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The Pixel camera is arguably one of the most powerful smartphone cameras available, but like so many of Google's products, some of the best features require a little digging. I've tested almost every Pixel camera to date, and I've learned that the best picture quality begins by knowing which settings actually matter and when to use them.
These are the nine camera settings I've changed on my Pixel 10 Pro to improve image quality. Some work across all recent Pixel models, and others are exclusive to the Pro lineup.
1. Switch to the full sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio
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For years, I shot in 16:9 aspect ratio on my Pixel, primarily because it looked more cinematic and modern. Then one day I read the setting label with fresh eyes: "Wide Crop."
Also: Why I'm recommending this Google Pixel 10 model to most people (and don't regret it)
Your Pixel's camera sensor is physically shaped in a 4:3 ratio. When shooting in 16:9, the camera is cropping off the top and bottom of the image before the shutter is even pressed. You're permanently throwing away vertical resolution.
Switching to 4:3 means keeping everything the sensor is seeing. You can always crop to 16:9 afterward if you are going for that cinematic look, but you can't add back data that was never captured in the first place.
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