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Image taken with Google Pixel 10, Photo: del Beskin |
When Google Pixel 10 unveiled Last week, it postponed the 48MP main camera, and yet, it can only produce 12MP photos. The story is the same with last year’s Pixel 9 and its 50MP main cameras. It has motivated some users to complain that Google’s spec sheets are misleading; Why would Google advertise a proposal that Pixel owners cannot actually use? However, there is a possibility of more than the eye meeting.
Specific difference
On paper, the glasses of the pixel lineup look very straight. Pixel 9 has a 50MP main camera, and the new Pixel 10 uses a 48MP one. Nevertheless, in fact, neither the phone produces images near the size, in which each shot is capted at 12MP.
Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL also, by default, take 12MP pictures with their 50MP sensors. However, Pro models offer users the option to change resolution and turn on hi-race settings. With that turning on, the phone will output 50MP files, which is a promised resolution. Unfortunately, the standard pixel does not offer such settings, so there is no opportunity to convert into full resolution.
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| The quad bye design (right) uses an oversized version of the traditional Bayer pattern (left). Each color patch spreads more than four photodyode; Each has its own microles. Image: Customized by Sony Semiconductor illustration |
So why only put a high-resolution sensor in the phone for a quarter resolution? There may be some factors. First, the phone uses one Quad Bayer SensorWhich is different from a traditional buyer sensor, each color patch exceeds four photoodode instead of one.
While each photodeode contains a microllenge that allows it to be used as an individual pixel (with heavy help of projection), there are other ways to use data from a quad by sensor. One has to bin four photots behind each color patch, which will reduce the noise of reading and give you a resulting image that is 1/4 of the full resolution of the sensor. This method comes at the cost of some detail, but gives you a cleaner image, especially in low-light situations.
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Image taken with Google Pixel 10, Photo: del Beskin |
Another redout mode allows you to maintain more information in highlights, again at the cost of output a file which is only compared to 1/4 resolution, if you have used each photo as a single pixel. In high opposite scenes, it allows for better HDR results.
Compiring, you can choose between the maximum quantity of expansion, the minimum volume of noise or the maximum dynamic range. Or, rather, the phone manufacturer can do; While the Pro models let you choose the resolution on low-light performance, the standard model simply does not offer that option.
“There are other methods that the phone can use additional pixels, even if they do not appear in the final output as a high resolution.”
It is also important to note that there are other methods that the phones are using additional pixels, even if they do not appear in the final output as a high resolution. Smartphones rely much more on computational enhancement to produce better image quality than their small sensors. It is possible that in Google’s imaging pipeline, it can use 48MP readouts from the sensor in addition to other mode, even if the end result is a low-resolution file.
Pixel 9 and 10 imagination sheets are not wrong; They use 50MP and 48MP sensors respectively. But it is also understandable why some users feel misled when they can’t actually get the files that correspond to the proposals. The phone can take full advantage of the sensor in the background, just in a way there is no need.
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| A picture taken in 50MP mode Pixel 10 Pro XL, Photo: AB Ferguson |
Of course, it is unlikely that Google only gives people who buy Pro models, which is the option to capture in as much detail as possible with full-race photos. This is especially true because other manufacturers, such as Apple, do not divide their regular and pro model with the same lines (although Apple has a 48MP option buried in the Settings app).
This is an interesting situation because imagination sheets are designed for those who believe that the more megapixel a sensor is, the better. But the same people will probably feel betrayed by the fact that they cannot really achieve that complete resolution, even if their images would be better in most situations without it.
“At this time, the user Pixel cannot create 10 to 48MP image.”
We reached Google for clarification on this difference between hardware glasses and output. A representative for Google shared the following: “Pixel 10 Main/Wide camera is a 48MP sensor. We include a clear footnote about the resolution because even though the hardware is 48MP sensor, the pixel camera app configures the sensor in the app bining mode. At this time, the user can’t create 10 to 48MP image.”
Footnote that is referring to the Google states, “reflects the megapixel for the camera sensor. The camera image resolution output may decrease when using the default settings.” The use of “May” in that footnote is the place where Google is putting itself in a bond, because on Pixel 10, it is always low, no matter what.
