Megapixel
A unit representing one million pixels, used to indicate the total number of pixels a camera sensor can capture.
A megapixel (MP) equals one million pixels and indicates the total pixel count a camera sensor can record. For example, a 12MP camera captures approximately 12 million pixels, producing images around 4000x3000px.
Higher pixel counts preserve more detail and allow larger prints without losing sharpness. However, megapixels alone do not determine image quality. Sensor size, lens quality, and image processing also play crucial roles. Cramming too many pixels onto a small sensor reduces the light-gathering area per pixel, increasing noise.
As a guideline, social media posts need only 2-3MP, A4 printing at 300dpi requires about 9MP, and poster printing benefits from 20MP or more. Smartphone cameras range from 12 to 200MP, but 12MP provides sufficient quality for everyday use. Understanding megapixels alongside resolution helps determine the right pixel count for any purpose.