Like many other Google Pixel fans, I am excited about the new phone release. I even pre-ordered it within a few hours of it being available….would’ve been sooner had the store not been down. But alas, it’ll be here by the end of October. With that, I wanted to go ahead and start this blog post with the anticipation of creating a Google Pixel 6 camera review.
I’ve used the Pixel 3 for a few years, with the original Pixel before that. The releases in-between those weren’t enough to make me want to upgrade. But this year’s release feels a bit different. There’s a lot of hype around the phone, along with several external and internal upgrades. This isn’t going to be a super technical article, more so real-life examples and samples of what the camera can handle.
This also won’t be a review of the phone itself. I’ll mention a few things about the phone. Still, the main intent of this article is to show whether or not the phone camera can stand up for itself and keep a picky landscape photographer happy enough to use the phone when they don’t have their actual cameras out with them.
I’m really excited about it and can’t wait to share my findings with you.
*Updated 11/14. I’ve had the phone for 2 weeks and can now share my thoughts. I still plan on testing its Long Exposure & Action Pan modes and getting out to the mountains near me to test its starry night capabilities. But for the most part, my mind is made up.
"I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Full disclosure here."Pixel 6 Camera Review
Jumping right into it, the Google Pixel 6 camera is amazing! Its low-light ability is epic. Even without using the night shot mode. I was testing it out in my girlfriend’s kitchen with only a few lights on and felt the camera make the scene brighter than what I was actually seeing. Without looking grainy or artificial. I was blown away! Right after that, I went outside for a few ‘Night Shot’ mode pictures. My GF even liked one so much, she shared one on her Instagram Story without the photographer’s credit…#facepalm. (No worries I didn’t freak out too much, but now she tags me when she shares my images lol)
Night Shot
The bread-and-butter mode of the Google Pixel 6 camera in my opinion. Primarily because I’m a landscape photographer. Not only does this mode allow you to take better images at night, but it also can help daylight images pop. I’ve always been a fan of bringing out the details in the shadows via Lightroom when taken with my Nikon D750. But here, Google helps get rid of lingering shadows when using this during the day.
Portrait Mode
The camera phone’s portrait mode has always been an important feature for me as a photographer. Especially because I’m obsessed with bokeh and generally only shoot with a prime lens. I used it a bunch on my Pixel 3 and now continue to use it a lot on this phone. It’s still a really great function.
Magic Eraser Feature
The camera phone’s “Magic Eraser” tool works really well. Especially if you’re used to using Lightroom’s ‘Healing Brush’ tool. It’ll work for most casual photos and when sharing images with friends and families. If someone really studies the image with a magnifying glass, they may see a few inconsistencies. But how often is anyone really analyzing camera phone images?
The beauty of this tool is the phone’s ability to scan, highlight and then ‘erase’ objects or people that you don’t want in the image. This can of course be done manually, but it’s always better when the phone automatically picks up the family of 5 who photobombed your shot and then removes them with a simple click.
For my sample image below, my lovely model was walking down a dark but lit path for Maymont’s Lights in Richmond VA. The phone automatically recognized the group of people behind her, highlighted them, and suggested removal. With that single click, they were gone! It left behind a bag though, that someone was carrying so I went in and manually removed that one. But overall, this looks like no one else was behind her in that shot. And when taking this picture, the phone picked up her face with so little light in the area and even let me recompose my shot while still keeping the focus on her face.
I can easily see this coming in handy if you’re visiting all those popular Instagram-worthy shots that are busy AF and never empty so you can get that perfect shot. Take the photo, and let Google highlight and erase them…Boom…ready for the gram!
Shortcuts and Ease Of Use
One of my favorite features of the Google Pixel 6 camera setup is its “Quickly open camera” setting. With this setting on, I can quickly open up the camera from any screen by pressing the power button twice. This even works from the lock screen. And because the fingerprint scanner can be a little slow or finicky at times, this helps out a lot. I find myself being able to quickly bring up my phone, take a picture, and then move on. Helpful for catching candid or quick-to-end moments. This can be done under “System>Gestures>Quickly open camera” or by searching camera in settings.
Any Worries Or Concerns?
Bigger, more prominent camera placement has me a little worried about it being more prone to drop damage. Smudge marks and fingerprints are so easy because of the camera bar. Especially since I’m coming from the Pixel 3, which had a rear fingerprint reader. Sometimes I find myself holding it like I do that old phone, and my index finger rests solely on the camera bar. I also might add some smudges while my phone is rotated in landscape mode, and I’m using both hands to hold. So I make sure to wipe it down often.
Modes I Haven’t Tried Yet
As previously mentioned, I do want to test out its ability to capture stars, along with its Exposure & Action modes. I’ll also be sure to capture these images in RAW to see how much of a difference that makes, if any.
More Pixel 6 Photo Samples
Wrapping Up
I still bring out my camera when I really need the shot or, of course, if I’m doing client work. But the Google Pixel 6 camera definitely keeps my pixel-peeping self happy. Its low light ability and quick camera open shortcut are my biggest draws.
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I preferred my Google 4 phone and camera way over my Google 6. If the battery in the Google 4 hadn’t overheated and expanded and killed my phone I’d still have it. It had way better zooming capabilities.
ditto my 4 did the same thing.
my 4a replacement was just as good.
will replace that with a 7a when it’s available.
Hi Doug,
I also just started using a renewed Pixel 6 I bought from Amazon. The camera really is amazing and for the price I paid, seems real value for money. The condition of the renewed Pixel 6 was just like brand new.
I will never buy expensive, new phones again !