| Most novices and beginner photographers, when | | | | quite close to a million pixels. If you |
| purchasing their first digital camera, do not | | | | notice, the resolution of this screen is |
| have the slightest idea what a pixel is. | | | | better than a computer screen, which can be |
| Their curiosity is justified because cameras | | | | an 800 by 600 pixel.The term megapixel refers |
| makers today categorize digital cameras on | | | | to a million pixels. This means that a 1 |
| the basis of megapixels. To understand | | | | megapixel camera, also sold as 1MP camera, |
| megapixels it is first important to | | | | can shoot a picture with one million pixels. |
| understand what is a pixel. Technically, it | | | | In today's photography world such a camera is |
| is the single point in a graphic image. It | | | | meant for beginners. The professionals use |
| can be reproduced at any size without the | | | | high-end cameras whose megapixel count ranges |
| appearance of visible dots or squares. The | | | | from 14 MP to 22 MP. The megapixel count is |
| word pixel stands for "(PI)cture (El)ement, | | | | also used to decide the size of a print. A |
| with the common abbreviation PIX for | | | | 3MP camera can provide excellent 4x6 inch |
| PICTURE". Having a numerical value between 0 | | | | prints, while a 4 or 5MP digital camera can |
| and 255, each pixel is made of three-color | | | | deliver high quality 8x10 inch prints. This |
| channels.A digital image that has more pixels | | | | is because the resolution of a print is |
| is considered to be of a higher quality when | | | | directly proportional to the number of |
| compared to a picture of the same size but | | | | pixels. Another interesting metric is the |
| with less number of pixels. The quality of | | | | pixel ratio. You will find the camera makers |
| the picture becomes even better when there | | | | talk of a 1:3 ratio. This means that for |
| are more pixels compressed over every square | | | | every 1 one pixel down, there are 1.3 pixels |
| inch of space. However, a higher megapixel | | | | across. This ratio is to give an idea of the |
| count may not always translate into better | | | | dimensions of the photograph.Apart from the |
| images. In cheaper digital cameras with a | | | | megapixel count, you may want to compare the |
| high megapixel count, the sensor may not be | | | | picture quality, optics, menu system, storage |
| large, or the size of the pixels may be | | | | capacity, and responsiveness of different |
| smaller. This can reduce the quality of the | | | | models before deciding a digital camera's |
| pictures.The computer screen is a good | | | | efficacy. Just looking at a pixel count does |
| example of what a megapixel is like. A | | | | not answer all the questions that need to be |
| standard computer screen size today is 1024 | | | | answered about the new camera.Check out for |
| by 768 pixels. This means the number of | | | | more articles on digital camera memory and |
| pixels in this area is 786,432 pixels (1024 | | | | buying digital camera. |
| pixels multiplied by 768 pixels). This is | | | | |