Google has unveiled its new Pixel 10 series, and while the keynote itself kept the hardware details light, the real star of the show has turned out to be the camera on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL.
Early hands-on tests and photo walks reveal how much of a leap Google has made this year, not through radical hardware changes, but through smart software and AI-powered features.
Familiar hardware, smarter processing
On paper, the Pixel 10 Pro camera setup looks much like last year’s model: a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto. But the real difference comes from Google’s new Tensor G5 chip and its image processing. With improved stabilisation and new AI features, the Pixel 10 Pro captures more natural photos without the heavy HDR look that often makes phone shots seem overprocessed.
During a photo walk in Paris, the Pixel 10 Pro XL handled difficult lighting conditions well, keeping highlights under control and pulling strong detail from shadows. Even high-contrast street scenes looked balanced and realistic. Zoom has also been pushed further.
The telephoto offers 5x optical zoom, while digital zoom extends to 30x with AI assistance. Push it to 100x and Google’s generative AI attempts to reconstruct lost details, a feature that works best for static cityscapes or landscapes, though not always for fast-moving subjects.
Video steps up a level
One of the biggest upgrades comes in video. The main 50MP lens now features double the optical image stabilisation range compared to the Pixel 9 Pro, giving handheld clips a more cinematic feel. The Pixel 10 Pro also supports the AV1 codec, offering 25 to 30 percent smaller video files with no visible drop in quality. This saves storage space, though not all apps support it yet.
AI for ‘best’ photos
Beyond hardware, AI is becoming central to Google’s camera experience. Features such as Best Take automatically combine multiple frames to ensure everyone in a group photo has their eyes open.
Camera Coach, a new tool, guides users through framing and shooting tips with on-screen prompts, making it easier for beginners to take polished shots. The phone can even generate audio descriptions of scenes, offering accessibility support for visually impaired users.
A balanced early impression
The Pixel 10 Pro may not boast radically new sensors, but Google has clearly squeezed more performance out of its camera system through software and AI. The early results look promising: detailed photos, stable videos, and smarter tools that make shooting easier.
Full reviews are still to come, but early tests suggest the Google Pixel 10 Pro’s camera is one of the most capable on any smartphone today, standing up well against rivals like Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Camera comparison: Pixel 10 Pro XL vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
