3 hidden Pixel camera features that can instantly take your videos to the next level

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Android’s Digital camera app can dramatically enhance your movies.
• There are three options which might be both new and/or improved.
• These options are straightforward sufficient for anybody to make use of.

One of many explanation why I’ve caught with the Pixel phones is due to the camera. I’ve but to check an Android cellphone with a superior sensor and app, and the outcomes usually converse for themselves.

However with video, Android has lagged a bit behind iOS. Filming with an iPhone is usually extra elegant and provides extra options. Nevertheless, Google is slowly catching up, and the newest batch of updates brings new options and improves others.

Let’s chat about these options, lets?

1. Video Enhance

That is most likely a very powerful new characteristic discovered within the Android Digital camera app. Primarily, Video Enhance enhances shade, lighting, and stabilization in a single fell swoop. On prime of that, Video Enhance permits filming in 8K decision. I’ve discovered the outcomes of utilizing this characteristic to be dramatic — particularly in low-light conditions. 

Additionally: Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: I’ve tried both flagships, and there’s an easy winner

In actual fact, I usually default to Video Enhance just because the general outcomes are higher than when not utilizing it. However do not be fooled, Video Enhance is not restricted to low-light conditions. I’ve used the characteristic in all types of circumstances and located it improves the outcomes. That being stated, the outcomes are way more apparent when filming in low mild.

To make use of Video Enhance, open your Digital camera app and faucet the Video button. Faucet the Settings icon within the decrease left nook after which faucet the correct icon (digicam with no line throughout it) related to Video Enhance. 

Additionally: Best vlogging cameras (and whether you need a flip screen)

As soon as the characteristic is on, it is going to stay on till you flip it off. 

2. Improved video stabilization

Have you ever ever been filming an vital second, solely to view the saved video and discover it to be too shaky to share? It is occurred to me too many instances. Fortunately, Google has improved the video stabilization to the purpose the place you possibly can depend upon it now. Previous to this replace, I discovered video stabilization to solely barely enhance the outcomes. With the brand new iteration, it is fairly good.

There are three modes for video stabilization:

• Locked: Consider this as tripod mode and use it whenever you’re not shifting.
• Customary: Steadies mild actions.
• Energetic: Leads to clean video whenever you’re on the transfer.

There’s one vital issue to bear in mind: not each stabilization mode works with each setting. For instance, to make use of Energetic mode, you have to be in FHD decision and 30FPS. All modes are unavailable with Video Enhance lively.

To pick your Stabilization mode, open the Digital camera app video settings and faucet the mode you need to use. 

Additionally: How to turn your Google Photos into videos in seconds – it’s free and so much fun

I might counsel turning Stabilization off whenever you’re performed filming since you may not want it for normal movies (and it does use a bit extra processor overhead when on).

3. Blur

In filming, there’s one thing referred to as rack focus that switches focus from one topic to a different (sometimes, one topic is farther away than the opposite). This may add a dramatic impact to movies, and the Android digicam app has this in-built.

 Racking focus is not truly the aim of Blur, but it surely’s a pleasant bonus. What Blur is admittedly for is filming a topic with a blurred background. Consider it like Portrait Mode for video. The Blur characteristic works properly in Android 15 when utilizing it for its supposed objective. While you use it for racking focus, it could possibly get a bit tough. 

In case you’re interested by utilizing Blur for racking focus, open the Digital camera app, swap to Video, slide it to Blur, and body your topics. Faucet on the closest topic, and all the things behind it is going to blur. Then faucet on the topic that is farthest away, and all the things nearer will blur. You may shift the main focus forwards and backwards (for a pleasant dramatic impact), however faucet between topics when crucial.

I’ve used Blur fairly a bit and located it to be an exquisite addition.

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