{"id":20194,"date":"2025-08-28T01:27:38","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T01:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/?p=20194"},"modified":"2025-08-28T01:27:38","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T01:27:38","slug":"google-pixel-10-pro-review-for-photographers-the-most-minor-update-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/?p=20194","title":{"rendered":"Google Pixel 10 Pro Review for Photographers: The Most Minor Update Yet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"fluid-iframe\" style=\"max-width: 800px;\">\n<p><iframe title=\"The Google Pixel 10 Pro Review For Photographers!\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/AEIYPVVWhWw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Smartphone season is here, and, as usual, Google is starting things off. The Pixel 10 series has arrived, and although a telephoto lens has now been added to the base model, we prefer to evaluate the highest-end Pro series for its creative photo and video usage. At first glance, the specs and hardware look almost unchanged from the previous models. So is new software enough, or is this the most iterative update Google has ever released?<\/p>\n<p>We get the same sensor sizes and lens specs. The same 6.3- and 6.8-inch sizes on the LCD screens as last year. We even get the same body dimensions, which at least means that an older case would still fit. If all the changes are software and AI-based, can Google really make the 10 Pro and Pro XL worth the extra cost? As usual, I will be focusing on the photo and video capabilities only, and will stick to notable changes that I find exciting rather than giving a full overview of the phone in its entirety.  <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811906\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811906\" style=\"width: 533px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" data-perfmatters-preload=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-533x800.jpg\" alt=\"A hand holding a white Google Pixel smartphone with a prominent camera module and the Google &quot;G&quot; logo visible on the back against a black background.\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-213x320.jpg 213w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811906\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are the best phones yet from Google.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: The Phone<\/h2>\n<p>We may have the same screen sizes as the previous models, but the screens are slightly brighter with an improved 2,200 nits of brightness overall and a max peak of up to 3,300 nits. This represents about a 10% improvement over last year\u2019s models. The 10 series uses somewhat faster Tensor G5 processors on a 3nm architecture, and storage options are about the same, with a maximum of 512GB of storage available on the 10 Pro models. Google has finally caught up with Apple\u2019s MagSafe conveniences by offering its own version called PixelSnap. This and all of the others are all variations of the magnet-based Qi designs and allow for cross-compatibility with magnetic chargers and phone accessories across the board. It\u2019s a great addition that I\u2019m happy to see here.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811907\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811907\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up of a smartphone with a pale yellow back and a large black camera module, featuring a circular, purple Google-branded accessory attached to the back, resting on a black and white grid-patterned surface.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6379-120x80.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811907\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The new PixelSnap magnetic attachment system is compatible with common magnetic accessories on the market.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811904\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811904\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of the rear camera module on a modern smartphone with a silver frame and white back, showing multiple lenses and a flash against a black background.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6361-120x80.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The camera bar is the same as what came before, as are the cameras themselves.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We should see slight increases in battery life given the larger battery and more efficient processors being used this year, although the more powerful AI features could rebalance this out. Color options have been slightly changed as well this year, but construction methods for the new phones are essentially identical to the previous models and it will be hard to tell the Pixel 9 and 10 apart even upon close inspection. It\u2019s fair to say that any physical changes between the 9 and 10 series of phones are minor at best.    <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811905\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811905\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Three Google Pixel smartphones in pastel colors (green, white, and mint) are displayed on a black grid-patterned surface, each showing the back with the camera bar and Google &quot;G&quot; logo visible.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6365-120x80.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811905\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The new colors are definitely striking, but the housings are effectively identical to the Pixel 9 phones.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811903\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811903\" style=\"width: 533px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6358-533x800.jpg\" alt=\"A smartphone with a white case stands upright on a grid-patterned surface. It has a round, lavender Google-branded grip with a metal ring attached to the back. The background is dark and plain.\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6358-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6358-213x320.jpg 213w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6358-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6358-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6358-scaled.jpg 1707w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811903\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Google will market its own PixelSnap accessories and chargers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: The Lenses<\/h2>\n<p>The same three cameras return for this season, with a 48-megapixel ultra-wide f\/1.7 lens mated to a Type 1\/2.55 sensor, a 50-megapixel wide f\/1.68 lens in front of a Type 1\/1.3 sensor, and a 5x 48-megapixel telephoto f\/2.8 lens paired with a Type 1\/2.55 sensor. All three of these cameras make a return from the Pixel 9 Pro series; however, there are some notable changes. The optical stabilizer has been improved in the main camera, which means more usable still frames to be compiled, as well as better video stability. This fact should not be poo-pooed as more stable frames always give a noticeable increase in image quality. We also see the return of the upgraded 42-megapixel f\/2.2 selfie camera this year. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-023452035-602x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man with a beard and baseball cap smiles while relaxing on a colorful patio chair, holding a curly-haired dog in his lap. Flowers and trees are visible in the serene outdoor background.\" width=\"602\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-812044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-023452035-602x800.jpg 602w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-023452035-241x320.jpg 241w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-023452035-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-023452035-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-023452035.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\"\/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811910\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811910\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6367-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Three Google Pixel phones in different colors\u2014light green, white, and pale mint\u2014are displayed on a black grid cutting mat, showing their backs with camera bars and Google &quot;G&quot; logos.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6367-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6367-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6367-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6367-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811910\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The cameras haven\u2019t changed since last year\u2019s models. However, the base 10 model does get a 5X telephoto lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811908\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811908\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of the top portion of a smartphone against a black background, showing the front-facing camera centered above the screen. The screen reflects some light, creating white blurred shapes.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6383-120x80.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811908\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The front-facing camera returns from the Pixel 9 Pro.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The other big change is the ability for the 5x telephoto camera to focus closer than before. That said, this only shows when specifically locking the lenses and using the telephoto lens, and the tighter frame is only marginally noticeable when using autofocus. However, using manual focusing provides a way closer macro capability than before, which allows for lots of working distance from the subject. If you do not lock the lenses separately from each other, most users will notice no difference in the macro ability of the phone, as it will simply use or switch to the main and ultra-wide camera as the phone is brought closer to the subject.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811916\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811916\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Main-Camera-Comparison-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up comparison of a pink and yellow flower, showing clearer detail and sharpness in the right image labeled &quot;Pixel 10 Main Camera Macro&quot; versus the left image labeled &quot;Pixel 9 Main Camera Macro.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Main-Camera-Comparison-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Main-Camera-Comparison-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Main-Camera-Comparison-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Main-Camera-Comparison-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you rely on the automatic lens selection, there appears to be no difference in macro capability.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_812054\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-812054\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-AF-vs-MF-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Side-by-side images of a vintage Zeiss Ikon camera: left, a full view labeled &quot;Pixel 9 Pro 5x Macro With Autofocus&quot;; right, a close-up of the lens labeled &quot;Pixel 10 Pro 5x Macro With Manual Focus.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-812054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-AF-vs-MF-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-AF-vs-MF-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-AF-vs-MF-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-AF-vs-MF-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-812054\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you lock the lenses and manually focus the 5x lens, you can achieve significantly better macro ability with plenty of working distance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180514842-602x800.jpg\" alt=\"A bumblebee with orange-striped legs clings to a vibrant purple flower, collecting nectar in bright sunlight, surrounded by more purple blossoms and green foliage.\" width=\"602\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-812046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180514842-602x800.jpg 602w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180514842-241x320.jpg 241w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180514842-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180514842-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180514842.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180140295-602x800.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a vibrant orange flower with layered petals and visible yellow-tipped stamens at the center.\" width=\"602\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-812045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180140295-602x800.jpg 602w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180140295-241x320.jpg 241w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180140295-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180140295-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-180140295.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The major change to the lenses this year isn\u2019t actually a lens change but rather an AI-assisted software effect that will be sure to stir up some controversy. Google has a new feature designed to extend the range of the telephoto camera by allowing up to a 100x zoom effect. The phone can still push the zoom range to 20x and even further by digitally restoring lost pixels and maintaining a high pixel count, but the 100x works at a 12-megapixel level only. <\/p>\n<p>From what I can deduce, the phone does one of two things. It will analyze the scene and use AI to enhance the amount of detail, recreating edges and textures, while still following the structure of the original subject. Or it will flat-out replace the hard-to-identify structures with completely AI-generated objects. Sometimes the effect is quite useful, with an uncanny ability to restore lost detail akin to the security footage enhancement on an episode of CSI. However, we did also find situations where the phone will make up text or strange symbols where it feels it needs to, and I can imagine plenty of moon shots at 100x will be fully generated moonscapes to replace the white circle in the sky originally captured. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811915\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811915\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-HiRes-100x-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Side-by-side comparison of a squirrel eating, showing an unprocessed 100x zoom photo on the left and an AI-processed 100x HiRes zoom version on the right, both above a turquoise sign reading &quot;Lagoon Sal.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-HiRes-100x-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-HiRes-100x-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-HiRes-100x-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-HiRes-100x-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This is a good example of the 100x ProRes zoom effect enhancing the info already present.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_812048\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-812048\" style=\"width: 602px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-183622798-602x800.jpg\" alt=\"A sign with blurry text and images of cows. The heading reads &quot;Attention dog owners&quot; in red, followed by mostly unreadable black text. The sign is outdoors, with grass visible at the bottom.\" width=\"602\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-812048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-183622798-602x800.jpg 602w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-183622798-241x320.jpg 241w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-183622798-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-183622798-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-183622798.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-812048\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Where the phone could make out the letters, it retained them. Where it could not, it replaced them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>My feelings are mixed on this. On the one hand, many casual users will find the 100x zoom effect very useful for enhancing the detail of something like a bird in a tree or a humpback whale tail at sea. The quality is not going to pass muster with more experienced photographers, but your friends and family on Instagram will get a much nicer image to look at than the blurry mess that would have been shown previously. The fully AI-generated effects, though, will be a line that many will feel shouldn\u2019t have been crossed, and I agree with them. It\u2019s one thing to choose to add a completely AI-generated subject to an existing scene as a fun distraction, and another to completely replace what reality gave you with a fully generated subject. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811914\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811914\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Editing-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A person in a black shirt and jeans stands outdoors near trees and a body of water, outlined with a white border. A faded silhouette of the person is behind them, suggesting they were digitally moved in the image.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811914\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Editing-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Editing-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Editing-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Editing-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811914\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The magic editor is largely unchanged, and allows you to move objects or add AI-generated subjects.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811918\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811918\" style=\"width: 602px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PXL_20250822_190413812.RAW-012-Custom-602x800.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a black shirt and jeans stands by a lake, holding up a large fish with one hand. At his feet, there is a pile of caught fish. Trees and water are visible in the background.\" width=\"602\" height=\"800\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811918\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PXL_20250822_190413812.RAW-012-Custom-602x800.jpg 602w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PXL_20250822_190413812.RAW-012-Custom-241x320.jpg 241w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PXL_20250822_190413812.RAW-012-Custom-1156x1536.jpg 1156w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PXL_20250822_190413812.RAW-012-Custom-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PXL_20250822_190413812.RAW-012-Custom.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811918\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The final result makes a fisherman out of Jordan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: The Images<\/h2>\n<p>So many of the image editing and processing features are ones we have seen before on the Pixel 9 series, and aside from some minor changes, they are largely the same as before. The excellent Google Night Sight returns, as well as Auto Best Take and Add Me, <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2024\/08\/21\/google-pixel-9-pro-review-for-photographers-its-all-about-ai\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">which we\u2019ve previously tested<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Google doesn\u2019t lock its manual controls behind a separate app, and it\u2019s easy as always to access RAW capture capability and filter options. Testing the dynamic range of the RAW files showed very similar results to the Google Pixel 9 Pro phones, with some ability to push and pull shadows or play with color. <\/p>\n<p>Playing with the fully AI-generated prompts in the editing suite yielded very similar results to past experiences. I can change the size of subjects in my images, move them to different areas, and add whatever strange objects and scenarios I feel like experimenting with. For example, I made Jordan Drake larger in one image, moved him to the right side of the frame, entered a prompt to generate a fish in his hand, and then asked the phone to create a pile of fish on the ground. The results are hokey and silly, with obvious halos around objects and some mistakes with masking present. Again, familiar results compared to past experiences. This feature hasn\u2019t improved much. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-201306713-602x800.jpg\" alt=\"A calm pond reflects blue sky and fluffy clouds, surrounded by green trees and grass. A small wooden dock extends into the water, with a few scattered people in the distance under a sunny sky.\" width=\"602\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-812050\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-201306713-602x800.jpg 602w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-201306713-241x320.jpg 241w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-201306713-1157x1536.jpg 1157w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-201306713-1542x2048.jpg 1542w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-201306713.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-193455802-800x602.jpg\" alt=\"A calm lake with clear water reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, surrounded by green trees under a sunny sky.\" width=\"800\" height=\"602\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-812049\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-193455802-800x602.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-193455802-320x241.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-193455802-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-193455802-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Still, the camera does a good job of erasing unwanted objects and moving subjects around. I wouldn\u2019t find myself using these features, but I can see how more casual users would find some fun to be had playing with the editor. It\u2019s very important to note that Google has added the Pixel 10 phones to the C2PA authenticity standard, which will record any AI or editing changes made to the images as a way of showing some transparency in how said images came to be. This is absolutely the right thing to do and is a positive step in ensuring that any editing is tracked and monitored to some degree.<\/p>\n<p>Also notable is that Google is applying C2PA metadata to all photos, not just ones that have been altered with AI, <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/02\/13\/samsungs-image-authenticity-approach-is-backward-and-its-ais-fault\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">which we called out as a major miss<\/a> when Samsung added C2PA support earlier this year. So, good on Google here. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_812042\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-812042\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-800x602.jpg\" alt=\"A vintage camera sits on a white shelf next to a small framed photo and a plant, with sunlight streaming through a nearby window that overlooks a backyard and trees.\" width=\"800\" height=\"602\" class=\"size-large wp-image-812042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-800x602.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-320x241.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-1536x1157.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-2048x1542.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-812042\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Google Pixel 10 Pro shoots essentially the same resolution files, and has the same dynamic range in its standard raw images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_812043\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-812043\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-2-800x602.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"602\" class=\"size-large wp-image-812043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-2-800x602.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/TC-000936781-2-320x241.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-812043\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can push the raw files a fair amount, but you will deal with some noise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There is a new learning tool this year, which I have to say is pretty invaluable for beginner photographers. Called Google Camera Coach, I must say I was more impressed with it than I thought I would be: it is very easy to use and very slick. I even found myself appreciating some of the reminders that it suggested. <\/p>\n<p>To us it, you simply frame a subject and then run the Camera Coach. The phone will analyze the scene, ask you what is important to you in it, and then give legitimately helpful suggestions to capture a better photograph. I found the interface easy to use and the process fun, making it easy to learn actually good techniques. If AI is going to be in our phones, this is the way I would prefer it to help. <\/p>\n<p>On that same topic, I often rely on portrait modes in smartphones and the selective focus effect that they offer. The Google Pixel 9 Pro <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/03\/15\/which-smartphone-delivers-the-best-photos-in-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">had poor performance in this regard<\/a>, and I\u2019m happy to report that the 10 Pro is much better. It masks the subject well, has a far less obvious transition, and handles fly-away hairs and smooth gradients of focus much better than before. <\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811917\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811917\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Portrait-Mode-CU-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up side-by-side comparison of a girl's face taken with Pixel 9 Pro (left) and Pixel 10 Pro (right) in portrait mode, focusing on her eye, ear, and hair, with differences in color and sharpness visible.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Portrait-Mode-CU-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Portrait-Mode-CU-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Portrait-Mode-CU-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Portrait-Mode-CU-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Pixel 10 has much more natural-looking depth of field effects in portrait mode.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_811912\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-811912\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Camera-Coach-800x450.jpg\" alt=\"A smartphone camera app displays a preview of a lake scene with trees, grass, and blue sky. An on-screen tip suggests reframing to include the foreground grass. Camera controls appear at the bottom.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" class=\"size-large wp-image-811912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Camera-Coach-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Camera-Coach-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Camera-Coach-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Pixel-10-Camera-Coach-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-811912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Camera Coach is a great learning tool and easy to use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Video Feels Forgotten<\/h2>\n<p>I wish there were more to say about the video features, but everything is essentially the same as before. Google made significant progress with the Pixel 9 Pro, and that naturally carries over. You can get 8K recording up to 30 frames per second (FPS), although this is possible only using Google\u2019s cloud-based video boost mode that raises resolution digitally after the fact.  Otherwise, 4K up to 60FPS is present, and the image quality in 10-bit HDR mode is pretty good. We also really like the Audio Magic eraser tool, which can filter out unwanted sounds right in the camera. If you liked the Pixel 9 Pro video, you\u2019ll like this as well.<\/p>\n<p>With Apple ProRes Log being available for several years now and <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/01\/29\/samsung-s25-ultra-review-it-smooths-out-the-rough-edges\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">Samsung adding its own log profile<\/a> earlier this year, its absence on the Google Pixel 10 series is exceptionally notable. The Pixel series has been our least favorite for shooting video, and that is unlikely to change this year. <\/p>\n<h2>Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: More of the Same<\/h2>\n<p>I think it\u2019s fair to say that the Pixel 10 Pro upgrades are pretty minor and, subsequently, underwhelming. As much as I enjoyed some of the new features, the only one that I would really benefit from on a regular basis is the improved portrait mode. Of course, a phone is more than just its cameras, and the AI assist tools for monitoring your correspondence or finding you great restaurants might very well be awesome to use, depending on how invasive you like your phone to be. <\/p>\n<p>However, from an image-making standpoint, the Pixel 10 Pro phones are largely more of the same, and I wouldn\u2019t upgrade from a Pixel 9. Even the Pixel 8 phones make many of the same shots that the 9 and 10 series do, and your enjoyment factor will mostly depend on how much AI you want in your images.<\/p>\n<p>I firmly believe that the North American phones are hitting a hardware plateau, and attention will be diverted to the software side of things in an attempt to really wow us. As of the date I\u2019m writing this article, I will have to wait and see what Apple and Samsung come out with to confirm if my theory is true. <\/p>\n<p>Make no mistake, the Google Pixel 10 Pro is the best image maker that the company has offered, and I\u2019ve always liked the control scheme and the more natural look to the color and detail. However, we definitely live in a world now where our smartphone images will be more AI-generated and less actual, real captures. Google is full-steam-ahead into this future of photography, for better or worse.<\/p>\n<h3>Are There Alternatives?<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2025\/01\/29\/samsung-s25-ultra-review-it-smooths-out-the-rough-edges\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/a> will give you a whole host of AI features \u2014 many of which are shared with Google\u2019s Pixel since they both run Android \u2014 and I really enjoyed the portraits and overall look to the photos it takes. Despite it being a little older, since Samsung does its release in January instead of the fall like everyone else, it feels like a competitive model to the Pixel 10 Pro, given that the updates are so minor this year.  <\/p>\n<p>You could also look at <a href=\"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/2024\/08\/21\/google-pixel-9-pro-review-for-photographers-its-all-about-ai\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">the Google Pixel 9 Pro<\/a>, which will now be at a better price and will give you a very similar overall photographic experience. For something less expensive with fewer AI features but still a competent camera system, the Nothing Phone 3 is a solid alternative. <\/p>\n<h3>Should You Buy It?<\/h3>\n<p>Maybe. If you have been holding out for a while, the Pixel 10 Pro is an excellent phone for the photographer. If you already have a Pixel 8 or 9 Pro, though, it might be worth waiting another year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smartphone season is here, and, as usual, Google is starting things off. The Pixel 10 series has arrived, and although a telephoto lens has now been added to the base model, we prefer to evaluate the highest-end Pro series for its creative photo and video usage. At first glance, the specs and hardware look almost [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/petapixel.com\/assets\/uploads\/2025\/08\/DSC_6375-533x800.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-20194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20194"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creatorkitdepot.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fofferexpiration&post=20194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}