Many believe that the higher a camera's megapixel (MP) count, the higher the image quality; this is a misconception. Sure, more pixels can be beneficial, but there are many other factors to consider, if there weren't, then every device with the same mega-pixel count would produce the same image quality.
Imagine two boxes, each containing 100 coins. Would you say that each box contains the same amount of money? Of course not! One could be a box of pennies, while the other could be a box of dimes. On the surface, each box has the same number of similar sized coins, but upon inspection, you realize that one box has greater value than the other; you can do more with the dimes than with the pennies.
Pixels can be viewed similarly: if two different devices claim the same pixel count, do they have to have the same image quality? No, because some devices can record more raw data at each pixel location, providing more usable image information across the same number of pixels. Some devices, however, capture incomplete pixel data, then process it to appear as full-value data... like painting pennies silver to look like dimes. At a glance, this can be unnoticeable, but a closer look often shows the reality.
Imagine two boxes, each containing 100 coins. Would you say that each box contains the same amount of money? Of course not! One could be a box of pennies, while the other could be a box of dimes. On the surface, each box has the same number of similar sized coins, but upon inspection, you realize that one box has greater value than the other; you can do more with the dimes than with the pennies.
Pixels can be viewed similarly: if two different devices claim the same pixel count, do they have to have the same image quality? No, because some devices can record more raw data at each pixel location, providing more usable image information across the same number of pixels. Some devices, however, capture incomplete pixel data, then process it to appear as full-value data... like painting pennies silver to look like dimes. At a glance, this can be unnoticeable, but a closer look often shows the reality.