The Poke Finder mechanic returns in the game and is much improved. You get access to a camera feature from your Rotom phone that allows you to take pictures, however unlike in Gen 7 this can be done anywhere in the Wild Area. There are specific areas you can use outside of the Wild Area, but its best used there. Camera comes with a few filters, but more can be unlocked.

The Wild Area may seem empty, but there are different NPCs that can give you side missions ranging from taking pictures of Pokemon, catching Pokemon, chasing pokemon, and finding lost items from wandering NPCs. There also is certain Pokemon that can be caught in the wild area with specific items, such as certain starters.

The regional Dex is the largest having around 600 Pokemon available, not counting new Pokemon. The Dex also is broke up into sections with specific rare pokemon having there own section of the Dex.