What Is 3 Megapixel Resolution?

Digital cameras count image quality size in terms of megapixels.

Megapixels are the small dots of information that make up digital photos, similar to grain in film. The larger the megapixel size, the higher the image resolution. Higher image resolution allows for a larger printed image.

Size

The pixel count is determined by multiplying the number of horizontal pixels by the number of vertical pixels. A 3 megapixel resolution has a horizontal length of 2,048 pixels and a vertical height of 1,536 pixels for a total resolution of 3,145,728 pixels.

Image Quality

The image output size will vary based on DPI settings, but 300 DPI is generally considered "print quality." A 3 megapixel resolution printed at 300 DPI produces a final image size just in between the standard 4-by-6-inch and 5-by-7-inch image sizes.

Devices

Most cameras now are made with resolutions greater than 3 megapixels because technological advancements in digital imaging have made very large resolutions commonplace. Cell phones and small electronic devices might come with a 3 megapixel resolution.

References

• KenRockwell.com: The Megapixel Myth