When Google came out with the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G earlier this year, you can use the company’s astrophotography mode with one of their primary cameras. But that is no longer the case. After Google updated its camera app in November, the Pixel community recently found that you can not use the feature in combination with the ultra-wide cameras of the Pixel 5s and 4a 5G. Google did not comment on the removal, but a recently updated support page confirms the change, noting: “On the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, astrophotography only works on zoom settings equal to or greater than 1x.”
It’s not clear why Google decided to adjust the astrophotography feature, but if Gizmodo points out, one possible explanation is that it did not produce amazing photos with the wide-angle cameras on those phones. A support thread they found shows several sets of comparison images, and in any case, the photos captured by the wide-angle cameras on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G are with a sick green tint and unsightly digital noise. Not many Pixel owners seem to regret the change, but whatever it is, we’ve added Google for more information. We will update this article when we hear from the company.