Still a little confused on HDR+ vs HDR+ Enhanced (Pixel 3 / 3XL)

[jekrispardgeek]

I'm still not 100% sure I understand the differences between these two modes.

 

[puch96]

HDR + Enhanced I think works best on low light conditions. but it takes more time for processing. In good lit environment, they are almost the same between the two.

 

[Rukbat]

HDR increases the Dynamic Range (High Dynamic Range) - the difference between details in the darkest parts of the picture and not washing out in the brightest parts. HDR+ is just a larger range. HDR+ Enhanced is a still larger range. (Basically the phone takes a range of pictures [it's called exposure bracketing], then a little chip [that Google designed - all other makes do it in software and it can take a few seconds or more between your ability to take shots] combines the underexposed bright parts and the overexposed dark parts into one picture. If you leave it set to Enhanced, it will almost always give you the best effects. About the only time I can think that it pays to "dial it back" [to HDR+, HDR or turn HDR completely off] is when you need to snap shots off as quickly as possible - like a series of a horse running, so you can capture that instant when all 4 feet are off the ground.)

 

[Mike Dee]

HDR increases the Dynamic Range (High Dynamic Range) - the difference between details in the darkest parts of the picture and not washing out in the brightest parts. HDR+ is just a larger range. HDR+ Enhanced is a still larger range. (Basically the phone takes a range of pictures [it's called exposure bracketing], then a little chip [that Google designed - all other makes do it in software and it can take a few seconds or more between your ability to take shots] combines the underexposed bright parts and the overexposed dark parts into one picture. If you leave it set to Enhanced, it will almost always give you the best effects. About the only time I can think that it pays to "dial it back" [to HDR+, HDR or turn HDR completely off] is when you need to snap shots off as quickly as possible - like a series of a horse running, so you can capture that instant when all 4 feet are off the ground.)

I agree with scaling back as you suggest. I have also found it pays to scale back when a subject does not sit still.

 

[Rukbat]

Agreed. Capturing something fast requires decent light (in a phone - with a good camera you can set for a fast shutter speed and let the f-stop fall where it has to) and no processing. Even a few milliseconds of HDR processing can turn a great action shot into a blur.

 

[klau25]

Another reason not to use enhanced is top shot doesn't work with HDR + Enhanced. I noticed it only works with HDR +.

 

[ClintRo]

Just figured this out today.

Another reason not to use enhanced is top shot doesn't work with HDR + Enhanced. I noticed it only works with HDR +.

 

[EMGSM]

In my experience, the HDR + Enhanced shoots warmer pictures.

 

[Mr MnmlEngr]

Since I've empirically discovered what everyone here is saying -- Enhanced is good when you have time for a still shot -- I tend to leave my 3XL on HDR+ by default. Logic being if I'm wanting to capture a dynamic subject, I'll probably not have time to switch the setting on the fly. But if I'm going to be in a situation where Enhanced is better, I should have an extra half second to change it. Just a little nugget for anyone else out there

 

[M24karat1]

After chatting with Google - online chat. I was told to leave HDR+ on most if the time to play it safe. You'll notice if you turn HDR off completely things look a little to light and fuzzy indoors, and with HDR+ Enhanced on all the time it looks to dark. Me personally I keep HDR+ on all the time except for night shots and landscapes. They said you don't have to do to much thinking because it has a form of artificial intelligence built into the camera so even with HDR+ on in the wrong situation it turns it off. 99% of the time it will think for you, kind of like Bixby or Google Assistant. It's way ahead of its time. Even with The Pixel 4 coming out in 2 weeks. The Google pixel 3a XL's camera still ranks #1 today!