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If one of the areas in which smartphones have really improved in the last two years is photography. Google's Pixel 2 was our reigning champion in the category of best camera phones. It is therefore not surprising that the device that made him fall in the lead is his successor, the Pixel 3.
Anyone lucky enough to have a Pixel 3 or a Pixel 3 XL has the pinnacle of Google's camera know-how and can look forward to great photos that will capture precious memories for posterity. But it's never useless to know more. That's why we've designed this handy guide to help you make the most of your Pixel 3 camera.
Camera specifications
If you're worried that the bigger and more expensive Pixel 3 XL will not work in the camera business, you do not have to. The Pixels 3 and 3 XL have identical devices at the front and back, so everything we discuss here applies to both smartphones.
The main camera has a single lens rated at 12.2 megapixels. It has an aperture of f / 1.8 and supports phase detection and laser autofocus. It also supports HDR and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It can record videos with a maximum resolution of 4K at 30 frames per second (fps).
On the front you will find a dual lens camera, both lenses being rated at 8 megapixels. One has an f / 1.8 aperture and the other is an ultra-wide 97 degree lens with an f / 2.2 aperture. The front camera can record video up to 1080p at 30 fps.
These specifications are disappointing on paper, but Google's secret recipe lies in its image processing capabilities, powered in part by a special chip that rubs shoulders with the main processor called Pixel Visual Core.
To start
The camera icon is by default at the bottom right of your home screen, but there is a way to get to it quickly, even if the Pixel 3 screen is off. You can launch the Pixel 3 camera from anywhere by pressing the power button twice.
If this shortcut does not work for you, go to Settings> System> Gestures and press Go to the camera, then turn it on.
You can also use a gesture to quickly switch between the front camera and the main camera, even if you have to be in the camera app for it to work. A quick double rotation of your wrist when the camera is open must switch between front and back.
If this shortcut does not work for you, go to Settings> System> Gestures and press Rocking camera, then turn it on.
The camera app
The Pixel 3 camera app is very easy to use. You will find modes listed below, below the viewfinder window, when you hold your Pixel 3 in portrait mode. Simply slide your finger to the left or right to select them. In landscape mode, they are on the right side and you can drag them up and down to select them. You can switch between the front and back cameras with the two circular arrow icons that appear next to the big shutter button. The last picture you took appears on the other side of the shutter release and you can tap it to access the Photos app.
At the top or left of the viewfinder window you will find the timer, motion, white balance and flash.
The timer is ideal for taking pictures, especially group selfies, as it gives you a few seconds to get the perfect angle.
Motion captures multiple images before and after shooting, as a short video. He is ready to car by default, but you can enable it all the time. We'll see why in the Top Shot section below.
Since images are often tinted by lighting conditions, Google's A.I. images automatically adjust the white balance to get the right colors. We recommend that you leave this setting on auto.
We usually disable the flash because it does not tend to get great results. The Pixel 3 also offers an excellent Night Sight mode that we will arrive in a moment.
What is HDR +?
The presence of HDR (high dynamic range) is almost ubiquitous in smartphones, but sometimes it is an optional feature that you can turn on and off yourself. With Pixel 3, it is always on, so you do not have to worry about it.
The high dynamic range offers the ability to capture highlights without turning them off, but also to capture details in the shadows. While in the past, camera phones generally took pictures that were suffering from noise and a low dynamic range, Google was finding a solution to the problem. HDR + captures multiple shots, then combines them to produce a single, much quieter image that displays all the details in bright, dark areas.
If you prefer to exercise manual control on this, you can open the Camera application and select More> Settings> Advanced and switch to HDR + controlbut we recommend leaving it alone.
Select the best shot with Top Shot
If Motion is on, you capture some images before and after pressing the shutter button. The High Shooting function allows you to choose the best after shot. Open the photo in question, touch the three vertical dots at the top right, then touch Select shots. You will see a timeline with all available images that have been captured and you can browse them.
The original shot will often be of the best quality, but it is good to be able to choose another frame if you missed the action or if someone was blindfolded. Look for white dots above the timeline to find the recommended images. Tap Save a copy top right if you find one you like.
It's tempting to leave this option on all the time, but keep in mind that Motion photos will take up more space than regular photos.
How to use Motion autofocus
Not to be confused with the Motion plans we just talked about, the autofocus feature lets you tap on a subject and the camera follows it and keeps it sharp, which is great for pets and children who do not always remain motionless. You can tap your subject in the viewfinder window to set the focus and you should see a small circle that stays with them even when you or the subject is moving. If you want to stop focusing on the subject, simply press the small circle in the viewfinder. This is invaluable for recording videos and tracking a moving subject.
How to use portrait mode
The Pixel 3 has one of the best portrait market modes, allowing you to take pictures of people and other subjects and apply a background blur for an effect convincing bokeh. To try it, simply drag Portrait into the Camera application. It works with the main and front cameras.
Google I.I. is incredibly good at applying blur to the correct areas, but it does not always succeed properly. Sometimes he struggles with complex hair lines or mixed areas where depth and distance are difficult to discern. However, it is miles ahead of most competitors.
Each portrait photo you take includes the portrait photo with the blur applied to the background and the original photo. You can tap the thumbnails at the bottom of the photo to switch between them.
You can also adjust the depth, adjust the level of blur and even change the focal point of the image after taking the picture. To do this, you have to press the button edit icon at the bottom, second from the left, then tap the same icon again to find a Depth cursor. To adjust the overall depth, you can drag it to the left and right, but you can also press the right arrow to open separate sliders. blur and Blur in the foreground. To change your focal point, just tap the photo you want to focus on.
How to take larger selfies
It can be frustrating to try to integrate with a large group of people when you take a selfie. It also happens that you want to acquire more knowledge in solo self-portrait. Google has a simple solution. When the front camera is open, you will see a simple slider at the bottom. Drag to increase or decrease the width of your view. You have the choice between three widths.
Get great low light photos with Night Sight
It can be difficult to capture good pictures in dark environments and the flash tends to wash your subject, lose the background and create dazzle or glare, among other things. Google's solution is called Night Sight. It extends the same approach as HDR + by taking multiple snapshots and assembling them to dramatically increase brightness and color.
You can find Night Sight in the More Camera application section, but you should also receive a pop-up message suggesting it, if any. It's important to try to stay still when you take a picture of Night Sight because it takes several pictures. It works with the front and main camera and the results are impressive.
How to use Super Res Zoom
You can zoom in on subjects with your Pixel 3 and get decent shots, even without a telephoto lens, thanks to the Super Res Zoom feature. When using the main camera, look for a small magnifying glass icon at the bottom or top right of the viewfinder window when using the main camera (this does not work for the camera). front camera). Tap this icon to open the zoom slider.
It is also possible to zoom in by touching the screen with two fingers and dragging them. Drag them again to zoom out. You can also double-tap the screen to zoom in or out.
There is another way to control the zoom. If you select More> Settings in the Camera application, and then press gesturesyou will find the possibility of defining the Volume key like a zoom control.
You are now ready to take great pictures with your Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL.
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