Using the Moto G4 Play's 8-megapixel camera

The Motorola Moto G4 Play may not have the most impressive-sounding 8-megapixel camera, but so long as you get the phone in good lighting, it actually takes some pretty decent shots.

A daylight shot outside the Stanley Kubrick Exhibition at the Contemporary Jewish Museum here in San Francisco. The Moto G4 Play captured the detail and highlights of the clouds as well as the deep black color in the banners.

Stanley Kubrick's director's chair. The camera did a good job capturing detail under the exhibit's mixed lighting. Notice there is a tiny bit of image noise in the background.

A model of the spaceship Discovery One from the film "2001: A Space Odyssey." This was another mixed light indoor shot. The camera did a good job handling the shadows under the model.

Posters for some of Stanley Kubrick's films. The lighting here was good. Despite the posters being behind glass, the lettering on the posters is sharp.

One of Stanley Kubrick's lenses. This was taken using HDR mode. Notice the sharpness of the lettering on the lens. There is even a little bit of bokeh (attractively blurred background) happening.

The G4 Play managed this wide dynamic range of bright light and dark shadow as well as you'd expect for a budget phone. But a really high-end phone camera would create less image noise.

Stella the cat. This was taken in really good light and with HDR mode. It was helpful having a sleepy critter. Notice all the details in her fur that the camera was able to capture.

Mr. Pickle photo break! I took this HDR shot outside a sandwich joint. Notice how the camera was able to keep my friend's skin tones looking natural.

Brunch at Schmidt's, under mixed lighting. The camera did a good job minimizing the highlights and maximizing the textures of the eggs, napkins and plates.

Check out my full Motorola Moto G4 Play review for everything good...and maybe not-so-good.