What is in an MP? Smartphone camera megapixels explained

As a smartphone holder, you might have wondered — at a particular point — what exactly the MP implies on your camera. In full as “megapixel”, this is a term commonly used to describe the resolution of a digital camera. 

It’s a measure of the number of pixels (short for “picture elements”) that the camera’s sensor can capture.  

By definition, a megapixel (MP) equates to one million pixels. When a camera is described as having 13MP, for instance, it means the camera can capture images composed of 13 million tiny pixels.

What does this mean for image quality?

Generally, a higher megapixel count means a camera can capture more detail and produce larger, higher-quality images. More pixels mean more information, allowing for sharper and more detailed photos, especially when viewed or printed at larger sizes.

Higher megapixels also mean you can crop or zoom into a photo without losing as much detail. This is useful for editing and refining compositions after the photo is taken.

Determining factors of megapixels

Sensor size: The physical dimensions of the camera sensor play a crucial role. A larger sensor can accommodate more pixels without sacrificing image quality. However, cramming too many pixels into a small sensor can result in “noise” or graininess in photos, especially in low light.

Pixel size: Even within the same megapixel count, the size of individual pixels can vary. Larger pixels can capture more light, which is crucial for low-light photography. This is why two cameras with the same megapixel count can produce different results.

When smartphones are advertised with extremely high megapixel counts like 64MP, 108MP, or even higher, it’s essential to understand that while these numbers are technically accurate, they don’t tell the whole story of image quality. Let’s go into this detail shortly.

Understanding extremely high megapixels

Diminishing returns: As megapixel counts increase, the benefits in image quality become less noticeable. The difference in detail between a 16MP and a 64MP image might not be as significant as the difference between, say, an 8MP and a 16MP image.

Sensor size: cramming more and more pixels onto a small sensor can lead to diminishing returns and potential drawbacks. While higher megapixels can theoretically capture more detail, they can also introduce more noise, especially in low-light conditions. This is because smaller pixels have less surface area to gather light, resulting in poorer low-light performance.

File size and storage: Higher megapixel counts also mean larger file sizes for each photo, which can quickly eat up your phone’s storage space. This can become an issue, particularly if you take a lot of photos or shoot videos at high resolutions.

Marketing vs. Practicality

Manufacturers often tout high megapixel counts as a selling point to attract consumers. A smartphone with a 108MP camera sounds impressive on paper and may catch the attention of potential buyers. 

However, the real-world performance might not always live up to the marketing hype.

While megapixels are a factor in image quality, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Factors like sensor quality, pixel size, lens quality, image processing algorithms, and optical stabilization all play significant roles in determining the overall image quality of a smartphone camera.

Practical considerations

Use case: Consider how you typically use your smartphone camera. For casual snapshots and social media sharing, a moderate megapixel count like 12MP to 16MP may be more than sufficient. Unless you frequently print large-format images or heavily crop your photos, ultra-high megapixels may not offer significant benefits in everyday use.

Reviews and real-world testing: Before buying a smartphone based solely on its megapixel count, it’s a good idea to check reviews and real-world camera comparisons. These can provide insight into how the camera performs in various lighting conditions, its dynamic range, color accuracy, and other important factors beyond megapixels alone.