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DisplayWe put the Google Pixel 8a 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: 64MP f/1.89, 1/1.73″ sensor, 0.8µm pixels, 26mm equivalent lens, Quad PDAF, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 13MP sensor, 1.12µm pixels, 120˚ field of view, f/2.2-aperture lens
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Google Pixel 8a
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
43rd
3rd
Pros
- Accurate target exposure
- Fairly good contrast and good detail in photo
- Pleasant colors with fairly neutral white balance in video
- Effective video stabilization, accurate and stable autofocus
Cons
- Sometimes inaccurate skin tones in indoor portraits
- Unstable autofocus and noise variation across consecutive shots
- Depth estimation artifacts in bokeh mode shots
- Low texture/noise trade-off in video portraits, occasional exposure adaptation issues
- Frequent autofocus stepping, frame shift and sharpness differences between frames, some color fringing and judder
The Google Pixel 8a performed very well for its class in the DXOMARK Camera evaluations and showed improvements over its predecessor Pixel 7a. The Pixel 8a uses the same Google Tensor G3 chipset as the other Pixel 8 series devices but lacks a dedicated tele camera and comes with generally less advanced hardware when compared to the flagship Pixel 8 Pro.
Overall, image results were close to the Pixel 8, particularly for photo and zoom. However, the Pixel 8a did not quite match the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, and even the predecessor 7a, in terms of video detail. Our testers were particularly impressed by the Pixel 8a’s color rendering and skin tones in still photography. While the ultra-wide camera captured excellent image results, the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens meant that telephoto image quality was not quite on par with the best in class. In video mode, the Pixel 8a generally performed well under most conditions, but our testers noticed some weaknesses in terms of color and detail when recording portrait scenes.
Despite some minor shortcomings, the Google Pixel 8a is a good option for those seeking exceptional camera performance in the high-end segment.
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 8a
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 photo tests, the Google Pixel 8a’s performance was impressive and among the best in its class. Our experts particularly liked the camera’s accurate color rendering and skin tones, especially when shooting in bright light. Exposure was good across a range of light conditions, and the wide dynamic range helped preserve detail in both the highlight and shadow portions of the frame, similar to what we had previously seen on the Pixel 8. The autofocus was quick to react and worked accurately. We noticed a slightly shallower depth of field than on the Pixel 8.
The level of captured detail was high in bright light but could not quite match the Google flagships Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. In addition, the Pixel 8a’s noise levels were slightly higher across all test conditions.
Exposure
Google Pixel 8a
130
Color
Google Pixel 8a
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.
Autofocus
Google Pixel 8a
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.
Texture
Google Pixel 8a
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 8a
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 8a
82
The artifacts evaluation looks at lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometrical distortion, edges ringing, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color hue shifts, among other types 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.
Preview
Google Pixel 8a
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 8a
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.
In terms of zooming, the Google Pixel 8a delivered somewhat mixed results. The ultra-wide camera produced good image quality that was close to the Pixel 8, but the lack of a dedicated tele camera module meant that tele image quality at medium and long range lagged behind some other devices in its class.
Wide
Google Pixel 8a
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 8a
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 8a
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 video mode, the Google Pixel 8a was tested at 4K resolution and 30 frames per second. With these settings, the camera performed generally well in most conditions but revealed some weaknesses in exposure adaptation and detail rendering. In our tests, the camera also had a tendency to clip highlights. The level of recorded detail was fairly low, and our testers also noticed some slight autofocus stepping. On the plus side, colors were usually pleasant, with a neutral white balance. Video stabilization was effective and target exposure was accurate.
Exposure
Google Pixel 8a
116
Color
Google Pixel 8a
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 8a
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 8a
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 8a
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, jello 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.
Artifacts
Google Pixel 8a
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.