If you take a quick look at the specs and ask a salesperson in the store, you could be led to believe there is not much of a difference.
But there are some hardware and software differences, where the latter in particular can seem a bit provocative, as Google tries to lure people over to the Pro model (ed. Apple does the same thing).
So should you spend the extra money and buy the Pro model, or is the small Pixel 8 good enough? Read along here.
The Pixel 8 does NOT have “Pro Mode” and does not have the option to use all of its 50MP on the main camera, as Google disables that option via Software. You will therefore get 12MP images. Likewise, you don’t get all the options that the Pro model has, to quick-edit things such as Focus, Shutter speed and ISO levels.
However, you can use the Google Photos app on both phones: Best Picture, Magic Eraser, and several other great features. BUT Video enhancer will only be available for the Pro model. It is the feature that turns a video you have recorded into delicious HDR quality after a trip to the cloud.
Both, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro can save in RAW format, and that’s great because the RAW image is often better than the “processed” one.
Pixel 8 has Laser AF vs multi-zone Laser AF on 8 Pro. However, it is close to impossible to demonstrate a difference and prove it in practice on photos.
Please watch my video about the exact difference between the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro here.
Likewise, only the Selfie camera on the 8 Pro has autofocus and that feature is not on the Pixel 8. This is also difficult to prove as can be seen in the video. Otherwise, the Selfie camera has the same hardware.
8 Pro has a telephoto lens, which means a difference in how far the two models can zoom.
8x vs 30x in Photo mode in favor of the Pixel 8 Pro.
7x vs 20x in Video mode in favor of the Pixel 8 Pro.
The 8 uses its standard lens to do digital zoom, while the 8 Pro can zoom 5x with its optical lens, and then switches to digital zoom to achieve 20x or 30x.
The 8 Pro also has a better 50MP Ultrawide lens, which, in addition to better wide-format images, also provides better macro photos.
Does all this mean the Pixel 8 is a bad camera phone?
No not at all. It’s still excellent, and a solid choice, and you’re AHEAD of many other smartphone camera competitors.
When should you buy the 8 Pro? If you can understand all the words mentioned in this article, and you have the need to zoom far, as well as being completely at the forefront of technological possibilities, then it’s the phone for you.
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