I’m about to buy a digital camera. Different reviews say different things, but all I basically want is good clear resolution for snapshot size prints and my web page. Do I really need more than 2.0 megapixels?
No, a 2 megapixel digicam should be fine for printing pictures for the web and photos up to 4" x 6". But image quality is not just a function of megapixels… visit some digital camera review sites for image quality comparisons that go beyond megapixels before you buy.
-fh
Look at the sample photos from review sites likeSteve’s Digicams, Imaging Resource and decide for yourself. Also remember that pixel count is not the only factor that determines image quality. Lens quality, quality of the image processing/compression, exposure control, etc. all influence image quality.
Personally, if I display the image full-screen, the images from my 2-megapixel camera (Olympus 2100) look noticeably more grainy and less sharp than those from my 3 megapixel camera (Canon G1). But for small prints and web pages I find the 2-megapix camera to be adequate.
I agree, different cameras will produce a variety of results. But as a general rule, 2 MP will give you quite good 5x7 prints, 3 MP will be good up to 8x10. Any decent 1+ MP camera is good enough for basic web images.