The Google Pixel 8 (2023) captures Pro mode RAW in DNG format and has no mechanical shutter — the image counter stored in each DNG file records total electronic captures. Drop a Pro mode DNG file to read it instantly.
Check Image Counter →The Google Pixel 8 is powered by the Tensor G3 chip with its integrated Titan M2 security coprocessor. The camera system consists of a 50 MP Samsung GN6 main sensor (1/1.31-inch, f/1.68, OIS, PDAF, 24 mm equiv) and a 12 MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 125.5°, fixed focus). Unlike the Pixel 8 Pro, the base Pixel 8 does not include a telephoto camera. Google’s computational photography suite — Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, Night Sight — runs on the Tensor G3’s dedicated NPU. The 6.2-inch Actua OLED (2400×1080, 1–120 Hz adaptive) delivers up to 2000 nits peak brightness. Google committed to 7 years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 8.
Like all Pixel smartphones, the Pixel 8 uses CMOS electronic readout exclusively. There is no mechanical focal-plane shutter. The image counter in Pro mode DNG files increments with every capture.
| Model | Release | Main Sensor | Shutter Type | RAW Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 8 | 2023 | 50 MP Samsung GN6 (1/1.31″, f/1.68) | Electronic only | DNG (Pro mode) |
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | 2023 | 50 MP Samsung GN9 (1/1.31″, f/1.68) | Electronic only | DNG (Pro mode) |
| Google Pixel 9 | 2024 | 50 MP Samsung GN9 (1/1.31″, f/1.68) | Electronic only | DNG (Pro mode) |
| Google Pixel 7 | 2022 | 50 MP Samsung GN1 (1/1.31″, f/1.85) | Electronic only | DNG (Pro mode) |
.dng extension.The image counter gives an indication of usage intensity but has no mechanical wear implication. Key factors when evaluating a used Pixel 8:
| What to Check | How |
|---|---|
| Battery health | Settings → Battery → Battery health. Google flags batteries below 80% as degraded |
| Display condition | Check the 6.2-inch OLED for burn-in, dead pixels, or edge delamination; test Night Mode to spot backlight bleed |
| Camera lenses | Inspect both lenses (main and ultrawide) for scratches; test Night Sight and Best Take AI features |
| Titan M2 chip | Verify the device passes Google’s Play Integrity check; a compromised Titan M2 may affect security updates |
| Image counter | High count (>50,000) suggests intensive photography use — useful context, not a failure indicator |
The Tensor G3 chip’s dedicated neural processing unit enables Google’s computational photography features to run at full speed. Magic Eraser, Best Take (multi-shot face composition), and Photo Unblur (sharpening motion-blurred subjects) are processed locally on-device without cloud upload.
The image counter is stored in the DNG ImageNumber EXIF tag. This counter is maintained in persistent device memory and increments across all cameras and modes. It cannot be reset by a factory reset or software update.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro share the same main camera sensor (GN6 on 8, GN9 on Pro — same size, slightly different tuning) but the Pro adds a 48 MP ultrawide with autofocus and a 48 MP 5× periscope telephoto. The Pro also includes a temperature sensor and a higher-brightness display. Both devices output DNG RAW in Pro mode with the same image counter structure.
No. All Google Pixel smartphones use CMOS electronic readout. There is no focal-plane shutter mechanism and no rated mechanical lifespan.
The Pixel 8 uses standard DNG RAW (not Apple’s proprietary ProRAW format). Pixel DNG files use the same DNG specification as most Android phones and are fully compatible with Lightroom, Capture One, and darktable. The image counter is embedded in the standard DNG ImageNumber EXIF field.
No. The counter is stored in persistent hardware memory and cannot be reset by a factory reset or any software action. It reliably reflects total device usage since manufacture.
Tensor G3 improves the ISP pipeline for better noise reduction in low-light DNG captures and faster processing of multi-frame RAW stacks. The DNG output from the Pixel 8 contains more detail in shadows at high ISOs compared to the Pixel 7 (Tensor G2), though the sensor is the same Samsung GN-series family. The image counter structure in DNG files is unchanged between generations.