniques like multi-frame image processing and noise reduction to provide brighter, cleaner low-light images. Yes, the Pixel 7 phones have improved in this regard.

Google claims Night Sight is twice as quick on its newest smartphones. Therefore, you will spend less time trying to hold the phone steady, and blurriness will be lessened. The startup also claims to use Tensor hardware to denoise the Night Sight image, promising results that are even clearer than previously.

Active Stabilization

There have been super steady video options on Android for a few years, with Samsung popularising the mode in 2019. Since then, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and other OEMs have adopted the feature, and Apple recently added it to the iPhone 14 series.

Now, Google has joined the super-stable video bandwagon with the “Active Stabilization” feature on the Pixel 7 range. This permits more stable video recording than OIS alone, minimizing judder produced by handshakes, body movement, and other triggers.

Unfortunately, Google Pixel 7 camera features the mode’s highest resolution is 1080p, not 4K. This is hardly surprising, given stable modes from the vast majority of other manufacturers likewise support the maximum FHD resolution.

Cinematic Blur

Yes, Google’s new Pixels appear to be influenced by Apple’s Cinematic Mode. This video recording mode is essentially a portrait video mode, keeping a subject in focus and blurring the backdrop while still being able to switch the focus to a different subject.

The Google Pixel 7 camera features a maximum frame rate for Google’s Cinematic Blur option is 24 frames per second. Given that 24 fps is regarded optimal for a cinematic experience, the frame rate is not necessarily an issue.

FAQs

Does the Google Pixel 7 include a telephoto lens?

No, the Pixel 7 just has a primary and ultrawide camera on the back. The Pixel 7 Pro is equipped with standard, ultrawide, and periscope zoom lenses.

Do smartphones in the Pixel 7 series support 8K video recording?

No, the Pixel 7 series only supports 4K at 60 frames per second.

Does the Pixel 7 have macro capabilities?

The Pixel 7 Pro is the only model with a macro mode.