megapixel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Technical / Marketing / Everyday (in consumer electronics context)
Quick answer
What does “megapixel” mean?
A unit of graphic resolution equal to one million pixels, used especially to describe the resolution of digital cameras.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A unit of graphic resolution equal to one million pixels, used especially to describe the resolution of digital cameras.
A technical specification for the resolution of digital imaging devices; figuratively, a measure of the detail or quality of a digital image.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both varieties use the term identically in technical and marketing contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. In marketing, higher numbers are presented as better, but among knowledgeable users, it's understood that megapixel count is not the sole determinant of image quality.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties, given the global nature of technology marketing.
Grammar
How to Use “megapixel” in a Sentence
[Number]-megapixel + Noun[Noun] + of + [Number] + megapixelsVerb + [Number] + megapixels (e.g., 'features', 'has', 'boasts')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “megapixel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- I'm looking for a budget phone with a decent megapixel camera.
- The 108-megapixel sensor captures incredible detail.
American English
- This new model has a higher-megapixel front camera for selfies.
- The 12-megapixel main shooter is perfectly adequate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in product specifications, marketing materials, and technical datasheets for cameras and smartphones.
Academic
Used in papers and discussions on digital imaging, photography, and sensor technology.
Everyday
Common in conversations about buying a new phone or camera, comparing device capabilities.
Technical
Precise measurement in optics, digital imaging, and consumer electronics engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “megapixel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “megapixel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “megapixel”
- Using 'megapixel' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'How much megapixel?' instead of 'How many megapixels?').
- Confusing 'megapixel' with other image quality factors like sensor size or lens quality.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While more megapixels can allow for larger prints or more cropping, factors like sensor size, lens quality, and image processing software are often more important for overall photo quality.
'Megapixel' is a specific unit for one million pixels. 'Resolution' is a broader term that can refer to pixel dimensions (e.g., 4000x3000), pixel density (e.g., PPI), or the megapixel count itself.
It can be both. As a noun: 'This sensor has 12 megapixels.' As an adjective (usually hyphenated with a number): 'It's a 12-megapixel sensor.'
For most users sharing photos online or making small prints, 12-16 megapixels is more than sufficient. Higher counts are beneficial for heavy cropping or very large prints.
A unit of graphic resolution equal to one million pixels, used especially to describe the resolution of digital cameras.
Megapixel is usually technical / marketing / everyday (in consumer electronics context) in register.
Megapixel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɡəpɪks(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmeɡəpɪks(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The megapixel war (refers to the competition among manufacturers to offer ever-higher pixel counts)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MEGA (meaning huge, like a megaphone) and PIXEL (the tiny dots on a screen). A MEGAPIXEL is a HUGE number of those tiny dots—one million of them.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS QUANTITY (Higher megapixel count is often metaphorically equated with better image quality, though this is a simplification).
Practice
Quiz
What does a '12-megapixel camera' mean?