What Is Megapixel Resolution?

Megapixel resolution is a measure of digital image quality.

Pixels are tiny individual dots of color that make up an image. Resolution is a term used in digital photography to denote how many pixels collectively form an image.

Pixels

"Pixel" stands for PICture ELement. Pixels are arranged vertically and horizontally across an image, and counting all of them leads to a resolution size. Total number of pixels is found by multiplying the number of horizontal and vertical pixels. One megapixel, or MP, is equal to one million total pixels.

Example

A picture with 1,536 vertical pixels and 2,048 horizontal pixels has 3,145,728 total pixels. For convenience, this number is commonly rounded off, so this sample picture would have a resolution of 3 MP.

Misconceptions

Fueled by camera manufacturer marketing campaigns, many consumers overvalue the benefit of a few extra megapixels. Although the difference between an image from a 3 MP and 12 MP camera would be quite noticeable, the difference between a 3 MP and a 6 MP -- or even an 8 MP -- camera that is otherwise the same would be barely noticeable. Color and tone are far more important in all pictures, except the ones meant to be blown up to extremely large proportions, such as 12 feet by 9 feet and beyond.

References

• Ken Rockwell: The Megapixel Myth