TheGoogle Pixel 8is among thebest camera-centric smartphones. While the phone might not pack the best camera hardware, its excellent image processing compensates for this. Google’s latest Pixels can do more than click photos of your friends and families. You can use them to get close to your subject and capture stunning macro shots. This is made possible by the Macro Focus feature on these phones. Follow this guide to learn more about Macro Focus and how to use it on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
What features are in Google’s camera app and how do you use them?
Google’s camera app has features to help you take the best photo or video for any situation
What to know about using Macro Focus on Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
Macro Focus lets you get extremely close to a subject and capture it in great detail. The feature has become popular in smartphones over the last few years. Taking macro photos on the Google Pixel 8 series is straightforward. But before that, there are a few essential things you must know:
If you’re new to macro photography, check out our guide ontaking a macro shot on your Android phonefor more details.
How to take macro photos on the Google Pixel 8
While some third-party camera apps let you shoot macro photos, it is best to stick to the Google Camera app for the best results.
There can be instances when your Pixel 8 switches to macro mode automatically. Turn off the Macro Focus functionality to avoid this from happening. For general use, set the option to Auto.
Google allows you to use Pro mode in the camera app with Macro Focus. Tap the Settings button in the lower-right corner of the camera app to access the mode. Usefocus peakingfrom here to determine which part of your macro subject is in focus.
The area in focus is highlighted in the viewfinder with colored edges to help you distinguish it easily. For greater precision, use the picture-in-picture focus preview option. Don’t try to adjust the focus slider manually, as it will exit the macro mode. If the macro subject is coming too far due to the lack of light, adjust the shutter speed or bump the ISO in Pro mode.
Additionally, you can shoot 50MP RAW macro photos from the Pixel 8 for greater flexibility in post-processing. Go into the Google Camera app settings, switch to the Pro tab, change the resolution to 50MP, and activate RAW capture. Shooting in RAW doesn’t improve the quality of the macro picture. However, the camera can capture more details, which you can extract while processing the image.
The Pixel 8 series can record macro videos in up to 4K resolution at 60fps. Follow the steps above after switching to video mode in Google Camera. You only miss out on pro controls while recording videos.
Check out some macro shots from the Pixel 8 Pro below to understand what kind of pictures you can capture.
This mode is excellent for taking close-up pictures of flowers, insects, and other subjects from a different perspective. Ensure there’s enough light, and don’t hold the phone directly on top of the subject. Otherwise, your shadow will fall on it, ruining the image.
you’re able to take macro photos and videos on thePixel 7 Pro. This functionality isn’t available on the regular Pixel 7.
Get the most out of your Pixel 8’s camera
While not perfect, the Pixel 8 is a great phone, and its fantastic camera capabilities further elevate the experience of using it. Features like Macro Focus and Best Take help the phone stand out from its competition, which packs a superior or versatile camera setup.
If this is your first Pixel, check out thebest Pixel 8 tips to try. You should also learn about thetop Pixel 8 settings to change immediatelyfor a better experience.
