During a recent visit to Japan, the decision was made to travel without a traditional camera, opting instead for the Pixel 10 Pro XL. This choice reflected a desire to travel light, foregoing extra equipment like lenses and tripods. The trip, which spanned nearly 6,000 miles, was anticipated for years, and the reliability of the smartphone camera was a key factor in this decision.
While the Pixel 10 series is known for its impressive photographic capabilities, the experience revealed areas for potential improvement. Although capturing quality images is often straightforward with any Pixel device, the zoom features, particularly the 100x zoom, require careful use to ensure satisfactory results. The enhancements made to Pro Res Zoom since the model's release have made it a useful tool, though it is not a substitute for dedicated camera systems.
Overall, the trip underscored the effectiveness of the Pixel camera, while also highlighting the need for ongoing refinements to meet the expectations of serious photographers. The ease of using a smartphone for photography was liberating, despite a lingering desire for additional options in the camera's performance.