Sensel

A sensel (short for sensor element, modeled after the term pixel) is a single light-detecting element of a discrete image sensor.

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The word "pixel" is often used to describe such an element, but this is technically incorrect because pixel refers to a single element of a spatially discrete light-producing device (such as a liquid crystal display). Whereas a sensel refers to an element of a discrete light-sensing device.

For example, the individual elements of a charge-couple device (CCD) image sensor, as used in many digital cameras, are sensels.