We subjected the Google Pixel 6a to our rigorous SBMARK camera test suite to measure its performance in terms of photo, video and zoom quality from an end-user perspective. This article explains how the device performed in a variety of tests and different common use cases and aims to highlight the most important results of our tests with an extract of the acquired data.
Overview
Key Camera Specifications:
- Primary: 12.2 MP 1 / 2.55 ″ sensor, 1.4 μm pixel, 77 ° field of view, f / 1.7 aperture lens, Dual PDAF, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12 MP, 1.25 μm pixels, 114 ° field of view, f / 2.2 aperture lens
- Video: 4K at 60/30 fps, 1080p at 60/30 fps
Pros
- Beautiful and accurate colors for photos and videos
- Good exposure and wide dynamic range in bright light and indoors
- Effective video stabilization
versus
- Lack of detail at medium range and longer telephoto zoom
- Some image noise in all light conditions
- Loss of fine detail in low light conditions
- Bokeh blur effect not visible in preview
The Google Pixel 6a is the least expensive model in the Pixel 6 series, with slightly less sophisticated camera hardware than the Pixel 6, which uses a larger image sensor in the main camera module. Like the Pixel 6, it also has to do without the 6 Pro’s dedicated camera.
Despite hardware differences, image rendering is overall very close to the standard Pixel 6 and the 6a comes very close to its sibling model’s impressive score in our SBMARK Camera tests. The performance of the test is particularly similar for exposure and color. The hardware limitations are most noticeable in terms of image noise, detail and tele zoom quality. On the plus side, the 6a’s smaller sensor offers a slightly wider depth of field that provides better sharpness on subjects in the background.
Google Pixel 6a camera scores compared to high-end ones
This chart compares the SBMARK photo, zoom and video scores between the tested device and the references. The average and maximum scores of the price segment are also indicated. The average and maximum scores for each price segment are calculated based on the SBMARK database of tested devices.
Test summary
About SBMARK Camera Tests: SBMARK camera assessments take place in labs and real-world situations using a wide variety of subjects. Scores are based on objective tests for which results are calculated directly by the measurement software on the settings of our laboratory and on perceptual tests in which a sophisticated set of metrics allows a group of image experts to compare aspects of quality image that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. The quality of photo, zoom and video is evaluated separately and then combined into an overall score for comparing cameras from different devices. For more information on the SBMARK Camera protocol, click here. More details on the smartphone camera scores can be found here. The following section collects the key elements of SBMARK’s comprehensive testing and analysis. Comprehensive performance evaluations are available upon request. Contact us to find out how to receive a full report.
Photo
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About SBMARK Camera Photo Tests
For scoring and analysis, SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate more than 2,600 test images in both controlled laboratory environments and natural outdoor, indoor and low-light scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The photographic protocol is designed to take into account the main use cases and is based on typical shooting scenarios, such as portraits, family photographs and landscapes. Assessment is done by visually inspecting images Cons a natural scene reference and making objective measurements on graphical images captured in the lab under various lighting conditions from 1 to 1,000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
When shooting still images, the Pixel 6a offers excellent color performance and shares the highest score for this sub-category with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. The camera also performs very well for exposure, especially in low light and night scenes. Target exposure is consistently accurate and dynamic range is wide down to low light conditions.
In terms of autofocus, the 6a also does slightly better than the 6 and 6 Pro, despite some slight difficulties in demanding scenes in low light. In addition, its greater depth of field allows for group shots with better detail on all faces. However, it’s not as good as the iPhone SE in this respect.
Compared to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, the 6a’s most obvious drawbacks are shadow noise, even in bright light, and a lower level of captured detail in all lighting conditions.
Google Pixel 6a Photo vs High-End Scores
Photo tests analyze image quality attributes such as exposure, color, texture, and noise under various lighting conditions. Autofocus performance and the presence of artifacts on all images acquired under controlled laboratory conditions and in real-life images are also evaluated. All of these attributes have a significant impact on the final quality of the images captured with the tested device and can help understand the main strengths and weaknesses of the camera.
Exposure
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Exposure and color are the key attributes for technically good images. For exposure, the main attribute evaluated is the brightness of the main subject in various use cases such as landscape, portrait or still life. Other factors evaluated are contrast and dynamic range, eg. the ability to make details visible in both light and dark areas of the image. Repeatability is also important, as it demonstrates the camera’s ability to deliver the same rendering when shooting multiple images of the same scene.
For color, the image quality attributes analyzed are skin tone rendering, white balance, color shading, and repeatability. For the rendering of color and skin tone, we penalize unnatural colors but respect the manufacturer’s choice of the chromatic signature.
Google Pixel 6a: precise target exposure, wide dynamic range, loss of fine details, noise
Google Pixel 6: Precise target exposure, wide dynamic range, better detail and reduced noise
Apple iPhone SE (2022) – underexposure, loud noise
Google Pixel 6a – nice color and accurate skin tones, lack of fine detail on the subject, pretty good depth of field
Google Pixel 6: Beautiful color, accurate skin tones in almost any conditions, high level of detail, slightly shallow depth of field
Apple iPhone SE (2022): Sometimes inaccurate skin tones, high level of detail, excellent depth of field
Autofocus
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Asus smartphone for Snapdragon insiders
Asus smartphone for Snapdragon insiders
Autofocus tests focus on focus accuracy, focus repeatability, shutter lag and depth of field. The shutter lag is the difference between the time the user presses the capture button and the time the image is actually taken. It includes focus speed and the ability of the device to capture images at the right moment, what is called “zero shutter lag” capability. While shallow depth of field can be nice for a single-subject portrait or close-up, it can also be a problem in some specific conditions such as group portraits; Both situations are tested. Focus accuracy is also evaluated in all real-life images taken, from infinity to close-up objects and in low light to outdoor conditions.
Autofocus irregularity and speed: 1000Lux Δ0EV Daylight Handheld
This graph illustrates focus accuracy and speed as well as zero shutter lag capability, showing edge sharpness versus shutter speed measured on the AFHDR setting over a series of images. All photos were taken at 1000 Lux with the Daylight Highlighter, 500ms after blurring. Edge sharpness is measured on the four edges of the Dead Leaves graph and shutter speed is measured on the Universal Timer LED.
Structure
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Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi Mi 11
Texture tests analyze the level of detail and texture of subjects in images taken in the laboratory as well as in real-life scenarios. For natural shots, special attention is paid to the level of detail in the light and dark areas of the image. Objective measurements are performed on map images taken under various lighting conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different types of dynamic range conditions. The charts used are the proprietary SBMARK (DMC) chart and the Dead Leaves chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention score versus lux levels for tripod and handheld conditions
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention score with the lux level, for two retention conditions. The DMC detail retention score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
Noise
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Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture on real-life images and graphical images taken in the laboratory. For natural images, special attention is paid to noise on faces, landscapes, but also on dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Noise on moving objects is also evaluated on natural images. Objective measurements are performed on graphical images taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and different types of dynamic range conditions. The graph used is the Dead Leaves graph and standardized measurement such as visual noise derived from ISO 15739.
Evolution of visual noise with lighting levels in handheld condition
This graph shows the evolution of the visual noise metric with the lux level under portable conditions. The visual noise metric is the average of the visual noise measurement across all patches of the Dead Leaves chart in the AFHDR setting. SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.
Manufactured goods
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Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6
Artifact evaluation examines lens shading, chromatic aberrations, geometric distortion, edge ring, halos, ghosting, quantization, unexpected color tone variations, among other types of possible unnatural effects on photos. The more severe and frequent the artifact, the greater the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts observed and the corresponding point loss are listed below.
Main penalties for photographic artifacts
Preview
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
The preview tests analyze the image quality of the camera app image preview, with particular attention to the difference between capture and preview, especially with regards to dynamic range and application of the bokeh effect. The smoothness of exposure, color and focus adaptation are also evaluated when zooming from the minimum to the maximum available zoom factor. The preview frame rate is measured using the Universal Timer LED.
Preview: No bokeh effect applied to the image preview
Capture: Depth artifacts visible around the subject in bokeh mode
Enlarge
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Learn about SBMARK camera zoom tests
SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 400 test images in controlled laboratory environments and in outdoor, indoor and natural scenes in low light conditions, using default camera settings and zooming in at various zoom factors, from ultra wide angle at ultra-long range zoom. Assessment is done by visually inspecting images Cons a natural scene reference and making objective measurements of graphs captured in the lab under different conditions from 20 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300K to 6500K.
In terms of zoom, the Google Pixel 6a offers mixed results but is overall in line with the competition in its price range. The ultra-wide camera delivers good image quality on a par with the Google Pixel 6 Pro flagship phone. However, the lack of a dedicated camera means that the performance at medium- and long-range telephoto zoom is low, especially if compared to the 6 Pro, whose dedicated 4x tele is among the best we’ve tested for the long haul.
Wide
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These tests analyze the performance of the ultra-wide-angle camera at different focal lengths from 12mm to 20mm. All attributes of image quality are evaluated, with particular attention to artifacts such as chromatic aberrations, lens softness and distortion. The images below are an excerpt of tested scenes.
Google Pixel 6a, ultra-wide angle: precise exposure, pleasant colors, fairly good level of detail
Google Pixel 6, ultra-wide: almost identical image quality
Tele
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All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from about 40mm to 300mm, with a focus on texture and detail. The score is derived from a series of objective measurements in the laboratory and from the perceptual analysis of real-life images.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) zoom score for detail preservation for different zoom shots
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation zoom score with the focal length under outdoor conditions. The DMC detail retention score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) zoom score for detail preservation for different zoom shots
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation zoom score with the focal length under indoor conditions. The DMC detail retention score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) zoom score for detail preservation for different zoom shots
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation zoom score with focal length in low light conditions. The DMC detail retention score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
video
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
About SBMARK Camera Video Tests
SBMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 2.5 hours of video in controlled laboratory environments and natural low-light scenes, indoor and outdoor, using the camera’s default settings. The assessment consists of visually inspecting natural videos taken under various conditions and carrying out objective measurements on graphical videos recorded in the laboratory under different conditions from 1 to 1000 lux and color temperatures from 2300 to 6500 K.
In video mode, the Pixel 6a performs well and is very close to the 6 and 6 Pro in terms of exposure, color and stabilization. The results in these categories are excellent considering the price segment. On the downside, there’s a steep drop in detail from best-in-class. Our testers also noted an increase in perceived noise, especially in low-light scenes.
Google Pixel 6a vs High-End Video Scores
Video tests analyze the same image quality attributes as still images, such as exposure, color, texture, or noise, as well as temporal aspects such as speed, exposure uniformity and stability, white balance, and autofocus transitions.
Exposure
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Google Pixel 6a: precise exposure of the target
Google Pixel 6: precise exposure of the target
Apple iPhone SE (2022): Slight underexposure in some backlit scenes
Color
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Exposure tests evaluate the brightness of the main subject and the dynamic range, eg. the ability to make details visible in both light and dark areas of the image. The stability and temporal adaptation of exposure are also analyzed.
Image quality color analysis examines color rendition, skin tone rendition, white balance, color shading, white balance stability and its adaptation when the light changes.
Google Pixel 6a – beautiful color rendering
Google Pixel 6 – beautiful color rendering
Apple iPhone SE (2022) – beautiful color rendering
Structure
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Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
Consistency tests analyze the level of detail and texture of real-life videos, as well as graph videos recorded in the lab. Natural video recordings are evaluated visually, with particular attention to the level of detail in bright areas and dark areas. Objective measurements are performed on images of graphs taken under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The charts used are the SBMARK (DMC) chart and the Dead Leaves chart.
SBMARK CHART (DMC) detail retention video score versus lux levels
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail retention video score with the lux level in the video. The DMC detail retention score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and detail rendering on a selection of crops from our SBMARK chart.
Noise
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Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Noise tests analyze various noise attributes such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, texture, temporal aspects on real-life video recordings and graph videos taken in the laboratory. Natural videos are evaluated visually, with a focus on noise in dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on card videos recorded under various conditions from 1 to 1000 lux. The graph used is the SBMARK visual noise graph.
Spatial evolution of visual noise with the level of illuminance
This graph shows the evolution of spatial visual noise with the level of lux. Spatial visual noise is measured on the visual noise graph in the video noise setting. SBMARK visual noise measurement is derived from the ISO15739 standard.
Time evolution of visual noise with the level of illuminance
This graph shows the evolution of temporal visual noise with the level of lux. Visual temporal noise is measured on the visual noise graph in the video noise setting.
The stabilization assessment verifies the device’s ability to stabilize footage using software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any other means. The assessment examines residual motion, smoothness, yellow artifacts, and residual motion blur in walking and running use cases under various lighting conditions. The video below is an excerpt from one of the tested scenes.
Google Pixel 6a – good stabilization
Google Pixel 6 – similar stabilization
Apple iPhone SE (2022) – good stabilization
Manufactured goods
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Oppo Find X2 Pro
Oppo Find X2 Pro
Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ring measurements on the SFR graph in the laboratory, as well as frame rate measurements using the Universal Timer LED. Natural videos are visually evaluated with special attention paid to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, locking, and toning, among others. The more severe and frequent the artifact, the greater the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts and the corresponding point loss are listed below.
Main penalties for video artifacts
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