We thoroughly examined the difference in camera performance between the Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8, which are priced at 40,000 yen each
Google Pixel 8a: The perfect first phone with a powerful AI-powered camera
https://store.google.com/jp/product/pixel_8a
The Google Pixel 8a is a genuine Google smartphone with a minimum price of 72,600 yen (tax included), and has processing performance comparable to the Google Pixel 8, which is a size higher in price. The differences in appearance and processing performance between the Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8 are summarized in detail in the following article. This time, we will thoroughly examine the photography performance of both.
Review: The appearance and processing performance of the 'Google Pixel 8a', which is 40,000 yen cheaper than the previous model and has a modest camera bar protrusion, is compared with the 'Google Pixel 8' - GIGAZINE
·table of contents
◆1: Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8 are equipped with different cameras
◆2: Comparing wide-angle and telephoto shooting performance
◆3: I tried photographing food at a restaurant
◆4: Let's compare nighttime shooting performance
◆5: Summary
◆1: Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8 are equipped with different cameras
The Google Pixel 8a is equipped with a 64-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 8 is equipped with a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. If you focus only on the number of pixels, the Google Pixel 8a looks superior, but the performance of a camera is not determined only by the number of pixels. Therefore, we actually took photos in various situations and compared the performance. Note that all the example photos in this article have not been edited except for reducing the size, and you can see the original image before reducing by clicking on each example.
◆2: Comparing wide-angle and telephoto shooting performance
First, I took a photo of
This is what it looks like when shot with a wide-angle camera.
2x digital zoom. Digital zoom tends to reduce image quality, but this allows you to zoom while maintaining fine detail.
Even when shooting with the maximum 8x digital zoom, the image quality was sufficient for photos to record memories. However, if you focus on the QR code placed at the foot of the Myakumyaku, the roughness is noticeable.
Next, I took a photo of Miyakumiyaku from the same location with the Google Pixel 8. This is what it looks like when taken with the ultra-wide camera.
Wide-angle camera.
2x digital zoom. Google describes the Google Pixel 8's 2x digital zoom as '2x optical zoom' compared to other smartphones with a dedicated 2x telephoto lens. Indeed, at first glance, it's hard to notice that it's a digital zoom.
Below is a photo taken with 8x digital zoom. If you focus on the QR code, you can see that there is color noise.
To test the performance of the 8x digital in other situations, I tried taking a photo of Osaka Central Public Hall, located about 250 meters away from Nambabashi Bridge. Osaka Central Public Hall is the building in the center of the photo below.
Below is a photo taken with 8x digital zoom on the Google Pixel 8a. When enlarged, it is noticeable that the decorations on the building are crushed and the trees are painted over.
This is what the 8x digital zoom of the Google Pixel 8 looks like. In the situation of 'shooting Miyakumaya from the sidewalk,' there was a difference in the presence or absence of color noise, but in the situation of 'shooting Osaka Central Public Hall from Namba Bridge,' there was no noticeable difference.
◆3: I tried photographing food at a restaurant
Many people would say that the most common photo they take with their smartphone camera is of food. We tested the food photography performance of the Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8 by taking photos of various dishes. First, we used the Google Pixel 8a to take a photo of ramen at
Below is a photo of the same ramen taken with a Google Pixel 8. The color of the soup is closer to what you see with the naked eye in the Google Pixel 8 photo. It doesn't bother me much when I look at the reduced image, but when I look at the original image, the Google Pixel 8 has a radiating blur from the center to the outside, making the edge of the back of the ramen bowl look unnatural.
I took a photo of gyoza with the Google Pixel 8a. The image appeared darker than it appeared to the naked eye.
With the Google Pixel 8, I notice some bleeding on the back of dishes.
If you take a picture as close to the green onion as possible with the Google Pixel 8a, it looks like this.
The Google Pixel 8 has a macro mode that lets you get closer to your subject than the Google Pixel 8a.
I took a photo of
The Google Pixel 8 image is slightly brighter, but still far from what the naked eye can see. Also, the blur around the side dishes is unnatural.
I took this photo as close as possible to the potato side dish with the Google Pixel 8a.
The Google Pixel 8 was able to take brighter pictures than the Google Pixel 8a while getting closer to the subject. In situations where you need to get closer to the subject, the Google Pixel 8 wins.
I used the Google Pixel 8a to take a photo of my iced coffee at a bright window seat at
This is what it looks like on the Google Pixel 8. Perhaps because it was taken in a bright place, there was no radial blurring.
When I took pictures of food with the Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8, the Google Pixel 8a produced images that were too dark, while the Google Pixel 8 showed noticeable radial blurring when photographing in a dark restaurant. There are a lot of 'dark restaurants,' so neither smartphone is suitable for photographing food in restaurants, but if you do choose to use the Pixel to write a food review, the Google Pixel 8, which can take pictures closer to the subject, seems to be a better choice.
◆4: Comparing nighttime shooting performance
Below is a photo of a night road taken with the Google Pixel 8a. The smartphone had to be held still for about one second to take the photo.
With the Google Pixel 8, you don't need to hold the phone still like you would with daytime shots, and the final photo looks pretty similar.
I took this photo of a train station terminal at night with a Google Pixel 8a. This photo was also taken at about 1 second.
There's no need to stand still with the Google Pixel 8. The Google Pixel 8 also wins when it comes to ease of night photography.
◆5: Summary
After taking various photos with the Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 8, we found that the Google Pixel 8a has weaknesses compared to the Google Pixel 8, such as 'you can't get close to the subject,' 'photos of food at restaurants are dark,' and 'you need to stay still when taking night photos.' On the other hand, it performs just as well as the Google Pixel 8 when taking photos outdoors during the day or in bright indoor locations.
The Google Pixel 8a is 40,000 yen cheaper than the Google Pixel 8, but there is a clear difference in camera performance, so you need to choose one that suits your shooting style.
The Google Pixel 8a is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, and is available at the following links:
Google Pixel 8a
https://store.google.com/jp/config/pixel_8a
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