Buying a digital camera with features you want is just as important as how many megapixels it has. Yes, it’s true!

Don’t get caught up in advertising hype that leads many to believe that more megapixels is always better.

Megapixels, printing and cropping

Two factors come into play when deciding about megapixels: print size and the amount of cropping you do.

The more megapixels, the larger size prints can be made without images becoming pixelated or jagged looking. More megapixels also allows larger areas of images to be cropped and still have detailed prints.

This many megapixels

Most digital camera owners print 4×6,” the most frequently used print size, and occasionally up to 8×10.” If they crop, it is rarely more than a small percentage of an image. If you fit into this category, a camera with a resolution between six to eight megapixels should serve you well.

Slightly larger prints may show signs of pixelation but only when viewed close up. If you primarily send photos by email, or use them for online auctions, a four or five megapixel camera should more than suffice.