Shouldn't do, all supported devices can use GCam out of the box without Play Services.

To use features dependent on Google Photos you'll need to install sandboxed Play Services.

Our default Secure Camera is capsble of many if not all functions however we rely upon the CameraX API and each individual vendor providing the extensions to enable them.

Google haven't as of yet for the Pixels (Samsung is the only OEM so far) however these should come with Android 14 for existing Pixels and/or the Pixel 8. However, it may initially require sandboxed Google Play. We will have to see. When they do our camera app will be able to function to it's potential.