Megapixels (MP) is a term used to describe the resolution in which a camera sensor can capture detail in photos and videos. One megapixel is equivalent to one million pixels, which are small squares of visual information that combine to make up an image. The more megapixels a camera has, the higher the resolution of the image it can produce. However, the number of megapixels is not the only factor that determines the quality of a cameras output. Other factors such as the cameras lens, sensor, zoom capability, and processing circuitry are equally important.
In general, the number of megapixels a camera needs depends on how the images will be used. For example, if the images will only be viewed on social media or online, a camera with a lower number of megapixels may suffice. However, if the images will be printed in large formats or heavily cropped, a higher number of megapixels may be necessary to maintain image quality.
In summary, MP in a camera refers to the number of pixels that make up an image and determines the cameras potential detail capture. However, the number of megapixels is not the only factor that determines the quality of a cameras output. The number of megapixels needed depends on how the images will be used.