Google Pixel 10 Pro Unlocks a Hidden Sensor Feature for Pro Video (DCG 12-bit RAW Video on Android)

When the Pixel 10 Pro launched, many reviewers dismissed it as another underwhelming year for Google’s cameras. I’ll admit, I was ready to write it off too and save my money for the iPhone 17 Pro. But then I stumbled across something that completely changed my mind: a hidden sensor feature called Dual Conversion Gain (DCG).

And here’s the thing — Google didn’t mention it on stage, reviewers didn’t cover it, and yet it may be the most exciting advancement in smartphone video in years.

📌 Want to inspect RAW DCG samples yourself? See here.

What Is Dual Conversion Gain?

DCG is a sensor technology that captures the same exposure at two different analog gains simultaneously, then merges them before digitization. The result is a 12-bit signal with more dynamic range, richer color, and drastically cleaner shadows.

Unlike HDR, there’s no frame stacking, no ghosting, and no motion artifacts. Think of it as the best parts of Canon or ARRI’s dual-gain output, but with a smarter twist: instead of using two fixed ISOs (say 800 and 3200), DCG dynamically selects the best two for each scene.

Samsung calls it Smart-ISO Pro. Omnivision just says DCG. The principle is the same.

For an in-depth overview check this Reddit featuring the ultimate deep-dive by RaguSaucy.

Why This Matters for Video

Up until now, DCG has been dormant in phones like the Galaxy S23, S24, S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 13–15 Ultra, and even the Pixel 9 Pro - and off limits to third-party apps like MotionCam Pro and Blackmagic Camera. The hardware supports it, but the feature stays locked away unless you’re willing to root your device and risk bricking it.

The Pixel 10 Pro changes that. It’s the first smartphone to unlock DCG out of the box, and you can access it today in MotionCam Pro, the best pro video app on Android.

Seeing DCG in Action

In the above video from Sebastian Merca from MotionCam Pro, you will see (provided you watch on a monitor in 4K due to Youtube's lousy compreesion:

• RAW 10-bit (DCG off): noisier shadows that need heavy cleanup in post.
• RAW 12-bit (DCG on): smoother shadows, recovered detail, and a much cleaner waveform across the range.

DCG doesn’t just reduce noise — it unlocks shadow detail and boosts usable dynamic range in ways that feel more like cinema cameras than smartphones.

And how does the Pixel 10 Pro with DCG compare to the Samsung S25 Ultra that does not enable dual conversion gain? The results speak for themselves:

Source: Sebastian Merca / MotionCam Pro

Why Didn’t Samsung or Xiaomi Unlock It?

That’s the frustrating part. Samsung actually makes the sensor inside the Pixel 10 Pro, yet keeps DCG locked on its own flagship phones. Xiaomi does the same. The hardware can deliver it, but the software never exposes it.

Google flipping the switch is exciting because it proves it can be done — and if enough awareness builds, other manufacturers might follow suit.

The Workflow Advantage

Pair the Pixel 10 Pro with MotionCam Pro and you’re shooting 4K open-gate, 12-bit RAW video that bypasses Google’s heavy-handed image signal processing. Drop those DNG files into DaVinci Resolve and you have full control: highlight recovery, log color spaces (ARRI LogC, Sony S-Log3, Apple Log), and a grading workflow that rivals dedicated cinema gear.

This isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about unlocking the true potential of the sensor you already have in your pocket.

The Future of Mobile Filmmaking

DCG doesn’t mean you can’t shoot amazing video without it — MotionCam Pro already delivers high quality footage than the iPhone 16 Pro, even on older devices. But with DCG enabled, the gap between smartphones and cinema cameras narrows in a way that’s impossible to ignore.

For me, this single feature has catapulted the Pixel 10 Pro from “least interesting” to the most exciting smartphone for filmmakers in 2025.

Learn to Master MotionCam Pro

If you want to try RAW video capture on Android, then here is my jumpstart tutorial that will get you up and running quickly.

And if you're curious how to enable DCG on the Pixel 10 Pro in MotionCam Pro - it is enabled by default after a clean install! It will default to RAW 12 which delivers DCG.

And yes - there is a free trial version that offers all functionality with a 5 second record limit. You can download it here and try it.

Final Thoughts

Google’s decision to unlock DCG is a milestone for mobile imaging. If Samsung and Xiaomi follow suit, filmmakers everywhere could gain access to a feature that was once reserved for cinema cameras costing tens of thousands of dollars.

For now, the Pixel 10 Pro holds the crown when it comes to DCG. If you care about dynamic range, shadow detail, and true cinematic quality in your smartphone videos, this is the hidden feature you need to know about.

📌 Download MotionCam Pro and begin your RAW video journey on mobile.
📍If you want a good ND filter solution for your Pixel 10 Pro I use this 67mm clip and these magnetic ND filters.