What term describes the smallest unit of information within a digital image?

The term that describes the smallest unit of information within a digital image is "pixel." Each pixel represents a single point in an image and contains color information that contributes to the overall visual representation. In digital imaging, the arrangement and color of pixels create the pictures we see, making them fundamental to image quality and detail.

Pixels are typically arranged in a grid pattern, where each pixel's value determines its color and intensity. The total number of pixels in an image defines its resolution; higher pixel counts generally mean finer details and clarity.

The other terms, while related to images or data, do not specifically describe the smallest unit. "Image element" is a broader term that can include pixels but is not as widely used as "pixel." "Graphical unit" and "data point" do not specifically refer to pixels and are less defined in the context of digital imaging. Thus, "pixel" is the most accurate and widely accepted term for this concept.