>>4214200You always have to consider output, everything you see on Instagram is just a few mp, and even large 4k displays are only showing under 9mp. The more you pixel peep and print large, the more relevant gear can become. I've been pretty content with 24mp for my outputs, and going above that hasn't really changed quality for me much, but does offer a lot more cropping and satisfies my pixel peeping more.
Better is also often about reliability, making sure you get the shot. More reliable autofocus systems, more reliable durability, dual card slots for redundancy, better handling and controls, better subject isolation, etc. If you're just taking daylight shots with normal levels of contrast, where everything's in focus, most cameras are going to start to look a lot alike.
