Google Pixel 5A - A Photographer's Review

[@AndrewHahaLee]

Love these kinds of in depth image analysis, aside from the usual thumbnail reviewers giving full-praises to every product they review.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! Yeah when viewing images in full, most will look good. But zooming in and pixel peeping is where you can really see the details and differences between the devices

[@Andesu]

What a great review! I have the Pixel 5, but now I can comfortably recommend the 5a to family and friends who don't mind the lack of manual camera controls.

[@Patliputra_Samudragupta]

Trust me bro. Google phones are like love it or hate it. But honestly camera picture quality is neck to neck with iphone even better

[@deankaltsas]

. Much better than the iPhone... Maybe a picture or two yes .. But overall... The pixel wins in my opinion

[@prshant_002]

@@deankaltsas ya, iPhone pics are too saturated.

[@jaysinghh_]

@@deankaltsas Iphone fanboys that's illegal 🤣

[@deankaltsas]

No way..... They're good. But not hands down better. And they took a lot of years to get there while they kept saying they were the best. Only the latest model can complete. Let's see what happens with the new pixel 6 pro. After all the pixel has been using the same camera module for like 4 years....

[@deankaltsas]

@Angella Jarvis kidding about what?

[@jackyvivid]

Absolute dream phone, with minimal design and best camera.

[@kamezu]

Being a hobbyist photographer, loved the review. Side note though: What use is a new device launch if you cannot purchase it in most countries?!

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! And yeah the limited release really sucks :(

[@NowKissMyChucks]

Those countries weren't their main concern lol

[@CeeMeeNYC]

I agree with Abhijit 👆. This review was informative and enjoyable. You calm steady voice is relaxing and allows one to enjoy the images without jarring commentary. Subscribed ✅ Liked 👍🏽 and commented ✍🏽

[@wanderlust...H]

@@NowKissMyChucks because they don't know how big a market India is. And that's ok. We got, made in India iPhones 👍

[@ayushsharma7998]

Now that is how you do a camera review. First time viewer, loved the content

[@azvisuals]

Awesome, thank you!

[@tenmaunomiya8592]

Google king of camera quality ... iphone king of videography

[@rashad.ahamed]

This is how a photographic review should be... Great ❤️

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for watching!

[@josephbarney4523]

Great analysis and as a former techie I wanna add the reason there's no pro mode/manual controls is Google can only accomplish those great photos through computational algorithms. The cameras are the same ones used since the Pixel 2 and if you had a Pro mode it would look terrible anyway, unless they combined pro mode with computational photography and then it would look great. Yeah, that would work. I liked and subscribed.

[@Mclellon]

Been on the pixel XL for 5 years. Just preordered the 5A. Looking forward to the upgrade

[@rohitahaha5]

been using pixel 1 since the launch, the camera is still a beast.

[@flowergirl3728]

Hey..are you happy with the mobile? I'm considering the 5a too..

[@williamsolis1]

I really liked this video, I highly agree on a pro mode for the Pixel series. I have the 4a5G and a Sony A7III and it bothers me when I want to set certain things the way I would on my ILC but my phone doesn't have that option. Also not having AF/AE separate bothers me for panning video shots. Sept 13 is meant to be the phone announcement date so let's see. The computational RAW is so damn good though. I really appreciate it. It's the only thing that negates my annoyance with no customisable White Balance.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for your thoughts! I also have an A7III and I agree no manual control really sucks sometimes, but yeah the computational photography is surprisingly clean. Let's see what the Pixel 6 series holds!

[@seatown8305]

Great review! I got it for my girlfriend. Updating/trading in Galaxy S9, and this phone was checking all the boxes for her criteria: Didn't want a flagship, a good camera, and has a headphone jack. She uses Bluetooth of course but if it has an option for headphone jack, it's a bonus. When I saw this was available I was in because it's stock Android, I like the 3 years of updates (but we may end up trading it in before the 3rd because these dern phones are improving year-to-year), and I've heard nothing but good things about the camera for pixels, and although this is a mid tier phone, the camera will be just fine for what she'll be using it for when it comes to no fuss Video Calls/chats and point-and-shoot pictures. But, def subbed to your channel and look forward to your other content.

[@azvisuals]

Hey thanks for your input! It looks like this phone really does check the boxes. Hope she likes it!

[@msulima33]

One of the greatest review of Pixel 5a. As a user of Pixel 5 I don't see any reason to switch my device to 5a but still P5a rocks.

[@feydanmedia]

Google starting to do real improvement now to especially with their cameras

[@azvisuals]

Yeah they are usually good about software updates so hopefully it can only get better

[@sakifshadman4204]

Love form Bangladesh 🇧🇩 really nice & organized review ❤️

[@ibetoswu3494]

Imagine Google sending this guy their latest pixel 5a phone to test their hyped up camera features just to be told in the end "PERSONALLY I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS PHONE" 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@azvisuals]

Lmaooo!! I mean I need to be honest in the video. I wouldn't recommend it if pro mode is important. And I know a lot of people are trying to learn pro mode on their devices to understand the exposure triangle. But the majority of people will just point and shoot, and let the computational photography process the image so in that case I still do recommend it

[@ibetoswu3494]

@Alex Zhang 😅🤣much appreciate your honesty... google pixel being a camera focused phone and not including key pro mode features is a disappointment. Its a 50/50 recommendation. Also thank you for your confirmation 🤣😂🤣🤣 (not available in my country is another disappointment but loving your review)

[@azvisuals]

@@ibetoswu3494 thanks! Providing honest content is both valuable to consumers as well as the company to hope they can improve on the next generation devices

[@Sally32669]

Ikr?? Hahaha. I think it's a great overall phone and camera but it's good to know whether or not it will have pro mode. It's become something I automatically expect from newer phones.

[@Sana-np1my]

@@azvisuals are you willing to sell the phone, i really want it

[@jhasaketansahoo5021]

One of the greatest reviewer i have ever seen you earned a new subscriber 😊😊😊

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for the kind words!! Really appreciate it

[@ed-schramm]

your voice sounds so smooth and clear, it really makes watching the video so much easier.

[@azvisuals]

Thank you! I try to keep it relaxed and clear to deliver the information

[@arjunmp5256]

If this is released in India. I will definitely buy it.

[@azvisuals]

Yeah the limited release sucks :(

[@tanushbhatt1419]

Tip: if you want a 'pro mode' the astrophotography is a decent substitute for non star pics like car light trails and such.

[@dbjungle]

Also, your video is the first one that shows how green this phone actually is. Some reviewers have mentioned it, but none show it this well.

[@azvisuals]

Yeah my unit def looks really green. Like plant green. Nowhere near black

[@dbjungle]

@@azvisuals another reviewer said it was mostly black but definitely green 😂

[@trtabb2225]

Good review. Great to hear a photographer perspective on a phone camera. Did you try using one of the other photo/camera apps? Wonder if something like Camera FV5 would give you full manual control? I have yet to use a Pixel but did install GCam for my LG V30. The LG had full manual control, raw files etc but I found in any landscape situation that the GCam shot was better than the LG manual control and raw could get.

[@azvisuals]

Yeah you can use third party apps, but then you lose the magic of the google processing so it's a tradeoff. Like I said in the video 99% of the time taking a photo in auto will come out better anyway, it's just that sometimes you really do need manual contorls

[@trtabb2225]

@@azvisuals agree that sometimes you want manual control. Since my LG V30 was on Sprint I have to get a new device and went and ordered the 5A. Looking forward to testing it out and seeing what the camera does compared to my LG. I know the 6 is coming this fall but I am afraid of potential supply chain issues might delay it, the rumors of a premium price also make me think $1000+ price. So 5A it is!

[@azvisuals]

@@trtabb2225 yeah the rumors make it sound like the 6 will be a lot more expensive :( I'm excited to see what they come out with though!

[@johnjingleheimersmith9259]

Sooo it sounds like you *didn't* use a manual cam app? I think it's always been this way with G cam app, it's for casual users, not pro photogs

[@alexklein455]

@@trtabb2225 I just went from a V30 to a Pixel 5. Same camera as the 5a with better auto focus. Huge camera upgrade.

[@JoloNavarro]

Really great in-depth review of the cameras of the Pixel 5A! ❤️

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for watching!

[@Sk0die]

Just ordered myself a 5a 5G, and this video was majority of the reason! It will be a huge step up from my crappy $150 nokia but for that camera performance I can jusity the upgrade. I've found myself drifting away from photograghy as its too much hasle for me nowdays to take my mirrorless with me most of the time. They do always say the best camera is the one you have with you.

[@azvisuals]

thanks for watching! and yeah I agree...find myself not wanting to go out and shoot because of the hassle of lugging around a huge camera. But no matter how good phone cameras get, some shots just can't be taken on a small sensor

[@Sk0die]

@@azvisuals Yes thats very true, I don't intend to replace my mirrorless with the 5a. I simply need a better daily camera with a well designed phone to go with it. Now I just have to wait 2 weeks for it to get here!

[@kpehe100]

It got me thinking, do we really need a 1,000 dollars phone?

[@azvisuals]

Yeah exactly! If course, there are some pros and cons with every device but honestly mid range devices are so capable now

[@SerbyWafflesTech]

This is the pixel to buy. Form factor is excellent. Ip 68 rating. Excellent cameras.

[@klotzey]

love it how most reviewers are like "it's 450 bucks... thats 50 bucks less than the last one!" .. no its not. it's 100 more than the last one. it's 2021 - 5G is no "new feature" - it's a feature that has to be in a device. anyhow - great video!

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for watching! I never said it was 50 bucks less. I just said that for the price point, you are getting a good value with stock android, reputable manufacture, fast updates, and all of google's machine learning capabilities.

[@klotzey]

@@azvisuals this part wasn't about you and if so I would have used it to show you're not making that assumption. Sorry if I didn't make that point clear 😁

[@azvisuals]

@@klotzey gotcha no worries! I just try to make everything as clear as possible so everyone has the correct info!

[@JapaneseLanguageMentor]

I'm not really a photographer, but I think I appreciate an in-depth critical view with minimal shouting much more than the average review. Nice job!

[@nilte404]

I absolutely love your videos! as always, great analysis! say hi to brazill 💜

[@azvisuals]

Appreciate the love!

[@derdiedasderdiedas6391]

I bought it from Germany and I'm super excited

[@azvisuals]

nice! enjoy it

[@kellenwong]

You are the only reviewer who showed the real color of 5A. Nice job!!!

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! It's really hard to capture on camera

[@NiyarNok]

Thanks a lot for your info, sample pics. Since the price in Thailand are lower a lot than before. I would go for it tmr. Pixel 5a!

[@achowda1]

Good review bro. Fellow pixel user

[@azvisuals]

Thanks!

[@TheTuareg]

"You can't see the trees, but they are there!" That's my comment about my P5a picture to my friends while taking pictures at night

[@joelconolly5574]

Unpopular opinion, telephoto has been severely underrated and should be part of the trio camera array to many smartphones. I'd say the Pixel 6 should have either a newer high MP main sensor or a telephoto lens with updated main sensor.

[@dbaboun]

Pixel 6 will have a new main camera sensor + a ultra wide lens. Pixel 6 Pro will be the same + a 4x telephoto lens

[@joelconolly5574]

@@dbaboun sorry I meant the 6a

[@azvisuals]

Yeah exactly my thoughts. Ultrawide is awesome and you can get some really creative shots with it but most times I like to zoom a bit to get some compression or to isolate a subject and need a telephoto for that

[@ArnabBhattacharyya49]

If you get an next update of camera improvements pls make another video.

[@aterix]

Fantastic review. Loved the in-depth zooms to point out noise, edges and focus.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! Yeah zooming in really reveals details that you wouldn't be able to see when looking at the whole thing

[@robinribon1317]

Best phone camera review so far. I am listening and just subscribed. Awesome content. Keep it up!

[@SirBrentsworth]

Great review! Love to get a photographers perspective on this phone.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for watching!

[@augustinemlowoka9371]

My pixel 5A arriving tommorow. cant wait. Skipped the pixel 6 seems an experimental device

[@azvisuals]

Nice! 5a seems to have less bugs for sure

[@harryjamespotter9437]

Does pixel 5A have astrophotography mode?

[@kimberlynguyen124]

Do you have an IG or any website where we can check out your photography? Love the vid, man. Good stuff.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! Yeah my IG is @az.visuals thanks for the support

[@mattdecandia9607]

Switched to Google with 4xl now have the 5 after 10 iPhone I'll never go back pixal is by fare the best experience imo. Glad I clicked great job on the review . ( still gonna buy the 5a though)

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for your input! Appreciate the support

[@Eazidosit]

Dslr cameras over heat recording 4k. Most stop 4k at 30n minutes.b Google stock camera has iso and exposure sliders. You have to tap on dslr cameras to refocus sometime. Google cameras work like a dslr shutter priority mode.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for your feedback! I will try it out in further tests

[@riowinaryo18_86]

Thanks for this neat video all the best buddy. I can't wait for you to review pixel 6.

[@Dull160]

hey! great video as always, giving attention to smartphones like this from a real photographers view

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dull160]

@@azvisuals np! cant wait to see your next video!

[@kyangsable]

Just order the phone. Hope your channel grows. Just sub

[@azvisuals]

Thanks!

[@KevinCollins0]

Very informative! First time watching your content! Looking forward to more! I already preordered because I'll be upgrading from a 4a,and 5g is now in my area. Looking to find more analysis on the photo aspect of phones. Thanks!

[@azvisuals]

Awesome, thanks! I'm glad you found the content valuable.

[@nothingmuch6666]

Very nice review, man. Felt like something produced by a 100K+ sub channel. Keep it up and I'm sure it will be something produced by a 100K+ sub channel. Small note: IP67 = IP Six Seven not IP Sixty Seven. Very important distinction as it's not a single rating. The 6 and 7 refer to dust and water ingress protection, respectively.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes you are correct it's IP 6,7 with two separate ratings. I just read it together like 67, but I'll correct it in future videos!

[@nothingmuch6666]

@@azvisuals Yeah, understandable. It's much easier to say 67, rather than 6, 7, and most people only care about the water resistance rating anyway, so it's probably not a big deal to most. However, I still think it's important for reviewers to try and make it clear that they're separate ratings, so consumers are less likely to think IPX7 is less water resistant than IP67, or something like that. Have a great day/night man!

[@azvisuals]

@@nothingmuch6666 yes you are def right, the distinction does make matter especially as a reviewer!

[@akmalhakim323]

Hi Alex, can you check on your link for your gears? The links does not bring me to the specific gear.

[@azvisuals]

Thank you for letting me know. They should be fixed now!

[@akmalhakim323]

@@azvisuals Nice! Thank you sir

[@neiljohn3702]

Thinking of buying one, this is a really great review, thank you so much!

[@albertsennehmansaray1359]

Thanks. I’m planning on buying one this week and your video helps

[@azvisuals]

That's awesome! Thanks for watching

[@1947froggy]

Good review, I bought one, happy so far. :) I add my favorite pro camera app.

[@azvisuals]

Awesome! Which app do you use? Would love to hear your feedback

[@1947froggy]

@@azvisuals Disclosure: I'm not a "real" photographer. I shoot YT videos, "Do it Yourself" stuff to help folks save money, a lot of automotive, not "artistic" at all. But I do use Cinema FV-5 Lite (for videos). It's out of date for later android versions but still offers more control over settings. YOU might do a nice video comparing 3rd party apps for camera & video. For newer android phone/cameras. This app has a "pro(er)" pay version. As you know most of the pay versions are very low cost & a bit better featured than the free one. Thanks, Subbed.

[@movie_plaza_5640]

Best photography review 🔥

[@amaravathisiddarth9769]

I tried to do panning shot on my pixel 3....I turned on the nightsight and clicked on the shutter button and I moved the phone with the speed of the object while the night shutter still works on..... Though there are few noise issues, it works

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for your feedback about that. I will try it out next time!

[@arafathussain6123]

As always amazing video!

[@azvisuals]

Hey thanks for the kind words!

[@GrinchenkoAA]

Your choiсe: ultrawide or normal 50mm? Why use an ultra-wide lens in everyday life?

[@azvisuals]

Great question! I think a normal lens like 35 or 50mm is best for every day shots. However, the ultrawide really comes in handy for more dramatic angles or tight spots like in a cafe or narrow alleyway

[@hawjiang5349]

5a has remove PDAF, it might affect on low light focus performance. I receive message said 5a has overheating during 4k 60 fps. I intentionally to record 4k 60fps over 30 minutes, 4a 5G is still a solid phone without that kind of problem.

[@azvisuals]

Wow that's awesome! Thanks for your input

[@ah.pranto3531]

Pixel camera always mind blowing.

[@cribbsprojects]

Nice to see Chinatown! NYC...

[@seemarana1326]

Nice review. Processing is only thing which doesn't depend on pixels.

[@AS-WIN]

This really interesting to forward for pixel 6 series!

[@rohitahaha5]

love the content you make

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for the support!

[@santohasib1360]

Can you please create a video for editing those pics? Those were amazing pics

[@ssaini5028]

Your camera review puts leaders of the community like Dieter from The Verge to shame

[@Sally32669]

Now I feel like I have to go watch a Dieter review to compare

[@azvisuals]

Haha thanks! I am still learning and growing. Hope to put out better content soon

[@schrodinger1811]

Subbed you for you in depth analysis and review of camera of smartphones. Looking forward for much hyped pixel 6/6 pro

[@Eazidosit]

You do know you can use Adobe raw camera right? Manuel camera as well

[@azvisuals]

Yes thanks for the tip! However with third party apps you lose the amazing computational photography from Pixels

[@simone.9861]

Keep in mind that there are many 3rd party apps for pro camera mode. Sono of them are free and some are premium

[@eig1979]

I'm getting the Pixel 6 Pro, upgrading from a Pixel 4 XL.

[@azvisuals]

Nice! That will be an awesome upgrade

[@eig1979]

@@azvisuals long time coming. I couldn't justify buying the Pixel 5, to replace my 4XL. I was waiting to see what Google was going to do. I was strongly thinking about going with a OnePlus device.

[@EMPERORakshaypatil]

Please try using third party camera app like manual camera or open camera and see if it supports long exposure upto 30 sec or not

[@LukmanHakim-rz5df]

What a Good Video Sir! Nice editing, ambiance, mic, content, everything is good!

[@azvisuals]

Appreciate the kind words! Thanks

[@TherealWOJT3K]

With that kinda logics. You've earned yaself a new subscriber 👍🏽

[@azvisuals]

Appreciate you!

[@TherealWOJT3K]

@@azvisuals most welcome bro

[@Pokemanic33]

Is there any benefit to using a third party camera app? I use OpenCamera on my current phone and it gives a lot more control - maybe not fully manual, but a lot more than any stock app I've ever seen. Is there just a hardware limit on how much you can take control of?

[@vickyverma5572]

Do you consider pixel 4a to be a photographer's delight. As in our country, that's what is available of Google in pixel series

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for watching. Yeah it sucks the 5a isn't available in most countries :(

[@leluchi]

Great video, I just subscribed to your channel! ^^

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for the support!!

[@SaiKumar-vz9kc]

Badly wanted it to be released in india ..

[@christianash8151]

Idk why they would take off the laser auto focus

[@nazmulhuda3262.]

Savings🤷🏼‍♂️

[@kensg]

Nice review Alex 👍🏿

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! 👍

[@deng7605]

I have the same problem with blurriness on my pixel 4a 5g. Btw, great video!

[@azvisuals]

Thanks for your input! Hopefully they can improve it with software updates

[@sumitsarkar147]

If people use Google phone as a daily drive then they don't need to carry any professional camera's. Pixel 5a 5g is one of the awaiting device for me as a daily drive. Hope very soon google lunch this special device in Indian🇮🇳 Market.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! Yeah I agree, they need to launch in more markets

[@TheSarcasticClown]

Wow..it deserves more views

[@charlieg9370]

I see you rockin the acne studios 👏

[@azvisuals]

👌👌

[@varunbansal7242]

Alex Zhang - Hi mate, first of all great review. I'm planning to buy one, however I'm a bit skeptical on the same as the recent reviews suggest that there are heating issues while recording the video in 4k 60 fps. So just wanted to know did you find any heating issues in general while operating the camera or handset Also can you please name what's that background music in the video. Thanks.

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! The device does overheat around 10min when recording in warm/hot weather. But in normal use I didn't notice it since I don't usually record clips that long.

[@SanyaButcher]

Please, upload your pixel photos at any cloud. I'm impressed with that photo's. By the way, nice video. Glad to hear review about Google pixel camera from photographer

[@MathieuTechMoto]

Love the pixel peeping !

[@rohitavachat497]

Really disappointed to know there's no pro mode. Does Pixel 4a come with it? I'm considering these two phones but was inclined towards 5a as it is a newer model and comes with IP67 protection.

[@azvisuals]

No I don't think any pixels have pro mode unfortunately

[@AdobadoFantastico]

Can't you install a different camera app that makes manual camera controls accessible?

[@agatho00]

I guess you can. Camera FV-5 seems to mimic the dslr settings.

[@marconiki6302]

I can't believe there are overheating....can you test when you use GPS if it's overheating? Thanks

[@earnistse4899]

It will be fixed in update

[@azvisuals]

Using gps won't overheat the device, but if you are recording 4k video and using gps then it will.

[@RodnoyJohn]

Can you please tell me which program you used to process the photos?

[@azvisuals]

On mobile, I use snapseed. On desktop, I use lightroom and photoshop. I have an older video about my mobile editing process

[@RodnoyJohn]

@@azvisuals Thank you for telling me) it just turns out very cool!

[@sDuAvTaTjAe]

I either always take hdr photos or go straight for the manual mode (in my Poco phone)

[@azvisuals]

Nice! Thanks for your input

[@taramtaga9422]

I love photoshoot what phone should I take i am confused

[@benpalmer616]

Thanks for the awesome video! How is the phone for close-up or macro photos?? Thanks!

[@justsomerandompeople4353]

I hope you can make review about the xperia 1 iii i really2 want to see your review about this phone and experience of it in photography and videography

[@azvisuals]

Thanks! I would love to, it looks like an awesome device and I use to always buy xperia phones. However I don't have access to test it at this point :( maybe in the future!

[@abhilashkalliparambil3807]

Google pixel 5A is good ?? Here available in online sites on japan spec? Is there any difference between US & Japan model??

[@azvisuals]

Not sure if it's different specs for different regions. I don't think so but honestly not sure.

[@catraadora2649]

I think you can't turn off the camera shutter sound on the Japan model, but you can in the US model.

[@parinyal6501]

Which one you prefer? S21 or Pixel 5A?

[@azvisuals]

I'm working on a comparison video right now actually, so stay tuned for the video

[@Shivampandey29019]

Love this beauty ❣️

[@kenduejones]

Great review

[@nirajsingh-bs2fi]

Camera looking promising as well as your review 🔥

[@azvisuals]

Appreciate it!

[@truthtimetv4575]

i feel like the overheating while video will be addressed when android 12 comes, no? otherwise idk why they wouldnt have rolled out an update by now to fix that like they have in the past

[@farhanfirdaus8342]

Your preset on 5:04 looks amazing! May I know where can I get it/buy your preset? Thanks!

[@azvisuals]

Hey thanks! I'm still working on the presets. Still testing and adjusting them to make sure they work across different devices. I will put a video out once they are released!

[@omarhussain6127]

how can i get your presets ?

[@azvisuals]

I'm still working on them! Just want to make sure they are compatible across multiple devices. Will post a new video once they are out