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BatteryWe put the Google Pixel 8 through our rigorous DXOMARK Camera test suite to measure its performance in photo, video, and zoom quality from an end-user perspective. This article breaks down how the device fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases and is intended to highlight the most important results of our testing with an extract of the captured data.
Overview
Key camera specifications:
- Primary: 50MP 1/1.31″ sensor, 1.2μm pixels, f/1.68-aperture lens, OctaPD, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, 1.25 µm pixels, f/2.2-aperture lens, 125.8° field of view
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Google Pixel 8
Use cases & Conditions
Use case scores indicate the product performance in specific situations. They are not included in the overall score calculations.
Outdoor
Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux)
Indoor
Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux)
Lowlight
Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux)
Friends & Family
Portrait and group photo & videos
19th
2nd
Pros
- Pleasant skin tones in photo and video
- Wide dynamic range in photo and video
- Good texture
- Fast autofocus
- Effective video stabilization
Cons
- Occasional slight underexposure
- Occasional noise instabilities across consecutive shots and in low light and backlit scenes, in photo and video
- Loss of detail at medium and long tele zoom range
The Google Pixel’s 8 offered an excellent performance for its price segment in the DXOMARK Camera tests and was overall on par with current flagship models. The nice and vivid colors were a particular strong point but the Pixel 8 could also convince in terms of image detail across all light conditions. Given the identical main camera it was no surprise that overall photo and video performance was similar to the Pixel 8 Pro. Differences were mostly noticeable in terms of zoom performance.
Please note that while photos were captured in Ultra HDR, our evaluations were run using an SDR visualization workflow. This is due to the fact that Ultra HDR is a very new Android format, and we are still investigating the most appropriate HDR visualization tools to enable a fair in-depth comparison. Because viewing HDR content depends on so many factors, such as the viewer’s screen and the application used, the photos displayed in this test results summary are shown in SDR, meaning they do not have the HDR gain map applied. Even viewers with HDR screens will only be able to see SDR versions of the photos.
The Pixel 8’s video HDR mode produced excellent footage, with noticeable better results than the SDR mode in terms of exposure and color. Our testers also liked the good video exposure and effective stabilization.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Camera tests: DXOMARK’s Camera evaluations take place in laboratories and in real-world situations using a wide variety of subjects. The scores rely on objective tests for which the results are calculated directly by measurement software on our laboratory setups, and on perceptual tests in which a sophisticated set of metrics allow a panel of image experts to compare aspects of image quality that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. Photo, Zoom, and Video quality are scored separately and then combined into an Overall score for comparison among the cameras in different devices. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera protocol, click here. More details on smartphone camera scores are available here. The following section gathers key elements of DXOMARK’s exhaustive tests and analyses. Full performance evaluations are available upon request. Please contact us on how to receive a full report.
Photo
Google Pixel 8
169
For scoring and analysis, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2,600 test images both in controlled lab environments and in outdoor, indoor and low-light natural scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The photo protocol is designed to take into account the main use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portraits, family, and landscape photography. The evaluation is performed by visually inspecting images against a reference of natural scenes, and by running objective measurements on images of charts captured in the lab under different lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
In our still photography tests, the Google Pixel 8 was among the best devices tested to date, delivering overall excellent results in bright light. It was also the best phone without a dedicated tele camera, thanks to Google’s effective software solutions. The levels of captured detail were high, in both portraits and landscape shots. While image noise was overall well under control, some luminance noise could be noticeable in the shadow areas of the frame, especially in low-light conditions and backlit scenes where noise had a more grainy appearance. Slight differences to the flagship Pixel 8 Pro were visible, but overall image results were extremely similar.
Exposure
Google Pixel 8
130
Color
Google Pixel 8
130
Exposure and color are the key attributes for technically good pictures. For exposure, the main attribute evaluated is the brightness of the main subject through various use cases such as landscape, portrait, or still life. Other factors evaluated are the contrast and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas of the image. Repeatability is also important because it demonstrates the camera's ability to provide the same rendering when shooting several images of the same scene.
For color, the image quality attributes analyzed are skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, and repeatability. For color and skin tone rendering, we penalize unnatural colors but we respect a manufacturer's choice of color signature.
The Google Pixel 8 generally delivered the same exposure and color rendering as the Pixel 8 Pro. Colors were good, with very accurate white balance, and the wide dynamic range was on par with the best flagship devices.
Occasional slight underexposure, which could be noticeable in scenes with both low and high contrast, was the Pixel 8’s main drawback in our testing. Our testers observed some slight differences between the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, for example in the sample scene below.
Autofocus
Google Pixel 8
125
Autofocus tests concentrate on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shooting time delay, and depth of field. Shooting delay is the difference between the time the user presses the capture button and the time the image is actually taken. It includes focusing speed and the capability of the device to capture images at the right time, what is called 'zero shutter lag' capability. Even if a shallow depth of field can be pleasant for a single subject portrait or close-up shot, it can also be a problem in some specific conditions such as group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all the real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and in low light to outdoor conditions.
The Pixel 8 autofocus was generally fast and accurate. Focus was almost always on target, even in difficult conditions. Still, the Pixel 8 scored lower in this category than the class-leading Huawei P60 Pro, which provided a wider depth of field on group shots.
Texture
Google Pixel 8
124
Texture tests analyze the level of details and the texture of subjects in the images taken in the lab as well as in real-life scenarios. For natural shots, particular attention is paid to the level of details in the bright and dark areas of the image. Objective measurements are performed on chart images taken in various lighting conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different kinds of dynamic range conditions. The charts used are the proprietary DXOMARK chart (DMC) and the Dead Leaves chart.
Noise
Google Pixel 8
117
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure on real-life images as well as images of charts taken in the lab. For natural images, particular attention is paid to the noise on faces, landscapes, but also on dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Noise on moving objects is also evaluated on natural images. Objective measurements are performed on images of charts taken in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different kinds of dynamic range conditions. The chart used is the Dead Leaves chart and the standardized measurement such as Visual Noise derived from ISO 15739.
Artifacts
Google Pixel 8
82
The artifacts evaluation looks at lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometrical distortion, edges ringing, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color hue shifts, among others type of possible unnatural effects on photos. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction on the score. The main artifacts observed and corresponding point loss are listed below.
Bokeh
Google Pixel 8
85
Bokeh is tested in one dedicated mode, usually portrait or aperture mode, and analyzed by visually inspecting all the images captured in the lab and in natural conditions. The goal is to reproduce portrait photography comparable to one taken with a DLSR and a wide aperture. The main image quality attributes paid attention to are depth estimation, artifacts, blur gradient, and the shape of the bokeh blur spotlights. Portrait image quality attributes (exposure, color, texture) are also taken into account.
The Google Pixel 8 delivered an accurate and nice simulated bokeh effect. Our experts also observed that it provided better blur intensity as well as larger and more contrasted background spotlights than the Pixel 8 Pro.
Preview
Google Pixel 8
93
Preview tests analyze the image quality of the camera app's preview of the image, with particular attention paid to the difference between the capture and the preview, especially regarding dynamic range and the application of the bokeh effect. Also evaluated is the smoothness of the exposure, color and focus adaptation when zooming from the minimal to the maximal zoom factor available. The preview frame rate is measured using the LED Universal Timer.
Zoom
Google Pixel 8
164
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 400 test images in controlled lab environments and in outdoor, indoor, and low-light natural scenes, using the camera’s default settings and pinch zoom at various zoom factors from ultra wide to very long-range zoom. The evaluation is performed by visually inspecting the images against a reference of natural scenes, and by running objective measurements of chart mages captured in the lab under different conditions from 20 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300K to 6500K.
The Google Pixel 8 ultra-wide camera delivered decent image quality overall, especially in daylight shooting. In low light, our testers observed a stronger loss of detail compared to the Pixel 8 Pro, which uses a larger image sensor and faster aperture (f/2.0 vs f/2.2) but image quality was overall well balanced with very few artifacts.
In terms of camera hardware, the main difference to the flagship Google Pixel 8 Pro is the absence of a dedicated tele camera on the Pixel 8, which means digital methods are used to achieve tele zoom. Thanks to the high resolution sensor, digital cropping worked pretty well up to 2X, with similar behavior to the Apple iPhone 15. Devices with a tele camera, such as the Google Pixel 8 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max, will deliver better quality images when zooming in further.
Wide
Google Pixel 8
122
These tests analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at several focal lengths from 12 mm to 20 mm. All image quality attributes are evaluated, with particular attention paid to such artifacts as chromatic aberrations, lens softness, and distortion. Pictures below are an extract of tested scenes.
Tele
Google Pixel 8
120
All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from approximately 40 mm to 300 mm, with particular attention paid to texture and detail. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.
Video
Google Pixel 8
159
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2.5 hours of video in controlled lab environments and in natural low-light, indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The evaluation consists of visually inspecting natural videos taken in various conditions and running objective measurements on videos of charts recorded in the lab under different conditions from 1 to 1000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
In our tests, the Google Pixel 8 produced high quality video, with good color rendering, especially on the skin tones, high levels of detail and good exposure, thanks to the HDR mode. Video stabilization was effective and the autofocus was fast, smooth and accurate. Despite some noise in low light, the Pixel 8 was the best device in its segment for video to date. For the purpose of our tests video was recorded at 4K resolution and 30fps in HDR mode.
Exposure
Google Pixel 8
116
Color
Google Pixel 8
120
Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas of the image. Stability and temporal adaption of the exposure are also analyzed.
Image-quality color analysis looks at color rendering, skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, stability of the white balance and its adaption when light is changing.
Texture
Google Pixel 8
118
Texture tests analyze the level of details and texture of the real-life videos as well as the videos of charts recorded in the lab. Natural videos recordings are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the level of details in the bright and areas as well as in the dark. Objective measurements are performed of images of charts taken in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The charts used are the DXOMARK chart (DMC) and Dead Leaves chart.
Noise
Google Pixel 8
120
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure, temporal aspects on real-life video recording as well as videos of charts taken in the lab. Natural videos are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the noise in the dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on the videos of charts recorded in various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The chart used is the DXOMARK visual noise chart.
Stabilization
Google Pixel 8
119
Stabilization evaluation tests the ability of the device to stabilize footage thanks to software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any others means. The evaluation looks at residual motion, smoothness, jellow artifacts and residual motion blur on walk and run use cases in various lighting conditions. The video below is an extract from one of the tested scenes.
The Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro delivered very good video stabilization. Results were very close to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the currently top-ranked device for this category.
Artifacts
Google Pixel 8
86
Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ringing measurements on the SFR chart in the lab as well as frame-rate measurements using the LED Universal Timer. Natural videos are visually evaluated by paying particular attention to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, blocking, and hue shift, among others. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts and corresponding point loss are listed below.
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