Category Archives: Astrophotography

November 11, 2022

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Which smartphone is best for photography?

Apple is obviously a huge name in the smartphone market, but in recent years, the Google Pixel range has garnered a great reputation for photography. But which is better? In this head-to-head we’ll be aiming to find out.

Both of the phones are capable of taking excellent photos, and both are two of the best smartphones for photographers you can buy.

The latest Pixel 7 Pro model is its most advanced model yet, offering a triple lens setup which is in many ways similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. In this piece we’ll be aiming to find out which of the two shapes up the best.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Camera specs

Both the iPhone 14 Pro and the Google Pixel 7 Pro have a triple lens setup – it’s the second time that the Pixel has included a third lens in its array, with the 6 Pro being the first Pixel with a triple lens setup.

That means you get a standard wide-angle (1x) lens for both models, joined by an ultra-wide-angle lens (0.5x) and a zoom lens (3x for the iPhone, 5x for the Pixel).

Behind the main lens for the iPhone is a 48 megapixel sensor, while the Pixel has a slightly higher resolution sensor at 50 megapixels.

The ultra-wide lenses on both models are paired with 12 megapixel sensors, with auto-focus (AF).

For the zoom lenses, you get a 48 megapixel sensor for the Pixel and a 5x telephoto reach, and just a 12MP device for the iPhone, with a 3x telephoto reach.

In terms of other lens specifications, the iPhone’s wide-angle lens is f/1.78 and features optical image stabilisation (OIS), the ultra wide is f/2.2, while the zoom lens is f/2.8 and again has optical image stabilisation.

For the Pixel, the wide angle lens is f/1.85 and it has both optical image stabilisation and electronic image stabilisation (EIS). The ultra wide is f/2.2, and the zoom lens is f/3.5 and again has both OIS and EIS.

Other camera-related specifications include 4K video at up to 60fps, slow-mo shooting and shallow depth of field in video effects – across both models.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Camera apps and shooting modes

Both the iPhone and Pixel have relatively fuss-free native camera apps. On the one hand, that’s good news if you want to concentrate on composition, but the simplicity is frustrating for advanced photographers who want to make changes to settings. Neither phone offers an “advanced” mode, though you can make settings to certain changes, and you can shoot in raw format with both models.

Low-light shooting is available through “Night Sight” mode on the Pixel, which is a selectable mode, while on the iPhone you get Night mode, but it only appears when the phone detects that the light is low. The Pixel also has an Astrophotography mode which can be used with a tripod or steady support.

As is pretty common for most smartphones, both have a Portrait mode which means you can create shallow depth-of-field effects with a range of subjects – not just humans.

New for the Pixel is a macro mode, which will automatically activate if the phone detects that it is close to a subject. You can choose to switch it off if you like at this point. The iPhone 14 Pro is the second iPhone to have macro mode, following on from the 13 Pro. It works in the same way as the Pixel’s – automatically activating in the right conditions, using the ultra-wide camera and cropping into the frame.

Both phones include video recording modes, with the iPhone having a separate “Cinematic” mode for creating shallow depth of field effects. The Pixel has a similar mode, which is also called “Cinematic”.

One mode that the Pixel has that the iPhone doesn’t is “Motion”, which allows you to create long exposures and panning shots directly in camera.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: General image quality

Comparing “general” images from both phones, taken in good light and across a variety of subjects reveals that image quality between the two is very similar. Looking at images on their phone screens gives the best view, but even looking at them on a computer screen shows that the two are very well matched.

If you’re someone who takes most of their smartphone photos in these conditions – i.e. day-to-day shots, then the Pixel 7 Pro certainly offers the better value for money for more or less the same output. If we’re being really picky, the 7 Pro seems to produce images which have a slightly more “HDR”-type effect which isn’t always attractive depending on your personal preferences. The Pixel 7 Pro also seems to produce slightly warmer results – which look attractive, but the iPhone’s shots are more realistic to the scene.

With the Pixel 7 Pro, you get a more flexible zoom, with up to 5x optical zoom available. Images taken with the Pixel 7 Pro’s 5x zoom (117mm equivalent) roughly match in quality the iPhone 14 Pro’s 3x offering (77mm) albeit without the same reach. Therefore, if you’re keen to have more zoom power, the Pixel 7 Pro is probably the better option.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Low light

Both of these smartphones have a dedicated low-light / night mode. We tested it with a very low light scene, to really push the limits of each device. Both put in a good performance, doing particularly well when using the main / 1x lens.

If you switch to the ultra-wide lens, details become a little fuzzier, but they both put in similar performances. There’s perhaps slightly more detail visible in the iPhone shot, but there’s not a lot in it. The Pixel 7 Pro is also more susceptible to lens flare.

The “2x” lens on both devices actually uses a crop of the main sensor. Both put in a decent performance at this focal length, with the Pixel perhaps having a touch more detail.

Again, when light is very low, the telephoto night mode uses a crop of the main sensor, for both phones. The results at 3x (iPhone) or 5x (Pixel), are not particularly pleasing, and it’s probably only something you’d want to use sparingly. When light is a little better (but still low enough to use Night mode), you do get better results.

It’s worth noting that the Pixel 7 Pro (and other Pixel phones in the series) offers an Astrophotography mode designed to help you capture stars, with particularly long exposures possible when using the phone on a tripod or other stable surface.

Overall, the two are pretty evenly matched here, and it’s hard to recommend one wholly other the other.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Macro

The macro modes for both phones automatically activate when you bring the device close to a subject.

Again here we can see that both phones put in a decent performance, with not an awful lot to separate out the two. If we examine very closely, we can see that there’s perhaps a tiny little bit more detail with the iPhone shot, but the Pixel’s shot is a little warmer. As this is a macro test, we’d probably prefer detail over warmth, but both are great for grabbing those close-up shots.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Portrait

Shallow depth-of-field effects have been a common staple among smartphones for quite a while now.

Both models put in a good performance here, creating a decent separation from the background. The iPhone lets you take portraits with a wider view, whilst the Pixel 7 Pro starts with a more cropped image, matching the 2x option on the iPhone. Results from this are similar, although the Pixel 7 Pro seems to have the edge slightly, particularly in detail on the subjects face.

However, the iPhone’s result is much more attractive when using the 3x option as it uses the telephoto camera. This appears to be about equivalent to using the Pixel’s 2x option in terms of cropping, but not quality, as the Pixel 7 Pro uses digital zoom for this.

With the iPhone, you also get the choice between 1x, 2x and 3x, making it a more flexible option for including more of the background view, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro doesn’t let you use the 5x telephoto camera for portraits. Both work well with both human and non-human subjects.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Video

We’ve got fairly similar video specifications between the two models here. Both offer up to 4K 60fps shooting, with no sign of the 8K found on models like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The iPhone gives you the option to also use “ProRes” video recording, which is available in 4K – but only if you have a 256GB or above model (you can shoot in ProRes at Full HD if you have a 128GB model).

There’s also Cinematic mode for both devices, which creates shallow depth of field effects in video. The iPhone’s looks more natural than the Pixel’s (which is easily confused), and it’s likely this will improve with future updates.

Both offer stabilised video options, which are useful if you’re trying to create video will moving – such as while jogging. Both also have slow-mo video, and other functions such as Time-lapse.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Screen and Design

With the iPhone you can opt for either the standard 14 Pro model (6.1-inch screen), or you can plump for the larger 14 Pro Max model (6.7-inch screen), which is the same size as the Pixel 7 Pro. The smaller of the two is better suited to those with smaller hands (or smaller pockets), and is also easier to use for day-to-day tasks like sending texts.

There’s no difference between the Pro and the Pro Max models when it comes to camera specifications.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 Pro is only available in that one size (unless you go for the smaller Pixel 7, which lacks some of the features of the 7 Pro). That’s ideal if you like a bigger screen, but perhaps less good news if you want something more compact. The Pixel 7 Pro has a higher resolution (3120 x 1440) than even the larger iPhone 14 Pro Max (2790 x 1290), but, if you place the two side by side, it’s not immediately obvious – they both look very good with vibrant and bright displays.

Although the Pixel 7 Pro has the same size screen as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, the actual phone itself is slightly larger, although it is very slightly narrower. Measuring up at 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9mm, it compares against 160.7 x 77.6 x 7.85mm for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Just to note that the standard iPhone 14 Pro measures up at 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.85mm.

The Pixel 7 Pro has a slightly sleeker look about it, with more rounded edges than the boxier appearance of the iPhone 14 Pro. Which you prefer is likely a matter of personal taste. Both phones are IP68 rated, which means that they can withstand dust and water. Both also have “tough” features like a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Screen (Pixel 7 Pro) or a Ceramic Shield Screen (iPhone 14 Pro).

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Battery Life and Capacity

Annoyingly, Apple does not like to disclose its official battery specifications, but we can gauge its performance by both its quoted battery life and real-world testing. Meanwhile, Google says the Pixel 7 Pro has a 5000 mAh battery. Looking at battery life quotes alone, we can see from these things that both the Pixel and the iPhone have pretty similar capabilities.

Apple says that the iPhone is good for 23 hours, or 29 hours (video playback) if you opt for the larger 14 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7 Pro’s battery life is quoted at 24 hours for video playback. In real-world usage, we’ve found that both the phones last a full day of “normal” usage, which includes not only taking pictures and video, but of course browsing the web, using apps and making calls etc. The Pixel 7 Pro also has the option to enable “Extreme Battery Saver”, which means your phone can last up to 72 hours, but means you lose certain features.

Both of the models offer fast charging and wireless charging with compatible chargers. Neither provide a charging plug in the box, but both do come with USB cables.

Neither of these phones give you the option to expand your capacity once you’ve bought the phone. If you think you’re going to need a lot, you’ll need to pay for it at the point of purchase. The base amount of storage for both models is 128GB, which rises to 512GB for the Pixel 7 Pro, and 1TB for the iPhone 14 Pro. At the time of writing, it doesn’t seem like the 512GB version of the Pixel 7 Pro is available to buy in the UK.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Price

One of the best things about the Pixel 7 Pro is that it’s available at a reasonable price, especially for a flagship model. UK pricing is £849 for the 128GB model, rising to £949 for the 256GB version.

If we compare that with the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which is £1,149 for the 128GB, or £1,309 for the 256GB, there’s quite a price disparity – and you don’t seem to get too much more for your money (apart from the Apple name). The smaller iPhone 14 Pro is a little cheaper, starting at £1,099 for the 128GB version, and £1,209 for the 256GB version, but it’s still a hefty chunk of change.

For those looking for a class-leading smartphone, but without the massive budget to back it up, the Pixel 7 Pro is certainly better for your finances.

iPhone 14 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: Verdict

There’s plenty of excellent features with both smartphones, and both produce great pictures and video in a variety of different situations.

If we had to choose one, then the iPhone 14 Pro probably edges it just slightly, giving better Portrait results, and slightly better Night time results. Then again, the Pixel has better zooming capabilities. It’s certainly true that the iPhone isn’t better enough to warrant the extra outlay – especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Overall, the two are pretty evenly matched in almost every respect. If you prefer iOS, then you might want to consider one of the older Apple models to save cash, but if you’re not fixed to Apple, then the Pixel 7 Pro is the smart choice.

Read our Google Pixel 7 Pro review
Read our iPhone 14 Pro review

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iPhone 14 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
iPhone 14 Pro vs iPhone 13 Pro Compared

For even more options have a look at our guide to the best smartphones for photography.

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We love a good 24-70mm lens and the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM is a shining example. Versatile, compact, and usually quite light, they’re probably the most essential piece of glass you’ll carry in your camera bag. Canon’s premium RF version of the standard 24-70mm focal length lens has the ability to shoot wider maximum apertures at up to f/2.8. We think it’s one of the best lenses for astrophotography you can buy, and if you own a Canon mirrorless camera it’s a brilliant lens for almost all situations. While astro purists will want something a little wider and a little faster, (maybe a 20mm with f/1.8 or even f/1.4,) this well-rounded lens will perform most nighttime photo tasks perfectly.

While many 24-70mm lenses across manufacturers are of a similar standard in terms of image quality, the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM actually has a slight edge over direct competitors because it’s a touch smaller. It’s slimmer than the Nikon equivalent, for example, if ever so slightly heavier. As for the cost, though? Well, a quality 24-70mm lens with a max aperture of f/2.8 is always going to cost you more than $2000. The Canon currently weighs in at $2300 with most retailers.

© Provided by WJLA – Washington D.C.

A hybrid solar eclipse is a very rare and strange astronomical event — and there’s one coming soon on April 20, 2023.

Talk to most eclipse-chasers and they’ll tell you that there are three types of solar eclipse. The first is a partial eclipse of the most common and the least impressive because the moon merely blocks out part of the sun sending a shadow — the penumbra — across a swathe of Earth.The second is an annular solar eclipse, where the moon blocks out the center of the sun, but leaves a circle of light from the sun visible from within a shadow called the antumbra. It’s often called a “ring of fire”. The third is a total solar eclipse where the entirety of the sun’s disc is blocked by the moon, revealing the spectacular sight of the solar corona, which can be viewed with the naked eye from within the moon’s dark shadow, the umbra. 

Star trails are relatively simple to do yet produce very striking results, especially when centred around the north or south celestial poles.

These images capture the movement of Earth as it rotates on its axis, producing star trails that are comprised of fragments of concentric rings.

If you are in the polar regions during the winter and have clear, dark skies for 24 hours, the trails will form complete circles, including the pole star Polaris – also known as the North Star – because it is not perfectly aligned with the celestial pole.

However, you don’t need 24 hours of darkness to create a 24-hour star trails image.

The above image was captured from the UK, and is effectively a 24-hour star trails image.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how we did it.

For more advice, read our guide on how to use a DSLR camera or our beginner’s guide to astrophotography.

What is a 24-hour star trails image?

Most of us will never experience a polar winter, but it is still possible to create a 24-hour star trail photograph by merging together a stack of many images taken with the same setup, from exactly the same spot, on different nights throughout the year.

Although taking a star trail image on a single night is straightforward, replicating it exactly on multiple dates, then merging them together successfully, is the challenge here.

First, the camera location must be identical.

We placed marks on the ground to ensure the tripod was in exactly the same spot, but attaching the camera to a fixed structure would be even better.

Focus must also be the same, otherwise the width of the star trails will differ, and they won’t line up perfectly.

Circumpolar star trails can be created under moonlight, but doing so will affect the fainter stars, so try to ensure the Moon’s brightness – its phase – is consistent between sessions.

Also, when you blend your final stacked images, the overlapping regions will be brighter, so only stack what’s necessary to complete the full circle.

Pick your foreground wisely

Another consideration is the foreground. It’s important to have something in the foreground for context and scale.

I had a large tree in mine, which grew during the year and then required an extra layer-masking step at the end to compensate for the different tree size.

You might want to opt for a non-organic foreground object!

Choose some potential imaging dates that are spread across the whole year and if you have a clear sky forecast, be ready on those nights (for help, read our guide to weather forecasting for astronomy).

I took images on seven nights during the year, but only used the photos taken in February, April, July and November.

During the winter months you will have many more hours of imaging available to you, but in the summer you need to grab every minute of darkness.

If thin cloud moves through your field of view, don’t worry; the stars will still shine through.

Issues such as aircraft lights can be omitted from the image stack by using a program called StarStaX, which can fill the gaps.

Before you attempt to merge the stacked images, adjust the brightness and colour balance to make them as similar to each other as possible.

You may also have to apply a lens distortion correction to successfully line up the images. But all this effort is well worth it for the end result.

What you’ll need

• A DSLR camera with a widefield lens and a high-power battery or mains power lead
• A remote shutter release cable that locks in place
• A sturdy tripod
• A dew heater to prevent the lens from fogging up during long imaging sessions
• Software for image stacking and processing, eg StarStaX for stacking, and Photoshop or GIMP for merging and processing the stacked images

Create a 24-hour star trails image, step-by-step