Pixel 10 Pro Quietly Unlocks DCG, Delivering True 12-Bit RAW Video

Smartphone Filmmaking

by Nino LeitnerSeptember 9^th, 2025

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Google’s Pixel 10 Pro may have seemed like another underwhelming smartphone launch, but hidden inside its sensor is a capability that turns it into a genuine pocket cinema camera: Dual Conversion Gain (DCG). Unlike most reviews suggested, this feature delivers 12-bit RAW video, higher dynamic range, and cleaner shadows straight out of the box — no rooting or hacks required. Let’s dive into Pixel 10 Pro 12-bit RAW video.

When the Pixel 10 Pro launched, many dismissed its cameras compared to rivals like the iPhone 17 Pro. But as uncovered in a Reddit deep-dive by user RaguSaucy and confirmed by tests with MotionCam Pro, Google has quietly enabled DCG, unlocking the full potential of Samsung’s GNV sensor. Shoutout to Eliot Fitzroy from Epic Tutorials for informing us about this development – check out his blog on the subject and his video embedded further down below.

What dual conversion gain actually does

DCG (also known as Smart-ISO Pro by Samsung) captures the same exposure at two analog gains simultaneously, merges them before digitization, and outputs a true 12-bit signal. This means:

• Reduced noise, especially in shadows
• Greater dynamic range without HDR-style ghosting or motion artifacts
• Richer gradation and smoother tonal transitions

Unlike HDR frame stacking, DCG achieves its results in a single exposure. It’s a sensor-level feature, and until now it has sat dormant on devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S23–S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 13–15 Ultra, and even Google’s own Pixel 9 Pro.

How it was confirmed

The discovery started with a Camera2API report on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. As shared on Reddit, the hardware ID showed a “white level” of 4095, confirming native 12-bit capture (compared to the 1023 value of standard 10-bit sensors) .

For the first time, this mode is not just active for Google’s stock pipeline but accessible to third-party apps. That means MotionCam Pro, Blackmagic Camera, ProShot, and others can all benefit from the improved sensor readout.

Seeing DCG in action

Video tests from Sebastian Merca of MotionCam Pro demonstrate the difference clearly:

• RAW 10-bit (DCG off): noisy shadows, heavy denoising needed in post.
• RAW 12-bit (DCG on): smoother gradations, far less noise, and improved shadow recovery.

Watch the comparison video below. Waveform analysis shows visibly cleaner lows and more recoverable detail, closing the gap between smartphones and dedicated cinema cameras.

One standout advantage: using MotionCam Pro on the Pixel 10 Pro, creators can record 4K open gate (4030 × 3072) in 12-bit RAW, bypassing Google’s image signal processing. Imported into DaVinci Resolve, the files support highlight recovery and log conversions (ARRI LogC, Sony S-Log3, Apple Log), giving users the same kind of grading flexibility they’d expect from professional cinema gear.

Why didn’t Samsung or Xiaomi enable it?

The irony is that Samsung manufactures the sensor in the Pixel 10 Pro, yet keeps DCG locked on its own flagships. Xiaomi does the same. In the past, modders forced DCG on with risky root exploits, but mainstream users were shut out.

Google flipping the switch proves it can be done — and now pressure may mount on other manufacturers to enable DCG on both future and existing devices.

Why this matters for filmmakers

Mobile filmmakers already use apps like MotionCam Pro to bypass default image pipelines, but enabling DCG raises the ceiling. The difference is not subtle: cleaner shadows, higher usable dynamic range, and true 12-bit gradation make smartphone RAW video grading much closer to cinema workflows.

As one Redditor put it: “Pixels did it. DCG mode is native on Pixel 10. History made.”

Final thoughts on Pixel 10 Pro 12-bit RAW video

DCG does not replace strong cinematography or negate the need for proper lenses and lighting. But it brings professional-grade sensor performance to a mass-market smartphone for the first time.

For filmmakers who want more than computational tricks, the Pixel 10 Pro has gone from least interesting to the most exciting smartphone for video in 2025. If Samsung and Xiaomi follow Google’s lead, we could see a new standard in mobile imaging. Also, today is the day of Apple’s annual iPhone release event where we can expect the iPhone 17 – let’s see what they have in store when it comes to video capture. Smartphone filmmaking is definitely making huge leaps forward right now.

Would you switch to the Pixel 10 Pro just to unlock DCG, or do you think smartphone filmmaking still has too many limitations? Do you want to shoot Pixel 10 Pro 12-bit RAW video?