What does the term "megapixel" refer to?

The term "megapixel" refers to one million pixels. It is a standard unit of measurement that indicates the resolution of digital images and cameras. A higher number of megapixels typically suggests that a camera can capture more detail, as each pixel represents a single point of color in the image. Therefore, when discussing high-resolution images, such as in photography or digital displays, the term "megapixel" provides a clear indication of the image quality and clarity.

Understanding the concept of pixels is essential in photography and digital imaging, as it affects the final output of photographs in terms of sharpness and the ability to enlarge prints without losing detail. The significant distinction is that a megapixel is specifically recognized as one million individual pixels, making it an important term in evaluating and comparing the capabilities of various cameras and imaging devices.