Yea but sample pics aren't exactly what I would call solid proof. There are tons of sample pics from tons of other smartphones that aren't even at the top which look great. Doesn't mean they are...

The rating does have some merit but it is questionable none the less. I highly doubt a camera without OIS is more useful than a camera with OIS... Not sure whats so bad about Samsung's Camera app either considering the high praise about it from virtually every reviewer. Or is it just "I don't like it cause I don't like Samsung" sorta deal.

And yes, we all saw google's press event. And we all know EIS is a thing that has been around for a while. There is a difference between google's internal testing vs real world and same goes for every other smartphone. The Galaxy S7 has both EIS and OIS where as Pixel only has EIS. A great version of EIS certainly but it still only has EIS. Optical image stablization will always produce more better results than Electronic will due to the fact that the camera itself is moving in OIS. EIS also generally has a loss in image quality and resolution comparatively, specially in low light. But sure, we shall see as the phone continues to lack things other flagships have...

https://www.motionelements.com/blog/articles/eis-or-ois-your-guide-to-image-stabilization-systems

nope - more likely that i'm not used to it. I've used wife's a few times and its annoying to me on the little things. Like on my Moto X I can touch anywhere to take a picture vs having to use the digital 'button' or i can zoom in/out with one finger vs needing to pinch. Quality wise - her's blows mine away. I love how you like to tout how much pixel is missing, when its only like 4 things that are questionably useful to many people. Especially, considering we've yet to be able to see how good the software actually is, such as Assistant or Duo or the actual new camera software.

I was never intending to turn this into a pissing contest. Just wanted to refute your claim that it was priced more with less features. All in all, is similarly featured (+ and -) and priced the same. 

We should revive this discussion in December when Pixel has been out in wild for a bit. 

Thats cause the features that Pixel has will come to other devices where as the hardware features in other flagships will never come to Pixel. Heck, I can get Duo from the playstore on my phone right now. Considering how much more every other flagships offer which pixel doesn't, those 4 things are big considering the price point. Other phones that lack those are in the $400 range and even then, they have things that try to make up for those features in other wise apart from the $400 price tag. For example, the ZTE Axon 7 has dual front facing speakers, 1440p Amoled display, microsd, OIS and etc and it still costs $400. It is missing things like water-resistance, heart-rate monitor, wireless charging and a camera that is as good as the big boys. But the thing is, considering Pixel doesn't have 1440p (on the regular size), dual front facing speakers, OIS or micro-sd, one would think that it would be priced cheaper than $649. Camera + on time software updates (for 2 years) should not cost $250+. $100-$150? Sure but $250? Idk dude

And I don't understand how any of what you said refuted my claim of paying more for less... Even if Pixel's camera turns out to be better, it will only be slightly and it is still missing a whole bunch of things that other flagships have...

And yes we should.

http://bgr.com/2016/10/11/pixel-xl-vs-iphone-7-plus-4k-video/

From an iPhone fan site, looks like Pixel camera (4k video) is awesome and better than iPhone 7 at least. Though he did call out the image stabilization. Decent short video you can watch.

Can you quote me when there is an in-depth side by side comparison only? Thanks. I am looking mainly towards Business Insider's in-depth comparison cause they really had an excellent review of iphone 7 vs S7's camera.

I do think Pixel should be able to beat the iphone 7/Plus Camera however. (Not in all cases though) Apple's camera was once the camera to beat but this generation, not so much apart from the zoom. Still, one way or another, Pixel's camera will certainly be an improvement over the relative cameras the Nexus devices had for sure regardless of whether or not it wins.

The same person made all of those videos. (professional) I was paraphrasing what he said regarding the Pixel. Did you read the article or just skim it?

I did read the first few pharagraphs and then skimmed the rest cause most of it was just about the iphone 7. All he said was:

"“I shot this in two days,” YouTuber Ron8it said about the following video. “I used a piece of ND filter film over the lens for a couple of shots. Slow motion was done in phone with an app. This was edited in a 24p timeline. I must say that the PIXEL XL blows the doors off of the iPhone 7 Plus when it comes to 4K video when in terms of a cinematic look. The color palette is amazing. I will say the Image stabilization needs some work. Not overly sharp but [looks fantastic].”

As you can easily see, the video does have a Google watermark on it and seems to have been recorded for the company.

The same user recorded a few 4K videos using the iPhone 7 Plus in previous weeks, so he does have some experience with Apple’s latest phablet. Here they are, followed by their respective descriptions."

Its not exactly what I would call an in-depth analysis. "I must say that the PIXEL XL blows the doors off of the iPhone 7 Plus when it comes to 4K video when in terms of a cinematic look. The color palette is amazing." Really doesn't mean much to me. Just look at how specific his wording is... He was recording the thing for Google so there is that too... And of course, as you mentioned as well, the lack of OIS comes back into play.

I think you read in too much to my post. I never said it was an in-depth analysis. I literally paraphrased what he said and stated there was a cool video inside. Figured a pro who does this for a living has a valid data point on quality cameras and thought I'd share.

Can you quote me when there is an in-depth side by side comparison only? Thanks. I am looking mainly towards Business Insider's in-depth comparison cause they really had an excellent review of iphone 7 vs S7's camera.

I do think Pixel should be able to beat the iphone 7/Plus Camera however. (Not in all cases though) Apple's camera was once the camera to beat but this generation, not so much apart from the zoom. Still, one way or another, Pixel's camera will certainly be an improvement over the relative cameras the Nexus devices had for sure regardless of whether or not it wins.