Google Camera update brings Night Sight mode to Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, and older Pixel phones

Google has rolled out a new update for its Camera app that adds the much awaited Night Sight lowlight photography mode to the Pixel range of phones. If you have a Pixel phone — right from the original Pixel and Pixel XL to the latest Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL — then you can try out the feature by simply updating the preinstalled Camera app from the Google Play store. The feature is said to deliver images with unprecedented details in lowlight conditions, something we saw for ourselves when we tried it out a couple of weeks ago.

The Night Sight functions by using the Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) to take long exposure shots to make the entire scene brighter and eliminating the noise. The feature works on both the front and rear cameras and does not require flash and tripod. Google claims it is working on improving the autofocus capabilities of Night Sight.

Once you have updated the Google Camera app, Night Sight will appear as a new mode in the More section. However, the app will automatically suggest you to switch to Night Sight when it detects the scene is dark enough for it to take effect.

Google claims Night Sight is optimised for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL but will also work on older models, though the end results may not be as great. Also, it should be pointed out that the first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL phones as well as the front cameras of all six Pixel models do not have OIS. Google says you may not see the how the photo will actually turn out like before you capture it in cases where the scene is too dark even for the eyes — in fact, the camera app's viewfinder may show a grainy image even though the final shot eliminates the same thanks to Night Sight.