The Google Pixel 9a enters the budget smartphone market, promising flagship-level camera performance. But does it truly match the premium Google Pixel 9 Pro? From daylight to low-light, selfies to zoom—let’s check out a real-world camera test to find out!
If you are looking for a phone that is budget-friendly and also excels in the camera department, then the Google Pixel 9a might be an interesting option for you.
But the question is – can it really compete with flagship phones like the Google Pixel 9 Pro or does it fall a little short? Today, we will explore this phone’s camera in detail and see how it performs – from morning to night, from photos to videos. So, let’s get started!
Google Pixel 9a Camera: Flagship-Level Camera in a Budget?
The moment you hear the name of the Pixel series, one thing comes to mind – an amazing camera! And the Google Pixel 9a carries this legacy forward. It has a 48MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 13MP selfie camera.
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Seeing the numbers, you might think, “Hey, this is way less than the 9 Pro XL!” But wait a moment – I compared the cameras of both phones, and the results genuinely surprised me.
Despite being a budget phone, the 9a delivers flagship-level performance in many areas. Curious, right? So, let’s break down each point!
Camera Specs: What’s Special About It?
The Pixel 9a comes with a dual camera setup – a 48MP main lens (f/1.7) and a 13MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV). For selfies, a 13MP sensor is provided.
Looking at these specs, you might feel it’s weaker compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL with its 48MP telephoto or 50MP main camera. Google’s AI-driven processing significantly enhances photos, making even a budget phone deliver impressive results. One thing to note – there’s no Pro mode, so all photos are clicked at a default 12MP resolution.
Camera Specs Comparison
| Feature | Pixel 9a | Pixel 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP |
| Ultra-Wide | 13MP, f/2.2, 120° | Yes |
| Telephoto | Not Available | 48MP, 5x zoom |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP | Higher resolution |
Morning Photos: Real Colors or a Bit of Saturation?
Let’s start with morning photos. I tested both phones – the 9a and the 9 Pro XL – and the results were almost identical! From 0.5x ultra-wide to 2x zoom, the only difference was that the 9 Pro XL saturates colors a bit more, while the 9a gives more natural, true-to-life shades.
If you like natural photography, the 9a will win your heart. In a tough test – pointing the camera directly at the sun – both performed equally well. Both phones handle direct sunlight well, minimizing lens flare and overexposure.
Portrait Mode: Who Won?
Portrait photography gave a mixed bag. The 9 Pro XL softens skin (more noticeable after the Marsh update), while the 9a doesn’t. If you prefer a natural look, the 9a is better.
But in subject isolation, the 9 Pro XL takes the lead – it separates foreground and background better. The 9a struggles a bit, but surprisingly, it isolated my face (especially around the hair) better. So, it’s about personal taste – what do you prefer?
Portrait Mode Comparison
| Aspect | Pixel 9a | 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Tone | Natural | Softened |
| Subject Isolation | Decent, good on hair | Excellent |
| Preference | Natural lovers | Polished look fans |
Selfie: What a Thing!
Speaking of the selfie camera, the 9 Pro XL wins with its higher resolution and wider field of view, obviously. But the 9a isn’t far behind! Details are good, colors are almost the same, and the field of view is decent too.
Yes, in harsh light, the 9a might show more lens flare, but overall performance is great. A budget phone with such a good selfie camera – I liked it!
Zoom and Macros: How Far Does It Go?
When it comes to zoom, the 9a lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, unlike the 9 Pro XL with its 48MP 5x zoom. At 8x zoom, the 9a loses details completely, while the 9 Pro XL pulls ahead.
But in macro photography, the 9a surprised me! It’s the first A-series phone with a macro feature. The 9 Pro XL focuses better, but the 9a delivers sharp details at the center. Both offer detailed macros – a big plus for a budget phone.
Zoom & Macro Breakdown
- Zoom:
- 9a: Struggles at 8x
- 9 Pro XL: Clear at 5x+
- Macro:
- 9a: Sharp center
- 9 Pro XL: Better focus
Video Quality: Stabilized, But How Much?
In videos, the 9a performs well too. On the ultra-wide lens, the 9 Pro XL offers more saturated colors and slightly better details, but stabilization is the same in both. The same story with the main lens – the 9 Pro XL is slightly ahead, but the 9a isn’t so far behind that you’d complain.
One drawback – the 9a lacks the Video Boost feature found in the flagship. In front camera videos, the 9a is good, but lens flares and a narrower FOV let the 9 Pro XL win. Overall, video quality is decent for the budget.
Night Mode: Who’s the King of the Night?
In night photos, the ultra-wide on the 9a shows some noise, while the 9 Pro XL delivers cleaner, more detailed shots. But at 1x and 2x, both perform almost identically – noise, white balance, and contrast are the same.
With Night Sight ON, the 9a’s ultra-wide improves, but it’s still behind the 9 Pro XL. In portraits, the 9a’s colors felt more accurate, while the 9 Pro XL gave warmer tones. Selfies showed mixed results – sometimes the 9a led, sometimes the 9 Pro XL. At 8x zoom, the 9 Pro XL wins, but I liked the 9a’s colors more.
Night Videos: A Little Shortcoming Remains
In night videos, the 9a’s ultra-wide is quite noisy and lacks details – it reminded me of the Pixel 5. The 9 Pro XL is clearly better here. On the main camera, the 9a recovers a bit, but it’s still not as clean as the 9 Pro XL.
In front camera videos, both are decent, but the 9 Pro XL’s wider FOV and less noise make it the winner. Google needs to work on night video!
Pros and Cons of Pixel 9a
Pros:
✅ Natural colors in photos
✅ Good portrait and macro mode
✅ Solid video stabilization
✅ AI-powered image processing
Cons:
❌ No Pro mode for advanced users
❌ No dedicated telephoto lens
❌ Night video quality needs improvement
Considering its price (~550 EUR), the Pixel 9a offers great value.
Verdict: Is the Pixel 9a for You?
So, friends, the Google Pixel 9a’s camera is a solid contender in the budget segment. Natural colors, decent portraits, and a surprisingly good macro mode make it stand out.
Yes, the lack of Video Boost and shortcomings in night videos sting a bit, but considering the Pixel 9a specs and price (around 550 EUR), it’s value for money. Want to know about the launch date? Check out this link!
What do you think – would you try this phone? Let me know in the comments, and if you want to learn more about the Pixel series, visit our site!
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