2 megapixels or less are typically found in cheap cameras or cell phones, and it is basically hard for you to get prints from this resolution so it would probably be suitable for screen use (online photo album, etc.). 3 megapixels offers a good mixture between quality and price. You will be able to get crisp 4×6 prints, and a decent 5×7 prints. 3 megapixels cameras are suitable for home use, although it is advisable to get higher resolution if your budget allows you to. A 4 megapixel camera will get you 8×10 prints and lab quality 4×6 prints with no problem at all. If you are thinking about enlarging a lot of your pictures, you should purchase a digital camera with at least 4 megapixels. 5 megapixels are great, and you are getting close to photographer level of quality. You will be able to save some money and still get high quality pictures. And of course, 6 megapixels and up which offer superb photo quality and flexible enlargement options.

Now that you know the theory of it, you can assess your own digital camera usage and choose how many megapixels you need. Oh, don’t forget that higher megapixels means bigger file sizes – you need bigger, more expensive, memory cards as well.

The first and most common mistake when it comes to buying a digital camera is buying the most expensive digital camera you can afford. You might end up with the coolest, most advanced digital camera available on the market, but this is not always the case. Even if you do get the coolest, most advanced digital camera, you might not need it. There is no need to pay for features you will not use, right? Focus more on features you need. Megapixel is not the only measurement to determine a digital camera’s quality, so be sure to review its specifications.

Last, please do try the camera before you purchase one. Trying means you get to feel the gadget in action, and you will be able to see if it will be usable for you in the future. Happy digital camera shopping!