Arrested Development Clan

You know how when you go to buy a digital camera and they say so many megapixels will take pictures that can be printed a certain size?

Like a 12 MP camera can take 11x14 pictures.

Then why is it that I can pull up a 6 MP photo on my 47" tv? That makes no sense to me... Does anyone have an understanding for those claims?

the resolution on a tv isn't that high, usually 1336x768 or 1920x1080. 6 MP photos on the other hand are usually at resolutions around 4096x3072. So, the pictures that are on your tv will be much bigger than your tv can display at actual size. Inches are meaningless if you aren't printing.

Megapixels are pretty meaningless in general.

I think you answered my question Jared. If a 6MP camera can make 11x14 prints, and my tv is 47" but only has a res of 1920x1080, that means whatever 47/1920x1080 is equal or less than 11x14/6MP. I understand that. So I guess the higher MP camera, the larger the possible prints that show the total resolution without loss. Is that correct?

Bingo! That is correct sir.