Xiaomi 13 Pro vs Google Pixel 7 Pro: a camera comparison

The Xiaomi 13 Pro (review) boasts a spectacular camera setup ranging from a 50MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor to a floating telephoto camera with variable focal lengths. During my time reviewing the device, I clicked some spectacular shots in different lighting conditions that features a host of complex subjects and colours. Naturally, at the handset’s asking price of Rs 79,999, you would expect the smartphone to be in a different league as far as image-capturing prowess is concerned. However, I wanted to find out how good the 13 Pro actually is when compared to some flagship phones from last year that were renowned for their optical capabilities. In this camera comparison, I pitted the Xiaomi 13 Pro against the Pixel 7 Pro (review) to find out if the former truly is a better device to snap images.

As far as the camera apparatus goes, the Pixel 7 Pro uses a 50MP Samsung GN1 sensor as its main shooter. The supporting act consists of a 12MP Samsung GM1 ultra-wide sensor and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5X optical zoom. On Xiaomi’s side, there is the Leica-branded setup of a 50MP 1-inch shooter, a 50MP ultra-wide camera and a 50MP 3.2X floating telephoto sensor. 

Daylight Landscape

Let’s just first start off by saying both phones are excellent devices for photography needs. While there are differences in quite a few of the shots, one can easily classify the winner as a personal preference. That being said, the image above showcased for daylight comparison is nearly similar on both devices. The grass on the bottom and the tree leaves are a bit more saturated on the 13 Pro than the Pixel 7 Pro’s image. Detailing, dynamic range, and exposure control is immaculate with both shots although a 50 per cent crop shows that the latter just outdoes the other in terms of the text written on the slab. The difference is very subtle and would largely be ignored by anyone who was not intent on pixel-peeping each image.

The second image is also more of the same, with Xiaomi trying to bring more vibrancy into the shot. In the more shadowy parts of the frame, like the tree canopy on the top, the Pixel 7 Pro has done a better job with the detailing. Exposure is also slightly better but there’s a warmer tone to the overall image while the colour temperature with the 13 Pro is more neutral. I will give this round a draw as both devices pull out all the stops to snap very appealing shots. However, I would like to mention two things that can be in favour of the 13 Pro. The first is that all the shots I have taken are using the Leica Authentic mode and not the Leica Vibrant, which you can easily choose from in the settings menu. Secondly, the Pixel 7 Pro can only shoot pixel-binned 12.5MP shots whereas you have the option of capturing hi-res 50MP images on the 13 Pro.

Winner: Tie

Ultra-wide images

The Pixel 7 Pro does a better job here even with a lower resolution sensor than the Xiaomi 13 Pro. With the latter’s image, there does appear to be some amount of warping at the edges while the former doesn’t distort the shot. Also, there’s a fair bit more detail on the grass and the shrubs present just towards the left of the frame. I prefer the controlled colour reproduction of the Pixel 7 Pro both in the reds of the building and the blues in the sky. Dynamic range was aplenty with either shot and in terms of field-of-view, both devices capture an equal amount.

In the second image, the detailing aspect remains more or less equal with both phones. I also like how well the sky’s exposure is handled with the sun shining directly behind. The colours do seem a bit more punchy with the Xiaomi 13 Pro but the shadowy areas of the bushes on the side are not that well exposed. Overall, this round is taken by the Pixel 7 Pro but by a very small margin.

Winner: Pixel 7 Pro

Macro images

Both smartphones are capable of churning out detailed macro images using their respective telephoto shooters. The focusing distance is also about the same with either phone. However, there is a stark difference in the colour output of both devices. In the Pixel 7 Pro shot, the flower and its pollen grains are depicted exactly as how they appeared. The Xiaomi 13 Pro, however, went overboard and painted the petals in a pink colour, which is nowhere close to the flower’s original colour. Details on both images were splendid although, through a bit of cropping in, the Pixel shot did, in fact, gather a bit more of the pollen grains. This round goes to the Pixel 7 Pro as well.

Winner: Pixel 7 Pro

Telephoto 2X and 5X

While the Pixel 7 Pro’s telephoto capabilities extend to 5x optical zoom, the Xiaomi 13 Pro can do 3.2x. However, the Pixel 7 Pro gives up after 30x digital zoom while the Xiaomi 13 Pro can go up to 70x. A word of advice though, neither phone can pull off even a halfway decent shot at their respective maximum zoom. In the above image, the optical zoom is at 2x and there’s again that difference in the colour science although both images are impressively detailed. The Xiaomi 13 Pro has again turned up the saturation levels giving the dead grass at the bottom a darker shade of brown. Now some might prefer the image as it looks a bit more vibrant, but I personally like the Pixel 7 Pro’s neutral tone. The colour of the sky also gets the right shade of blue with the Pixel 7 Pro. 

Differences are slight when zooming into 5x with the 7 Pro getting a cleaner shot owing to its better telephoto capabilities. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is no slouch either, maintaining its colours across both shots while the 7 Pro churns out warmer tones as compared to its 2x shot. There’s a bit of personal preference in this one as I give the win to the Pixel 7 Pro but it could just as easily be the 13 Pro for a different set of eyes.

Winner: Pixel 7 Pro

Portrait mode

Now the Xiaomi 13 Pro is absolutely decked up when it comes to capturing portraits. You can snap 35mm black and white shots, 75mm portraits at 3.2x, swirly bokeh at 50mm and 90mm shots for faraway images. The Pixel 7 Pro does just one mode which is natural bokeh at 2x and 1x zoom. Of course, when it comes to the feature set for portrait shots, the Xiaomi 13 Pro wins outright. However, capturing the usual bokeh images with the subject separated from the background is what I think the consumers will do the most. In that category, and from the photos above, the Pixel 7 Pro again takes the cake. The device has done a much better job of getting the petals in focus and into the foreground. It isn’t perfect, by any means, but it is a much better job than what Xiaomi 13 Pro does.

Winner: Pixel 7 Pro

Selfie

The Pixel 7 Pro has a 10.8MP selfie camera while the Xiaomi 13 Pro is nearly triple the resolution. However, when it comes to the final output, both devices can churn out decent-looking selfies. The latter has some problems with exposure behind my face while the former’s skin tones are not the greatest. Even so, as far as the overall photo goes, there is very little that separates the two. This round is a tie.

Winner: Tie

Low light

When it comes to low-light images, the Xiaomi 13 Pro has done a fine job with its image processing. The final output looks cleaner and more akin to what the night actually looks like when compared to the image snapped by the Pixel 7 Pro. Notice how the sky is a pale black on the latter’s snap while the 13 Pro brings more realism. Detailing-wise, both images are sharp and control lens flare, although the Pixel 7 Pro just slightly increases the exposure levels. I think this round can be given to the Xiaomi 13 Pro for its overall picture quality.

Winner: Xiaomi 13 Pro

Night mode

Using the dedicated Night mode is automatic on the Pixel 7 Pro and the only setting that you can change is how long can the sensor gather details. The Xiaomi 13 Pro can switch on its Night mode when required but you can also select it manually in the settings menu. Coming to the images themselves, I think a bit of personal choice comes into play as both snaps are very good. I like the overall tonality on display with the 13 Pro’s shot in terms of the colours and shadows. There’s a bit more artificial look to how the Pixel 7 Pro took the photo when looking at the park below. I will give this round to the Xiaomi 13 Pro.

Winner: Xiaomi 13 Pro

Final verdict

As you can see from this comparison, the Pixel 7 Pro did win in most categories but the victory was marginal and the result could swing either way depending on your preference. If you like saturated images with a touch of extra vibrancy and the ability to tune up the colours for instant social media sharing, then the Xiaomi 13 Pro will suit you. The device also has a plethora of features buried in its camera app for budding photography enthusiasts to play around with. However, if you are like me, and want a simple point-and-shoot experience with a natural look to each snap, then the Pixel 7 Pro is the way to go.