About Megapixels
Megapixels are one of the most widely recognized measures of the quality of a digital camera. However, measurements of megapixels can be misleading.
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Function
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A megapixel is 1 million pixels. Each pixel is a small light sensor that absorbs light when a picture is taken. When these pixels are put together, they form a recognizable picture.
Significance
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In general, the more megapixels a camera is capable of, the larger the print you can make and the more detailed cropping you can do without losing image quality.
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Size
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According to Hewlett Packard, you need at least two megapixels to print a quality 4-by-6-inch photo. A 10-megapixel camera can be used to print up to 11-by-14-inch quality photos.
Considerations
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Megapixels are not the only factor in determining image quality. You also need to make sure you are properly exposing the image and that the subject is in focus.
Warning
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More megapixels doesn't always mean better pictures. If the camera has a small image sensor, each pixel is smaller, which decreases its sensitivity to light. Decreased sensitivity to light causes grainier photos and off-color spots in the image.
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