3 Hidden Pixel Camera Features That Can Instantly Take Your Videos To The Next Level

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • Android's Camera app tin dramatically amended your videos.
  • There are 3 features that are either caller and/or improved.
  • These features are easy capable for anyone to use.

One of nan reasons why I've stuck pinch nan Pixel phones is because of nan camera. I've yet to trial an Android telephone pinch a superior sensor and app, and nan results mostly speak for themselves.

But pinch video, Android has lagged a spot down iOS. Filming pinch an iPhone is typically much elegant and offers much features. However, Google is slow catching up, and nan latest batch of updates brings caller features and improves others.

Let's chat astir those features, shall we?

1. Video Boost

This is astir apt nan astir important caller characteristic recovered successful nan Android Camera app. Essentially, Video Boost enhances color, lighting, and stabilization successful 1 fell swoop. On apical of that, Video Boost enables filming successful 8K resolution. I've recovered nan results of utilizing this characteristic to beryllium melodramatic -- particularly successful low-light situations. 

Also: Google Pixel 10 Pro vs. iPhone 16 Pro: I've tried some flagships, and there's an easy winner

In fact, I often default to Video Boost simply because nan wide results are amended than erstwhile not utilizing it. But don't beryllium fooled, Video Boost isn't constricted to low-light situations. I've utilized nan characteristic successful each sorts of conditions and recovered it improves nan results. That being said, nan results are acold much evident erstwhile filming successful debased light.

A comparison showing Video Boost disconnected and Video Boost on.

The Video Boost image is connected nan right.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

To usage Video Boost, unfastened your Camera app and pat nan Video button. Tap nan Settings icon successful nan little near area and past pat nan correct icon (camera pinch nary statement crossed it) associated pinch Video Boost. 

Also: Best vlogging cameras (and whether you request a flip screen)

The enable/disable switches for Video Boost.

 I would propose only utilizing Video Boost erstwhile necessary.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Once nan characteristic is on, it will stay connected until you move it off. 

2. Improved video stabilization

Have you ever been filming an important moment, only to position nan saved video and find it to beryllium excessively shaky to share? It's happened to maine excessively galore times. Thankfully, Google has improved nan video stabilization to nan constituent wherever you tin dangle connected it now. Prior to this update, I recovered video stabilization to only somewhat amended nan results. With nan caller iteration, it's rather good.

There are 3 modes for video stabilization:

  • Locked: Think of this arsenic tripod mode and usage it erstwhile you're not moving.
  • Standard: Steadies ray movements.
  • Active: Results successful soft video erstwhile you're connected nan move.

There's 1 important facet to support successful mind: not each stabilization mode useful pinch each setting. For example, to usage Active mode, you must beryllium successful FHD solution and 30FPS. All modes are unavailable pinch Video Boost active.

The Android Camera settings page.

You'll person to research pinch different characteristic combinations to cognize really to alteration each stabilization mode.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

To prime your Stabilization mode, unfastened nan Camera app video settings and pat nan mode you want to use. 

Also: How to move your Google Photos into videos successful seconds - it's free and truthful overmuch fun

I would propose turning Stabilization disconnected erstwhile you're done filming because you mightiness not request it for regular videos (and it does usage a spot much processor overhead erstwhile on).

3. Blur

In filming, there's thing called rack attraction that switches attraction from 1 taxable to different (typically, 1 taxable is farther distant than nan other). This tin adhd a melodramatic effect to videos, and nan Android camera app has this built in.

 Racking attraction isn't really nan intent of Blur, but it's a bully bonus. What Blur is really for is filming a taxable pinch a blurred background. Think of it for illustration Portrait Mode for video. The Blur characteristic useful good successful Android 15 erstwhile utilizing it for its intended purpose. When you usage it for racking focus, it tin get a spot tricky. 

If you're funny astir utilizing Blur for racking focus, unfastened nan Camera app, move to Video, descent it to Blur, and framework your subjects. Tap connected nan closest subject, and everything down it will blur. Then pat connected nan taxable that's farthest away, and everything person will blur. You tin displacement nan attraction backmost and distant (for a bully melodramatic effect), but pat betwixt subjects erstwhile necessary.

I've utilized Blur rather a spot and recovered it to beryllium a awesome addition.

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