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The Pixel camera is arguably one of the most powerful smartphone cameras available, but like so many of Google’s products, some of the best features require a little digging. I’ve tested almost every Pixel camera to date, and I’ve learned that the best picture quality begins by knowing which settings actually matter and when to use them.
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These are the nine camera settings I’ve changed on my Pixel 10 Pro to improve image quality. Some work across all recent Pixel models, and others are exclusive to the Pro lineup.
1. Switch to the full sensor with a 4:3 aspect ratio
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For years, I shot in 16:9 aspect ratio on my Pixel, primarily because it looked more cinematic and modern. Then one day I read the setting label with fresh eyes: “Wide Crop.”
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Your Pixel’s camera sensor is physically shaped in a 4:3 ratio. When shooting in 16:9, the camera is cropping off the top and bottom of the image before the shutter is even pressed. You’re permanently throwing away vertical resolution.
Switching to 4:3 means keeping everything the sensor is seeing. You can always crop to 16:9 afterward if you are going for that cinematic look, but you can’t add back data that was never captured in the first place.
Open the camera app, tap the Settings gear icon > Ratio > Full Image (4:3). Your photos will look slightly taller in the viewfinder, but you’ll capture a lot more data.
2. Enable Rich Color for wider color information
The Display P3 color space captures more color information than the older sRGB standard, particularly in the reds and greens. More color information means more vibrant images, and that means more flexibility when editing later. There’s really no downside to just leaving this setting on.
Go to Settings > More Settings > Rich color in photos and toggle it on. Your Pixel will now capture pictures with a wider color gamut, and you’ll definitely notice the difference on compatible displays.
3. Try Ultra HDR to add vibrant brightness
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Ultra HDR mode dramatically boosts brightness, improving photos with vibrant color and contrast. Once you enable it, you might find it hard to go back because it gives your images a more alive and dynamic look, particularly on displays that support it.
That said, the mode is definitely not for everyone. Some users notice a blooming or halo effect around bright objects and high-contrast edges, which can feel unnatural. While I prefer the look of this setting, I recognize your mileage may vary.
To toggle Ultra HDR, go to Settings > More Settings > Ultra HDR and switch it on or off.
4. Use on-screen Grids for better composition
I use Grid overlays constantly. They help me avoid the tendency to center every subject, and, more importantly, they make planning for vertical crops much easier. When I frame with the Rule of Thirds and place my main subject within one of those on-screen columns, cropping to a vertical format later becomes dead simple.
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Navigate to Settings > More Settings > Grid Type > 3×3 to enable the Rule of Thirds grid like I do. Two horizontal and two vertical lines will appear in your viewfinder, creating nine sections. Place important elements at the intersections for more dynamic, balanced compositions. The golden ratio Grid is an option that takes traditional picture-taking know-how and makes it dead simple to apply.
5. Turn on Framing Hints to keep your shots level
I always have Framing Hints active, primarily as a gut-check for horizon leveling. Whether I’m shooting landscapes or just trying to keep a street scene straight, those two lines that meet and turn yellow at zero degrees are helpful. The overhead indicator comes in handy when I am shooting top-down product shots of phones for my reviews.
Enable this in Settings > More Settings > Framing hints. You’ll get a horizontal level indicator and an up/down guide for overhead shots, keeping your phone perfectly parallel to the ground.
6. Access Pro Controls for manual photography (Pro only)
This is where the Pixel 10 Pro (and other Pro models like the 8 Pro, 9 Pro, and Pro Fold) truly separates from the base model. Pro Controls give you manual sliders for focus, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, Exposure, Shadows, and even Night Sight settings for low-light shots. This kind of flexible control makes you an active operator in the field.
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From the main camera viewfinder, tap the Controls icon in the lower-right corner and swipe the toolset left to right for each function. These controls are useful for low-light photography, controlled motion blur, or any situation where you need more creative control than the auto mode provides.
7. Understand when to use 50MP vs 12MP (Pro only)
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This setting confuses a lot of people, so let me break down my actual workflow. The Pixel 10 Pro’s 50MP sensor uses pixel binning by default, combining all that pixel data down into a more manageable 12MP file.
I use 12MP for most things because it saves space, pixel binning can really help with low-light and fast-motion scenarios, and special Pixel features, such as Top Shot and Motion Photos, require it.
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I switch to 50MP when I’m shooting landscapes to capture all that extra detail, or when I’m planning to make large prints of my pictures later. Just be aware that 50MP files can take up more storage space.
Change this in Settings > Pro tab > Resolution and toggle between 12MP and 50MP based on your shooting scenario.
8. Shoot RAW + JPEG for editing flexibility (Pro only)
I typically use JPEG for everyday shooting, but when I went on a family trip to Italy recently, I switched to RAW + JPEG mode. I knew I might want to make prints afterward, and having the flexibility to recover highlights and manipulate shadow detail was important to me.
There’s a big tradeoff, however. RAW files in DNG format take up a ton more space on your device, so use them with care. But for important shots where you want maximum editing control, it’s totally worth it.
Enable this in Settings > Pro tab > RAW/JPEG > RAW + JPEG. As the name suggests, you’ll get both a compressed JPEG for quick sharing and a full RAW file for serious editing later. This setting is the best of both worlds.
9. Switch to Manual Lens Selection to prevent unwanted cropping (Pro only)
There have been multiple times when I’m pointing at an object that’s not too far away but not super close-up, and the Pixel has a hard time determining which is the right lens for the job. The device then automatically switches to the wrong lens, resulting in a distorted, fuzzy foreground image that’s totally unusable. Manual lens selection prevents that issue.
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Set this to Manual in Settings > Pro tab > Lens Selection > Manual. Now you get direct, DSLR-like control over exactly which lens is being used.
These nine settings have transformed my shooting experience with the Pixel 10 Pro. Whether you’re shooting family memories or trying to master manual photography, taking a few minutes to make these adjustments will unlock significantly better image quality.
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