Google has stated that the telephoto video issue on the Pixel 10 Pro has been resolved, yet user complaints about this and other potential problems continue to surface. Even after the T-Mobile update was released, many users in Canada reported video jerkiness during panning. Some found the stuttering only stopped after disabling Video Stabilization in the Pixel Camera app. If smooth video from the telephoto lens is essential for you, the problem might still persist.
Online reports from Reddit and Google’s help forums describe a consistent issue: when recording video at telephoto zoom and panning slowly, the footage produces “tick” sounds instead of a smooth glide. This artifact is not a typical 24 fps judder but rather erratic frame shifts caused by stabilization adjustments. At zoom levels between 3× and 5×, small hand shakes become amplified, resulting in a mechanical, jerky appearance.
Many users mention that turning off Video Stabilization, which disables electronic image stabilization (EIS) while keeping optical image stabilization (OIS) active, significantly reduces the stutter. This suggests that the aggressive digital corrections from EIS cause sudden jumps, while OIS alone allows for a more natural, smoother pan with subtle handheld sway.
Google Support has told some customers that a recent update fixed the problem, but many users still experience the stutter. Google has yet to release a detailed changelog about a specific fix for the Pixel 10 Pro’s telephoto EIS issue. This lack of clear communication leaves users uncertain whether the problem is widespread or an unresolved edge case bug.
Stabilizing video through a telephoto lens is inherently challenging because telephoto zoom amplifies hand movements. OIS physically shifts lens elements to counteract shake, whereas EIS digitally crops and shifts each frame based on motion estimates. When these two systems are not perfectly synchronized, micro-corrections can conflict, causing the crop window to jitter, especially during slow, deliberate pans.
To test whether EIS is causing the problem, try disabling Video Stabilization in the Pixel Camera app while recording telephoto video. If the video becomes smoother, it confirms the interplay of EIS and OIS is responsible for the stutter. Some users also find success using third-party camera apps like Open Camera, which use a different EIS method. Using a monopod or tripod and opting for the primary camera when possible can also help achieve stable footage.
For those experiencing this issue, recording sample clips with Video Stabilization on and off under identical conditions and submitting them through the phone’s feedback tool helps Google investigate. Reproducible test cases are essential for developers to pinpoint the problematic stabilization transitions.
For Pixel 10 Pro owners who rely heavily on telephoto video, this is a known issue without an official permanent fix. While the rear cameras are overall excellent, telephoto stabilization remains inconsistent. Disabling video stabilization offers a temporary workaround but is not an ideal long-term solution. Sharing setup details and sample videos with Google could help speed up a tested fix.
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