Megapixels
are one of the most widely recognized measures of the quality of a digital camera. However, measurements of megapixels can be misleading.
Function
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
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.
Size
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
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
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.
Tags: image quality, sensitivity light