Digital 101

Digital photo resolution is a function of the number of pixels, or dots, for a given size. Cameras are compared using the number of megapixels, or millions of pixels, that they can fit in a single picture. The more pixels per photo, the finer the resolution and the higher quality the photo.

Megapixels are a measure of millions of pixels. Today, some cameras are able to create images measurable in gigapixels, or billions of pixels, and as the technology improves, the relevant measurement will undoubtedly change again. The table below lists the prefixes that denote units of measure in the metric system.