What Is Megapixels?

Is 108MP better than 12MP on a phone?

Only when you use the full-res mode and have light/technique to match. Everyday binning to ~12MP is normal and often looks cleaner.

How many megapixels do I need?

For social and typical prints, mid-20s MP on a camera is already ample. Buy more for crop-heavy genres.

Do more megapixels mean more noise?

On the same small sensor, sometimes yes per-pixel. System processing and binning complicate the simple story — check samples.

Does crop factor change megapixels?

No. Crop factor changes field of view relative to full frame; MP is the pixel count of the file.

Related terms

• Sensor size
• Crop factor
• Optical vs digital zoom
• RAW vs JPEG
• IBIS
• Cameras Knowledge Base

Editorial note: Pixel-binning modes and high-res photo options vary by firmware. Confirm which mode you will leave on day to day. Part of the Gadget Clash Knowledge Base (Cameras).