Compare camera performance of Pixel 10 vs Galaxy S25

The Google Pixel 10 features a triple lens rear camera system including a 48MP primary wide camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 13MP ultrawide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens that supports 5x optical zoom. The phone is powered by Google's Tensor G5 chip, which brings significant computational photography enhancements, particularly in noise reduction and contrast management. The Pixel 10's camera tends to produce images with a contrasty, dramatic look that many find aesthetically pleasing. Images from the main sensor deliver crisp details, good color accuracy, and effective handling of complex scenes with minimal noise even in low light conditions. Night shots show reduced noise and better detail retention compared to the Pixel 9, mainly owing to improved image processing algorithms enabled by the Tensor G5 chip.

Portrait shots with the Pixel 10 exhibit accurate edge detection and pleasing skin tones, a hallmark of Google's camera software prowess. The new telephoto lens offers a genuine 5x optical zoom, a first for the base Pixel model, significantly enhancing zoom quality by retaining detail at multiple zoom levels. Digital zoom on the Pixel 10 extends up to 20x through Google's Super Res Zoom technology, which compensates for detail loss beyond the optical range with AI-based enhancement. The ultrawide camera, while smaller in resolution at 13MP compared to its predecessor's 48MP, retains solid performance in broad scene capture with decent levels of detail and a 120-degree field of view.

Video capabilities on the Pixel 10 include effective noise management in low light and realistic color reproduction, though some reviews noted a slight lack of fine detail in video footage. The phone is known to perform well for casual and semi-professional photography, especially for those who prefer a balance of ease of use and image quality enhancement through AI.

In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S25 uses a different approach with a versatile camera setup featuring a 50MP wide main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto camera supporting 3x optical zoom with up to 30x digital zoom. The S25 is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip which offers powerful processing capabilities, especially for GPU-intensive tasks including video processing. Samsung's camera software emphasizes vibrant and saturated colors, which some users appreciate while others find less flattering, particularly for darker skin tones. The Galaxy S25 excels in video recording, supporting 8K video at 240 frames per second and including an ultra-steady mode that helps deliver smooth footage even during active filming. This makes the S25 particularly attractive for videographers and content creators who prioritize video quality and stability.

The Galaxy S25's telephoto lens, though offering a lower optical zoom factor compared to the Pixel 10's 5x, compensates somewhat with more aggressive digital zoom reach. The wide and ultrawide cameras deliver sharp, well-exposed images with good dynamic range under most conditions, but the Samsung processing style leans towards boosting saturation and contrast more aggressively than the Pixel 10, creating a distinctly different viewing experience for photos.

In terms of low light photography, Samsung's Galaxy S25 generally performs well, balancing exposure and color with advanced noise reduction techniques, though some reports suggest Google's Pixel software achieves slightly cleaner noise control at night. Samsung's video performance and advanced recording options give it an edge over the Pixel 10 when it comes to videography.

Comparing the two, the Pixel 10 is often praised for its effective computational photography techniques, producing naturalistic yet vibrant photos with excellent dynamic range and good low light performance. Its telephoto lens with 5x zoom provides superior optical zoom capabilities compared to the Galaxy S25's 3x telephoto lens. The Pixel's photos tend to have a more realistic and contrast-rich style while avoiding oversaturation. Night images maintain impressive detail with reduced noise, benefiting from Google's sophisticated algorithms and Tensor G5's capabilities.

The Galaxy S25, meanwhile, aims for more versatile usage with strong video features and a camera system well-suited for users wanting punchy, eye-catching photos and robust video recording options. The 8K 240fps video capability and ultra-steady mode are standout features for mobile videography. However, Samsung's more saturated color profiles may not suit all users, especially under certain lighting conditions or skin tones.

Overall, for still photography with an emphasis on natural tones, detail, and zoom capabilities, the Pixel 10 is a formidable competitor with its upgraded telephoto lens and AI-enhanced image processing. For video recording and slightly more vibrant photos, the Galaxy S25 tends to shine with its higher frame rate video modes and ultra-steady stabilization. Both devices offer top-tier camera technology reflecting their manufacturers' distinct strengths in smartphone photography.