You may be wondering what exactly makes the Pixel 4a's camera so impressive. Compared to its predecessor, it uses the same Sony IMX363 sensor and lacks any additional hardware. However, beyond excellent image processing, Google has introduced several new features since the release of the Pixel 3a last year.

The recent enhancements in the Google Camera app, along with improvements specific to the Pixel 4a, have significantly elevated its photography capabilities, helping Google's camera stand out from the competition. Below is a brief overview of these features to help you understand their impact.

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1. Live HDR

With the Pixel 3a, the viewfinder did not display the effects of Google's HDR processing until after the photo was saved, meaning you had to trust that the over- or underexposed preview would turn out well in the final image.

Thanks to a new machine learning algorithm called HDRnet, this issue is resolved on the Pixel 4a. What you see in the viewfinder is now the final image, complete with HDR enhancements applied in real time.

Google AI Blog2. Dual Exposure

Most smartphones only offer a single exposure slider for adjusting brightness. But if you're passionate about photography, you know that's often insufficient—so Google added a second one.

The Pixel 4a introduces two sliders: "Brightness" and "Shadows." The "Brightness" slider functions like a traditional exposure control, while the "Shadows" slider affects only darker areas of the image. This allows you to enhance shadow detail or darken them further for dramatic effects like silhouettes.

3. Night Sight 2.0

In 2018, Google launched Night Sight, a groundbreaking feature that made high-quality night photography possible on phones. With the Pixel 4a, you get Night Sight 2.0—an improved version that supports longer exposure times during capture and enhanced machine learning in post-processing, preserving color accuracy while revealing even the darkest details.

Google AI Blog4. Frequent Faces

Top Shot and Motion Photos typically capture multiple images when you tap the shutter button. A new feature called Frequent Faces enhances these modes by prioritizing people you frequently photograph.

For example, if your child appears in a group photo, Top Shot will suggest the best frame—such as the one where they’re smiling or have their eyes open. Importantly, all facial recognition data is stored locally on the device and never sent to the cloud or accessed by Google.

5. Framing Hints

Not everyone is a photography expert. Framing Hints helps you take better pictures by analyzing millions of images Google has trained its system on. It might suggest stepping back if your subject is too close or raising the camera if you're taking a low-angle selfie, among other tips.

6. Level Indicator

Few things are more frustrating than realizing after the fact that a photo is crooked. When "Framing Hints" is enabled, a level indicator appears if you're shooting a straight horizontal subject. Use this visual guide to ensure your shot is perfectly aligned.

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7. Scan Documents

Place a document or business card within the viewfinder, then tap the "Scan document" button when it appears. The camera will automatically crop the image to the edges of the document, straighten it, and increase contrast to mimic a scanned copy. You can also convert the result into a PDF for further editing.

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8. Social Share

When you first use the Pixel 4a's camera, you’ll be prompted to enable a feature called Social Share. If you skipped this step, you can manually activate it by tapping the down arrow in the viewfinder and navigating to "Settings."

Once enabled, every time you take a photo, an upward-facing arrow will appear on the preview thumbnail. Tapping or swiping up on this thumbnail instantly displays a list of social media and messaging apps, allowing you to share your photo in seconds.

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Cover image and screenshots by Jon Knight/Gadget Hacks

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