> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://birchtree.me/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Google Pixel 3a and iPhone XS Camera Comparison - URL: https://birchtree.me/blog/google-pixel-3a-and-iphone-xs-camera-comparison/ - Published: 2019-05-11T14:33:32.000Z - Updated: 2019-05-11T14:33:32.000Z - Author: Matt Birchler - Tags: pixel, #Import 2023-06-01 22:41, #Import 2025-03-29 19:29 Y’all know the drill by now, so let’s do a world-famous BirchTree camera comparison®. These photos are separated into a few different categories, but know that the first photo will always be the iPhone XS and the second will be the Pixel 3a. Enjoy! *I’ll also note up front that we’re comparing a $399 camera and a $999 camera. Yes, the Pixel 3a makes other compromises, but the fact this comparison is even worth doing is remarkable and I’m very happy there is a budge phone out there will a killer camera.* ## Portrait Mode ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/1-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/1-pixel.jpeg) I think the iPhone takes a better portrait here, especially when it comes to details in my scruffy face. It’s remarkably more clear than the Pixel’s image. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/2-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/2-pixel.jpeg) The iPhone once again smokes the Pixel here. Edge detection is better, and the iPhone has a better depth map as you can see the Pixel is just blurring everything that isn’t the gargoyle, but the iPhone is blurring everything that’s closer/further away than the gargoyle. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/3-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/3-pixel.jpeg) This is my all time favorite portrait mode test, and I think the iPhone wins again with better colors and better depth sensing (see between her hair and neck). ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/4-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/4-pixel.jpeg) This one goes to the iPhone because the Pixel didn’t even try to blur anything. I will say this is the least “real world” test shot in the bunch, so take it for what you will. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/5-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/5-pixel.jpeg) This is serious stress test territory, and I think the Pixel does a better job here, although neither is good enough yet to nail this. ## Daytime Photos ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/6-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/6-pixel.jpeg) This might be a taste thing, but the iPhone shot is way better to my eyes. It was a bright, sunny day and the Pixel makes it look like a more cloudy, overcast day. Also the iPhone’s colors are more appealing and details are sharper when zooming in. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/7-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/7-pixel.jpeg) Pretty much the same story here as I think the Pixel photo has too much contrast and makes the building look darker than it should be. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/8-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/8-pixel.jpeg) I kind of like the Pixel image more here than the last two, but it’s still clearly contrasting the hell out of this photo and I prefer the nicer colors and clarity of the iPhone one. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/9-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/9-pixel.jpeg) This is a 5x zoom comparison, and while I think I got the iPhone to like 4.5x, it’s clear that Google’s fancy zoom enhancements can’t match simply having a longer lens (at least for now). ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/10-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/10-pixel.jpeg) These selfies are mostly a wash, but I do prefer the iPhone’s FOV, which produces a more flattering image of people’s faces. The Pixel has a wider FOV, which is nice for getting more in the frame, but makes people look a little “off” sometimes. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/11-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/11-pixel.jpeg) This is another zoom shot, this time at 2x, and these are basically identical. If you zoom in there is a tad more detail in the iPhone shot, but you really have to squint to see it. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/12-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/12-pixel.jpeg) The Pixel is betrayed again by its overly aggressive contrast and this looks too dark compared to the iPhone’s more pleasant image. ## Nighttime *Note for this section that it’s still iPhone, the Pixel, but if there is a third photo, it’s Night Sight on the Pixel.* ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/13-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/13-pixel.jpeg) This one is super close, but the Pixel has a slightly crisper image while the colors on the iPhone are a little better. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/14-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/14-pixel1.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/14-pixel2.jpeg) This one is hard to call too. The iPhone produces what is basically a watercolor painting as it blurs so much of the image to avoid noise, but it still looks a tad cleaner than the Pixel’s shot. The third image uses Night Sight and I think is what I’d like to have for myself. It’s a tap over brightened, but it’s easy enough to darken it a little in post than brighten up the other shots. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/15-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/15-pixel.jpeg) Holy white balance difference, Batman! I’m not even going to call this one since they’re so different. I think the Pixel gets closer to reality, but I think the iPhone shot, which unrealistic, is more pleasing. ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/16-iphone.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/16-pixel1.jpeg) ![](https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/birchtree/images/pixel3a/16-pixel2.jpeg) On this last comparison I’d say the standard Pixel shot is the worst with its unappealing yellow coloring, and it’s a toss up between the iPhone and Night Sight photos. The iPhone holds its own here, and even zooming in shows as much detail as the Night Sight shot.