Pixel 8 Pro with Moment's Lenses | Compatibility & Example Images

Impressions

Mobile photography is constantly advancing. Every big smartphone brand claims to have the best camera, but the Google Pixel 8 Pro might change the leaderboard. Its launch event was sweet, almost Apple-like, and the phone looks top-notch. But can its camera match up to the competition?

We're typically in the Apple camp, so we were curious but skeptical about the Pixel when we got our hands on it. Can a Google phone stand out, even with its dedicated fanbase? Our doubts started to fade after just a few hours of testing. Yet, it's not perfect. When we paired it with our latest T-Series mobile lenses, we had to ask: is this a photography machine or just a marketing stunt?

Note: We tested prototype lenses, so some image quality issues, especially at the edges, will be resolved in the final product.

1. Fisheye 14mm Lens

Our immediate lens of choice? The super slick Fisheye 14mm.

The 14mm immediately grabbed our attention. It's a go-to for those who want pronounced angles in their shots. While some photographers appreciate its distinct distortion, others may find it a bit much. Our in-house photographer, Bea, vouches for it, especially for unique analog photoshoots.

The images from T-Series are distinctive; there's no denying it. They have a certain funkiness that the phone's native ultra-wide camera can't quite capture. However, while subjects close to the lens came out sharp and clear, we noticed a bit of fuzziness as they moved further away, especially in backlit scenarios. But when the lighting was proper during side-lit situations, the images were significantly sharper.

2. Wide 18mm Lens

Switching to the 18mm wide lens made a clear difference. It provides a more balanced, punched-out look without the aggressive distortion typical of the fisheye. The 18mm images in our tests were sharp, offering a happy medium between the ultra-wide and fisheye perspectives. The T-Series Wide Lens's 18mm focal length enhances the subject by opening up the perspective of our phone's native 1x camera while maintaining its flatness, making it a more versatile shooting option.

3. Tele 58mm Lens

The chunky Tele 58mm lens was next. This lens, designed primarily for portraits, displayed beautiful background separation and offered a textured bokeh behind the subject. While the Pixel's built-in portrait mode sometimes felt artificial, the Tele lens delivered a softer, more organic feel to the photos. However, a few photographers on the team argue it could be more robust than expected, giving a more neutral look than desired. This look entirely depends on your preference, whether you're aiming for a more stylized visual appeal.

4. Macro 10x Lens

The macro lens was a game changer in our testing. Standard close-ups looked good, but attaching the macro lens unveiled a level of detail that's hard to achieve with just the phone's camera. It's real magnification, a clear step from what Google's software offers. Honestly, Pixel's level of digital manipulation was harsh for our liking. We prefer the more neutral tones of Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially throughout our video footage.

5. Anamorphic Lens

For video enthusiasts, the anamorphic lens adds a professional touch. It removes the overly crisp digital feel, rendering footage that resonates more with what you'd expect from higher-end equipment.

Honest Thoughts about Pixel 8 Pro Camera

A few things stood out in our Google Pixel 8 Pro review: good and not-so-good.

What We Liked:

Right off the bat, the colors captured by the camera were notably punchy and saturated compared to the iPhone. For those who seek vibrant, rich colors without the need for post-processing, the Pixel 8 Pro could be a great choice.

One standout feature was its impressive battery life — it lasted forever. The efficiency of transferring data was also commendable. We transferred raw footage directly to our Samsung T7 drives via USB-C within minutes, eliminating the need for a laptop. While this feature is now present in the iPhone 15 lineup, credit must be given to Android for pioneering the USB-C advantage. Usability-wise, the Pixel 8 Pro makes a mark with the most crucial camera settings readily available within the camera app, a direct contrast to the iPhone, where one often has to navigate through the settings app for camera adjustments.

Lastly, though there were gripes about the video quality, it's essential to note that, in the hands of a skilled colorist, the footage has the potential to shine if you know to properly color-grade.

What We Didn't Like:

While the photos produced by the device were indeed of good quality, there was a ton of noticeable digital processing. This level of post-processing, though aimed at improving image quality, can only be avoided if one is willing to deal with massive 50 MB raw files for every snapshot taken. The same trend was noticeable in the video department — the digital sharpening was highly visible, making the footage feel somewhat "crunchy" — a term you wouldn't typically associate with video quality but aptly describes the look and feel.

Mia and Bea conducted additional tests and found that the Pixel 8 Pro softens skin tones significantly. This is a detail that beauty vloggers and portrait videographers, in particular, might want to note. Furthermore, when we paired the device with Moment lenses, the inherent digital post-processing adversely impacted the final output. The results looked noticeably inferior compared to images and videos taken on an iPhone.

Speaking of iPhones, Apple's introduction of ProRes video has resulted in a discernible reduction in digital sharpening in their devices. This gives iPhone footage a more film-like quality, starkly contrasting with the Pixel's output, which leans more towards a conventional digital look.

Final Verdict

Our in-the-field tests with the Pixel 8 Pro and the Moment T-Series lenses impressed us. Images shot with these lenses have a unique character, something not always achievable with the built-in camera software. We wouldn't typically choose to shoot with the Google Pixel on our own, but that's the beauty of our jobs, and we argue it's among our favorite smartphone cameras for anti-Apple users.

However, there's a catch. The T-Series lenses, unfortunately, don't play well with the Pixel's built-in 5x zoom, except for the Macro lens. But most would only use the Macro over a 5x zoom if you want a gag photo. It's not a significant drawback for us, and we'd instead use the Tele 58mm lens or the built-in 3x, but it's something potential buyers should know.

Overall, the Pixel 8 Pro and Moment's T-Series lenses are a powerful combo for those looking to elevate their mobile photography and filmmaking game.