What is the relationship between pixel count and megapixels?

Megapixels refer specifically to the total number of pixels in an image, and one megapixel is equal to one million pixels. This unit serves as a straightforward way to quantify the resolution of digital images, such as photographs taken with cameras or images displayed on screens. When a camera is rated at, for example, 12 megapixels, it means that the image it captures contains approximately 12 million individual pixels. Each pixel represents a distinct point of color and light in the image, contributing to the overall clarity and detail that the image possesses. Understanding that megapixels equate to one million pixels provides a fundamental insight into the technical specifications of digital imaging and photography.

In contrast, pixel density involves understanding how many pixels are packed into a specific area of the image or display, which differs from simply measuring total pixel count. Image resolution typically refers to the dimensions of the image (width x height), while image compression pertains to the process of reducing file size, which does not influence the basic definition of a megapixel itself.