Google Camera Update strips wide-angle astrophotography from pixels

Google initially allowed users to shoot astrophotography images using the Pixel 4A 5G and the Pixel 5’s primary or ultraviolet camera. Now, it looks like PayPal has quietly removed this choice in the latest Google Camera app.

Version 8.1 of the application, as shown by 9to5Google, Will not allow users to choose a 16MP 107-degree wide angle camera when shooting in special mode. Instead, the app now limits users to 12MP primary shooters with speeds of 1x missing zoom or more.

It’s unclear why Google dropped Ultra-Wide Shooter from Stargazing Entertainment, but it could lead to the overall quality of Snapper in this regard. Posts on Google’s Pixel Help forums add to this. One user explains that while shooting stars at 1x is “amazing”, shots from a wide angle lens are “horrible, green, blurry and full of noise.” Many users on this thread also echo this sentiment.

The pics above were captured on the Pixel 5 by forum-gear Harvey Etheridge. You can see the chromaticity and sound discrepancies of the wide-angle shot (right) versus the primary camera camera product.

Trading lights for wide view

This may be due to the design of the ultraviolet shooters themselves, sacrificing light and overall quality for a more detailed view. This is especially evident when light is lacking – especially when capturing the night sky.

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While Google’s move may be a bid to improve the overall quality of astrophotography on pixels, it will unfortunately eliminate phones of that mode that make it a more enjoyable experience. In our Pixel 4XL review, we lamented the lack of a wide angle lens for astrophotography on that phone. The justice of the night sky – and the width – of shooting with the primary camera mera.

It’s not clear if Google’s Pixel 4A 5G and Pixel 5’s wide-angle astrophotography could work on a more refined redesign for smartphones, but for now, you’ll have to do without it.

Next: Best phones with ultra-wide rear camera