Digital cameras are one of the most popular types of electronics available to consumers.  Manufactured by almost every major electronics company, digital cameras come in all different shapes, sizes and prices.  You can pick up a cheap first camera for your child for as little as fifty dollars or pay thousands of dollars for a top of the line, professional quality camera.  Although cameras feature a plethora of real features, the main determinant of each camera�s price is how many megapixels it has.

As the demand for digital cameras increase, so does the technology behind them.  It was not long ago that digital cameras with one megapixel or less could be commonly found in electronics retailers.  However, one megapixel cameras are no longer very prevalent.  The exceptions to this rule are camera  phones and web cams.  Camera phones commonly feature a less than one megapixel camera, however, more and more camera phones are upgrading to 1.3 megapixels.  Any digital camera with one megapixel or less should only be used for pictures that will not be printed.  Many of these cameras take decent pictures for web pages or online photo albums, but they are extremely blurry when translated into ink and paper.

A two megapixel digital camera is the bare minimum for printing digital photos.  Cameras in this class can produce 3×5 prints, but if the pictures are blown up any larger, they will most likely become grainy.  If you are looking for an economical digital camera, you are better off going with a three megapixel model.  Not only will your prints turn out better than a two megapixel camera, but most of these cameras also have a better digital and optical zoom.  Because of the competitiveness of the market, a three megapixel camera will cost you less than one hundred and fifty dollars.

The majority of individuals who purchase a digital camera will opt for a model with four or five megapixels.  For many years, these cameras were considered the top of the class.  With the recent addition of higher megapixel cameras, four and five megapixel cameras have seen a significant drop in price.  Depending on the features, zoom and size, these two classes of digital cameras can range from two hundred to five hundred dollars.

Digital cameras with six to eight megapixels have recently become much more affordable.  Many of these cameras cost the same price as four megapixel models did a year ago.  Cameras in this class are more than capable of handling the needs of any recreational photographer.  However, if you are a professional, you will most likely opt for a camera in the nine to ten megapixel range.  These cameras are top of the line, and can cost up to several thousand dollars.

In the end, the amount of megapixels you need comes down to a matter of personal preference.  Choose a camera that is easy to use and full of the features you are looking for.  The best way to pick a camera that you will be happy with is to head down to your local electronics store and try them out for yourself.

Digital cameras are one of the most popular types of electronics available to consumers.  Manufactured by almost every major electronics company, digital cameras come in all different shapes, sizes and prices.  You can pick up a cheap first camera for your child for as little as fifty dollars or pay thousands of dollars for a top of the line, professional quality camera.  Although cameras feature a plethora of real features, the main determinant of each camera�s price is how many megapixels it has.

As the demand for digital cameras increase, so does the technology behind them.  It was not long ago that digital cameras with one megapixel or less could be commonly found in electronics retailers.  However, one megapixel cameras are no longer very prevalent.  The exceptions to this rule are camera  phones and web cams.  Camera phones commonly feature a less than one megapixel camera, however, more and more camera phones are upgrading to 1.3 megapixels.  Any digital camera with one megapixel or less should only be used for pictures that will not be printed.  Many of these cameras take decent pictures for web pages or online photo albums, but they are extremely blurry when translated into ink and paper.

A two megapixel digital camera is the bare minimum for printing digital photos.  Cameras in this class can produce 3×5 prints, but if the pictures are blown up any larger, they will most likely become grainy.  If you are looking for an economical digital camera, you are better off going with a three megapixel model.  Not only will your prints turn out better than a two megapixel camera, but most of these cameras also have a better digital and optical zoom.  Because of the competitiveness of the market, a three megapixel camera will cost you less than one hundred and fifty dollars.

The majority of individuals who purchase a digital camera will opt for a model with four or five megapixels.  For many years, these cameras were considered the top of the class.  With the recent addition of higher megapixel cameras, four and five megapixel cameras have seen a significant drop in price.  Depending on the features, zoom and size, these two classes of digital cameras can range from two hundred to five hundred dollars.

Digital cameras with six to eight megapixels have recently become much more affordable.  Many of these cameras cost the same price as four megapixel models did a year ago.  Cameras in this class are more than capable of handling the needs of any recreational photographer.  However, if you are a professional, you will most likely opt for a camera in the nine to ten megapixel range.  These cameras are top of the line, and can cost up to several thousand dollars.

In the end, the amount of megapixels you need comes down to a matter of personal preference.  Choose a camera that is easy to use and full of the features you are looking for.  The best way to pick a camera that you will be happy with is to head down to your local electronics store and try them out for yourself.