In the same way that scanner resolutions are misunderstood, so are the megapixel ratings associated with digital cameras. The number of megapixels (millions of pixels) that a camera supports has become the marketing buzzword associated with digital models, but it’s actually much less important that you might think. Common numbers of megapixels supported range from under 1 on very low-end models to 10 or higher on high-end SLRs. The truth of the matter is that megapixels ultimately impact the size at which your pictures can be printed, and little else.
For example, to process your digital images as standard 4×6 prints, only .3 megapixels or 640×480 resolution is required. However, to produce maximum-quality prints at 8×10, you’ll need to take photos at a resolution of 1600×1200, where 1.9 megapixels are required. So, the number of megapixels your camera will need to support depends on how you intend to use your pictures.
If never intend to print pictures at 8×10, then a 1 megapixel camera would meet your needs, allowing for prints up to about 5×7 with no loss of quality. The same goes for pictures you intend to use for a website or email only, where lower-resolution images are fine.
As a general rule, the number of megapixels that a camera supports is a consideration, but far from the most important one. If you’re looking for a quality middle-of-the-road model to meet almost any situation, then a digital camera that supports approximately 4 megapixels should meet your needs.
