Photos from the Pixel 3A's camera

Google's new phones, the Pixel 3A and Pixel 3A XL, are cheaper than their premium counterparts, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Though the Pixel 3A phones don't have a second wide-angle, front-facing camera, all four devices share the same 12.2-megapixel rear shooter, which we loved on the more expensive phones. 

We took the camera out for a spin to check out how Google's camera technology fares on its new budget device.

Using the camera's HDR Plus Enhanced mode, this photo combines several exposures and images into one high-dynamic picture.  

In this bright image taken outside, you can see plenty of colors in the leaves.

Zooming in on the previous picture, you can still see the snow lantern in sharp detail and lighting. 

On the front is an 8-megapixel camera. It too can shoot portrait mode photos, though not as well as the back camera.

This photo was taken indoors in a brightly lit restaurant.

In this closeup, macro shot the blue flowers are sharp and in focus.

In another closeup shot, you can see how clear the pushpins in the foreground are as well as the fine hairs of the felt.

A delicious shot of some crispy friend chicken.

Compared to other phones, this portrait image shows true-to-life colors, albeit bluer and colder than that of the iPhone XR and Galaxy S10E. The depth-of-field effect is also patchy, which you can see around the hairline.

This picture was taken with lots of bright, decorative lights in the background.

The camera was able to sharply capture the vibrant light inside this tube.

In this tricky scene, I was able to take a portrait photo of this slow-moving dancer in low light.  

Another low-lit photo taken at nighttime. 

Though you can't tell from this picture, this was taken inside a very dark bar. Night Sight is still a wonder.  

This picture was also taken with Night Sight, when it was very dark outside.

Another photo taken with Night Sight.

Compared to the iPhone XR and the Galaxy S10E, the Pixel 3A brightened up this setting the best with Night Sight.

For more information about the phones, read CNET's reviews of the Pixel 3A and Pixel 3A XL. And for more about the Pixel 3's camera (which, again, is the same as the Pixel 3A's), check out CNET's deep-dive camera comparisons:

• Pixel 3 vs. iPhone XR: Which phone has the best camera?
• Pixel 3 vs. iPhone XS: Which phone has the best camera and portrait mode?
• Pixel 3 vs. Galaxy S10: Which phone has the best camera?