Pixel 10 Pro 100x Zoom Is It Real Photography
Beyond the Naked Eye: A First Look at 100x Zoom
The question "What is a photo?" is becoming more relevant as smartphone cameras lean heavily on AI. Google's new Pixel 10 Pro brings this question to the forefront with its 100x Pro Res Zoom feature, which uses AI to sharpen and reconstruct images taken at extreme digital zoom. But does the end result justify the means? Let's take a closer look.
My first experience with the 100x zoom was genuinely shocking. After sliding the zoom to its maximum, I snapped a picture of a scene that looked like a pixelated mess on my screen. A few seconds later, after some on-screen "sparkles" did their work, the image resolved into a stunningly detailed and accurate photo of something I could barely see with my own eyes.
This feature is powerful. 100x zoom is incredibly far. You can capture details you never knew were there. For instance, in one photo, a church was barely a speck at 1x zoom. With Pro Res Zoom, I got a great-looking shot of it without moving an inch. The same happened with a hotel in Phoenix; the AI-enhanced version accurately kept details true to life, including specific stains on the building. Even photos of the moon hold up, making past accusations about brands ‘faking’ moon images seem less controversial now that Google is applying similar tech to everything.
The Cracks in the AI: Not Always Picture Perfect
While Pro Res Zoom is impressive, it's not perfect. I've noticed issues when it comes to logos and small text, where the AI's reconstruction can go awry.
Take this photo of a traffic light with a digital billboard behind it. In the original, un-processed view, you can make out the shape of the Pepsi logo, even though it's pixelated. After the AI processing finished, however, the logo was noticeably warped. While not a deal-breaker for casual shots, it's a dead giveaway that the image has been computationally altered.
Is It Real? The AI Photography Debate
When I shared these sample shots with friends, their reactions were mixed. While everyone agreed the results were impressive, there was a sense of unease. One person asked, “Is that even a photo of anything real anymore, or did the AI fill in so many gaps that it no longer represents reality?”
Is that even a photo of anything real anymore, or did the AI fill in so many gaps that it no longer represents reality?
This is a valid concern. The reality is, our smartphones have been using AI to enhance photos for years. When your phone automatically optimizes settings for a sunset, that's AI at work. Pro Res Zoom is just a much more significant step in that direction.
The Verdict: AI's Place in Your Photo Library
My own feelings on this are nuanced. The right answer really depends on the purpose of the photo. For my personal journaling and sharing photos with family, I want them to look as good as possible, even if that means they aren't purely from an optical lens. These photos are for my personal memories.
However, I believe professional photography should steer clear of this level of AI integration. I want to see a sports photographer's perfectly timed shot of a game-winning basket, captured through skill and a professional lens, not an AI-generated image. Thankfully, manual photography isn't going anywhere.
The key is transparency. How much of the photo is regenerated by AI? The average user should be able to know which parts are from the sensor and which are AI-generated so they can decide for themselves.
A Transparent Future for AI-Enhanced Images
To its credit, Google is being very upfront about the use of AI. In Google Photos, any image enhanced with Pro Res Zoom has a small icon on the thumbnail to indicate it's been processed. Furthermore, the photo's metadata includes a dedicated section confirming AI was used. I'm glad Google is taking this proactive approach.
Would I prefer a 100x optical zoom lens in my phone? Absolutely. But the laws of physics make that impossible for now. Until then, the Google Pixel 10 Pro and its impressive AI offer the next best thing, and it fits right in my pocket.
