Hi JaN27,
Welcome to the Q&A Board!
Excellent question, and one that should be asked before purchasing a digital camera. This article should help you understand the issue.
http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-many-megapixels/index.htmPersonally, I think sticking with a name brand is one of the ways that you can count on getting a good quality digital camera. Obviously an eight-hundred plus dollar digital camera will have better optics than one that cost $200. But if you have no need for the sophistication of an advanced digital camera, you can be assured that most digital cameras take quality photos. My daughter has a Canon A510 that you can now purchase for about US $150 and I am constantly amazed at the quality of the images she gets, particularly when lighting is good.
Take a peek at the article and let us know if you have further questions.