We know how to make great cameras. Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL boast the same dual lens cameras supported by Google's image processing wizards. It is very advantageous with the best camera phones today. Google's Pixel 4 camera can capture stunning photos, preserve precious memories, even shoot stars in the night sky, and I'm trying to explain exactly how to do all these things. This is the Pixel 4 Camera Guide.
Camera specifications
Before looking at the details, it's worth noting that the main and front cameras of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL are identical. There's no difference in quality or functionality, so you get a great camera no matter what Pixel 4 you choose.
The main camera is a dual lens lens that combines a 12.2 megapixel lens with a 16 megapixel telephoto lens with f / 1.7 aperture and f / 2.4 aperture to allow enough light for f / 1.7 aperture. Both lenses have optical image stabilization (OIS). It also supports phase autofocus and HDR. Telephoto lenses offer 2x optical zoom, and Google's Super Res Zoom feature lets you digitally shoot up to 8x.
On the front is a single 8 megapixel lens with f / 2.0 aperture and a 90 degree viewing angle. The focus is locked and the Pixel 4's selfie shooter is no longer a dual lens like the Pixel 3, but the wide field of view still allows you to group or get a group selfie on a sufficient amount of background.
To shoot video with the Pixel 4 or 4 XL, you can record at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, up to 120 frames / second, 1080p, and 720p up to 240 frames / second.
Getting started
By default, the camera icon is in the bottom right corner of the home screen, and tap it to launch the camera. Even if your Pixel 4 is locked, just press the power button twice to get up and running right into the camera.
If the power button shortcut doesn't work Settings> System> Gestures And ok Go to camera to be Above.
There is also Flip camera option Settings> System> Gestures You can quickly switch between the front camera and the main camera by turning your wrist twice quickly, but it needs to be in the camera app to work.
Camera app
The camera app is nice and simple. If you're holding your Pixel 4 vertically, you'll see all the major modes at the bottom, and you can simply swipe to switch. On top of that is a central shutter button that allows you to take a snapshot (you can also take a picture by pressing the volume button when the camera app is open). Press the circle with the two arrows to the left of the shutter button to switch between the front and rear cameras. On the other hand, there is a preview of the last picture you took and pressing it takes you to the Photos app.
At the top there is a hidden menu that you can access by swiping down the screen. Motion options are off by default but can be set automatically or always available. It captures a few frames before and after taking a photo, recording a short video by default, which is described in detail in the Motion and Top Shot section below. next timerafter that flashAnd finally ratio By default it is 4: 3 but you can set it to 16: 9. Although not recommended to use the flash, a timer is convenient for group shooting. Tap the cog at the bottom of this option to access more camera settings.
Currently, almost all smartphones support high dynamic range (HDR), but Pixel 4 has HDR +. This allows the camera to capture bright highlights without brightening them, but it also captures the details of the shadows. Since this is an automatic function, there are no settings to adjust.
How to use a telephoto lens
The biggest new feature of the Pixel 4 camera is the telephoto lens and it works beautifully. If you have an item you want to enlarge, touch the screen with your fingers and thumbs together, then slowly move to zoom in. You can collect them again and zoom out. This will give you a slider on the right and you can see the zoom level represented by the numbers inside the circle. If you want, you can tap the circle and slide up or down to zoom in and out, but pinch gestures give you more control.
The telephoto lens on the Pixel 4 has 2x optical zoom, so you can zoom in to that level without losing detail. Aside from that, Google's Software Smart is working to get every level of detail up to 8x zoom, but it may be getting worse. Double tap on the screen to go to exactly 2x magnification. This shortcut is via the gear wheel at the bottom of the slide down menu in Camera Settings. gesture.
How to use double exposure
The autofocus of the Pixel 4 camera is very useful and you need to use it to access the double exposure control. To automatically focus on a subject and continue focusing on that subject, you can also tap when you or the subject is moving. This is very convenient when shooting moving subjects. When you tap the subject you want to focus on, a circle appears on the screen above the subject, and two sliders appear at the top of the screen, assuming you are holding pixels. 4 in landscape view. The zoom slider is also shown on the right side and I just processed it from above.
On the left is the brightness slider and on the right is the shadow slider. Slide back and forth until the shape you want appears on the screen. There is a lock at the top left, which can satisfy both auto exposure (AE) and auto focus (AF). This is very useful when you want to continuously adjust the setting when shooting the same subject continuously.
How to take great portraits
Pixel 4 takes great portraits and works as the main and front cameras. Swipe to portrait mode to activate and tap on subject to focus. Watch out for warnings about distance or angle. Sometimes a tip will appear on the screen to help you get a better portrait. Google's algorithms usually help a lot in blurring the background and keeping the subject sharp, but they keep the original every time you take a portrait. When reviewing a portrait in the Photos app, you'll see two thumbnails at the bottom, and you can tap to see the original without blur.
In fact, you may want to adjust the blur level afterwards. Find the portrait you want to adjust, tap the icon of three sliders at the bottom, and then tap again to bring up an editing screen with three sliders. You can change light, Color, And blur Wolf. To reduce blur, simply drag the relevant points from right to left. Press the arrow on the right blur Use the slider to adjust the foreground blur individually.
How to take great pictures in the dark
Google separates night vision mode so you can access it by swiping in the camera app (right after portrait). By default, the Camera app will prompt you when it's a good idea to try Night Sight whenever there's not much light. Night Sight uses clever technology that links multiple frames together to improve brightness and color. Because you take multiple pictures, it is slower than normal camera mode and may take some time to process the image after tapping Capture. The important thing to remember when using Night Sight is to keep still as much as possible. Keeping the camera static makes the result much better.
How to shoot stars
The Astrophotography feature on the Pixel 4 is new, but it's actually an extension of the same principle that Night Sight works. The difference with astrophotography is that the Pixel 4 camera has a very long exposure time. It actually takes about 4 minutes and a few seconds to process the final image. You can't turn on astrophotography through the settings, just use night vision and point to the stars and you'll get a popup suggesting astrophotography. The Pixel 4 is static and the best thing is that it doesn't really work unless you use a tripod.
Ideally, in a country where there is no light pollution, go somewhere dark and set up the Pixel 4 with the appropriate tripod, but you can always see what happens if you go backyard. If you live in the center of the city, it won't really work.
How to use motion and top shots
Google chose to turn off motion on Pixel 4 by default. Motion takes a picture by taking a short video captured in multiple frames before and after tapping the shutter button. Because you're producing short videos, you don't always want to have more space and slow down your camera. However, there are times when you need to turn motion on, like a party. This is because the best shot can be activated to select the best frame. Swipe down to open the menu and turn on motion. After shooting the video, find it in the Photos app, then tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner, Shot selection. You can get a timeline of your photos and choose your favorite frame and save it as a separate photo. Google puts weight here with a few suggestions highlighted by white dots above the frame. This is very useful, for example, if you are taking a group photo and looking for a frame in which everyone opens their eyes.
How to edit a photo
There is an appropriate set of editing tools you can use to fine-tune your photos. Open the Photos app, tap an image, then double-tap the third slider icon in the bottom left corner to edit the photo.
You'll be given a set of filters to start with, and you can tap to try out the size With three slider icons in the edit menu light, Color, PopOr if you are a figure, you can adjust blur Instead of Pop. Tap the wee arrow on the right side of the slider to access more fine-tuning sliders covering various elements of the photo. E.g Color You can find sliders for the same things warmth and Skin tone. Crop icon allows you to crop and rotate your photo. If you are satisfied with the adjustment Save The final grid icon in the upper right corner allows you to go to the markup and annotate the picture if you want.
Final tips
There may be a few people who take a lot of pictures, so it's a good idea to look and set the settings in the camera app. Frequent face. This ensures that the most interested people are noticeable and the frames they see best have priority in the Top Shot recommendations.
When your photos get more serious, it is better to save RAW files. In Camera app settings Many, advanced, elapsed Where to find the toggle RAW + JPEG control. This will save your RAW files separately, but be careful because they take up more space.
Check out the key settings you need to change on your Pixel 4 before you go out and take great pictures.
Editors' Picks