You are now entering the PC Anatomy portal

A megapixel (MP) is a unit of measurement for a digital image's resolution, representing one million pixels. The total megapixel count is calculated by multiplying the width and height of an image in pixels and dividing by one million. For example, an image that is 4,000 pixels by 3,000 pixels contains 12 million pixels, or 12 MP.

How megapixels affect image quality. While a higher megapixel count allows for greater potential detail and larger print sizes, it does not guarantee a higher-quality image. Image quality is determined by a combination of factors:

Cropping: High-megapixel images offer more flexibility for editing, as you can crop a section of the picture and still have enough resolution for a high-quality result.

Enlargements and prints: More megapixels mean the image is composed of more individual dots of color, allowing it to be printed at a larger size before individual pixels become visible.

File size and storage: A higher megapixel count means the image is made of more data, which results in larger file sizes. This requires more storage space and can place a greater strain on your computer or phone.