Google has added several camera-focused features to the Pixel 11 series, including a higher 120x maximum zoom on the Pro XL, customizable photo Looks, and a new Magic Capture mode that uses AI to extract still images from video clips. The phones also arrive with changes to storage, memory, and pricing as component costs continue to affect hardware makers.
The updated Pro Res Zoom feature uses AI to improve parts of an image when users go beyond 30x digital zoom on the Pixel 11 Pro XL. The maximum zoom has increased from 100x last year to 120x, although maintaining a steady shot at extreme distances remains difficult.
At lower zoom levels, the system can produce more usable images.
Looks Changes the Camera’s Processing Style
One of the main new camera features is called Looks, which gives users different image styles before taking a photo. Google says the feature does more than apply a conventional filter because it changes how the phone’s computational photography pipeline processes the image.
Four default options are available: Original, Natural, Shadows, and Vanilla. Additional styles include Editorial, Classic, Digi, Black Tie, and Minimal.
Classic adds more visible grain, while Digi is designed to resemble older digital cameras. On the Pixel 11, users can also customize one-touch camera controls, allowing settings such as ISO to replace white balance for quicker access.
Looks can also be placed within those quick controls so users can switch between styles while shooting.
Magic Capture Pulls Photos From Video
Google has also introduced Magic Capture, which lets users record a short video and then uses AI to identify moments that can be saved as still photos.
The feature is intended for subjects that can be difficult to photograph at the right moment, including pets, children, and sports. It can automatically select frames from the recorded clip rather than requiring the photographer to time a single shutter press.
There are some limitations. Magic Capture can struggle with moving subjects, and extracted images are limited to 12-megapixel resolution.
Pixel 11 Pricing Changes With Higher Component Costs
Google has removed the 128GB base storage option from the Pixel 11 lineup. The 256GB Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro remain priced at the same level as comparable models last year, but both now include 12GB of RAM instead of 16GB.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is also $100 more expensive than last year’s version.
The new models therefore bring camera improvements and features such as Rambler, but the pricing and hardware changes may make the upgrade less compelling for people who already own last year’s Pixel. Some of the new software features could also eventually reach older Pixel devices.
Featured image credits: Google Blog
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