Apple and Google released new high-end phones this fall: IPhone 15 Pro Max and Pixel 8 Pro. Both phones have great cameras, but there are some differences between them, which we will discuss in this article.
The camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pixel 8 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a triple-lens camera system with a 48-megapixel main (wide) camera that can be adjusted to three focal lengths, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens that supports up to 5x optical zoom.
The Pixel 8 Pro also has a three-lens camera system with a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom as well.
Google and Apple cameras share many features, such as portrait mode, night mode, HDR, and more. But there are different software algorithms running in the background for different operating systems, which makes the results look distinct.
When it comes to landscape photos that show the sky. iPhone 15 Pro Max images look more realistic, colors are more accurate, and the sky and clouds appear clearly and in clearer, truer colors.
On the other hand, the Pixel 8 Pro often makes the sky look too blue, overexposing in some shots. Pixel images appear brighter overall, while iPhone images appear more immersive and deeper.
Images vary in color, temperature, saturation, lighting, exposure, and other factors. Images of the iPhone 15 Pro Max show colors more saturated, deeper and more vibrant compared to images of the Pixel 8 Pro.
For example, in the following taxi photo, the yellow color of the car was more saturated, vibrant and realistic than in the iPhone photo. While the Pixel 8 images were brighter and less contrasty. In the end, it depends on what you personally prefer, more saturated or brighter images.
Close-up photos
On the iPhone, the 5x telephoto zoom lens is limited to only 12 megapixels, and does not have a wide aperture like the main lens. So it is normal for the images taken with it to be different in clarity and colors. The 5x telephoto images from the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pixel 8 Pro look similar in most cases. But the Pixel 8 Pro's image looks sharper; Because the images are brighter with slightly increased contrast compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Here is another close-up image that shows the difference between the two phones:
Here's another one:
The iPhone 15 Pro Max 5x telephoto lens excels in portrait mode because it can take pictures at 5x zoom. While the Pixel 8 Pro is limited to 2x zoom in this mode. The iPhone excels at the background blur effect. Even in portraits using other lenses, Apple delivers better colors, skin tones, and blur effect. However, at times, especially in low light, portrait photos from the Pixel 8 Pro may be better.
These are in low light:
Night photos
As for night shots, iPhones have always been a bit ahead in terms of a more natural, more realistic look. While the Pixel 8 Pro is brighter, it doesn't have the same depth at night.
ProRes video and image stabilization
In terms of video stabilization, Apple has always had the upper hand. The iPhone 15 Pro Max provides better video quality than the Pixel 8 Pro. Although Google has made progress in this area with its latest phones, Apple is still at the forefront. For professionals, the iPhone provides an option to record video with “ProRes Log” technology. It is a type of recording that provides a neutral image that can be modified using special filters in the final video processing stage.
Integrating AI features into photography
Google has added some advanced AI features to its cameras, which Apple can't compete with. For example, the Best Take option sorts multiple group photos taken and finds the best shot. You can change each person's face, switching from another face in the series so that each person is smiling and looking at the camera. Magic Editor lets you erase objects in the image, and uses generative AI to fill in the empty space. Audio Magic Eraser can remove unwanted sounds.
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