Google Pixel 2 gets highest score on DxOMark with just one main camera

The Google Pixel 2 has wrestled back its title of the highest rated smartphone camera by DxOMark Mobile. Their first generation Pixel had blown away the competition last year with a score of 89. It was the highest rated smartphone until the HTC U11, iPhone 8/8Plus and Galaxy Note8 came along.

As of yesterday, the iPhone 8 Plus and Galaxy Note8 were the top rated smartphone cameras with a score of 94. Now both of these dual-camera flagships are overtaken by the Pixel 2’s new high-score of 98.

Unlike other new flagship cameras with two cameras at the back, the Pixel 2 uses a single 12MP f/1.8 main camera with an 1/2.6″ sensor. It has dual-pixel AutoFocus and comes assisted with Optical Image Stabilisation.

What’s interesting is that despite having just one main camera, the Pixel 2 is capable of doing portrait mode for both front and rear cameras. Instead of using a secondary lens at the rear, the Pixel 2 uses its “secondary pixel” in its dual-pixel setup to collect data in order to differentiate the foreground and background to create bokehlicious effects. It’s worth pointing out that the front camera isn’t a dual-pixel AF shooter but it is still capable of doing portrait mode as well. However, with its single-camera, the Pixel 2 loses out when it comes to zoom.

Overall, in the photography department, the Pixel 2 gets 99 points which is higher than the iPhone 8 Plus but it is a point lower than the Galaxy Note8. The biggest booster for the Pixel 2 is its video capabilities. Utilising both OIS and EIS, it boasts great video stabilisation along with fast and accurate autofocus with good subject tracking. Noise reduction for video seems to be a key advantage for the Pixel 2.

While the Galaxy Note8 and iPhone 8 Plus get 84 and 89 points for video, the Pixel 2 scored an impressive 96 in the video department. You can read the full Pixel 2 camera review over here.

For your referernce, below are the DxOMark score breakdown for the Pixel 2, Galaxy Note8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

What do you guys think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.