Choosing a Digital Camera

How many megapixels should my camera have?
http://cameras.about.com/cs/choosingacamera/a/megapixels.htm

• 1 megapixel or less: This is typically found on smaller, inexpensive cameras or cameras in combination with other devices (such as cell phones or PDA's). It will be hard to make a high-quality print of any size, but these are just fine for e-mailing photos or posting photos for a personal web site. Expect to pay $100 or less for the camera alone.
• 1.1 to 2 megapixels: A slight step up, you can probably knock out a 4x6 or two of decent quality. I wouldn't recommend it for family portraits or if you really need a nice-looking print. You will pay about $100-150.
• 2.1 to 3 megapixels: This is actually a good compromise between picture quality and low price for most casual photographers. You can print lovely 4x6 images, decent 5x7s and, depending on the camera, might even knock out a good 6x9. You will pay around $150 to $250.
• 3.1 to 4 megapixels: You're getting nicer. These images make practically photo-lab quality 4x6s, and great 5x7s and 6x9s. You can print an 8x10 in some instances. You'll pay about $250 to $350.
• 4.1 to 5 megapixels: Hello, 8x10s! Now you are getting closer to professional photographer levels, and the quality shows it. And you'll pay the price, around $350 to $450.
• 5.1 megapixels and up: Wonderful image quality, but high price tags. There are some high-megapixel cameras coming out with lower price tags than most, but they usually have very few features. Unless megapixels are the only thing you care about (it shouldn't be), don't get a camera that sounds outrageously inexpensive for its megapixel range. In this category, expect to pay $450 and up, up, up.