22/02/25Camera resolution, measured in X/Y pixel counts or Megapixels, refers to the number of active pixels in X and Y that make up the image. High camera resolution will yield images with a greater number of pixels - depending on the optical setup, this can result in images capturing finer details, a larger field of view, or both.
When comparing cameras with different pixel counts, it is wise to also consider the pixel size and/or the sensor effective area. If two cameras have the same pixel size but one has a larger pixel count, this can lead to images with a wider field of view, capturing more of the imaging subject. If a higher pixel count is achieved through reducing pixel size, this can lead to finer details being captured. See the ‘Pixel Size’ and ‘Effective Area’ glossary entries for more information on these factors.
Increasing resolution offers many advantages as discussed above, though higher pixel counts lead to larger image file sizes and greater data transmission requirements. Capturing more pixels can also take longer, reducing camera frame rate.
