Megapixels determine how large a decent print you can enlarge the maximum file size to. Decide how large you may want to print (3x5? 4x6? 5x7, etc) and then go shopping. A 4.0 megapixel camera will yield a very acceptable 8x10 print. If you are only trying to duplicate the size that the one hour labs provide, any 2.0 megapixel camera can capture that much information on the chip.
One feature that you definitely want is adjustable sensitivity (what was called ASA back in the analog days). If you get a camera without this feature, plan on a goodly number of your shots being blurred, as they usually set the equivalent to ISO 100 which most people simply can't hold still enough (I can't on a digital, and I shoot over 6,000 rolls of analog film a year).
Another highly desirable feature if you are not adept at Adobe Photoshop is "white balance" - this will help deal with odd light that is rendered colors not visible to our eyes: flourescent goes green, those sodium vapor lights at the boat dock go a rusty orange, etc.
Most of the 2-3 megapixel cameras are pretty inexpensive now. Range of zoom on a camera in this class is more important than brand. If you think you may want to take it out around/in water, do a bit of research as to which models have affordable water housings at
www.digideep.com
Be sure to use the same brand of paper as your printer. Yes, the printer will work with anything you stuff through it but the results will be best with the manufacturers own paper. If you have not bought the printer or are in the market for a new one - Epson, period.
As with anything digital, whatever you buy this afternoon will be substantially cheaper tomorrow morning [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
[ August 07, 2003, 01:16 PM: Message edited by: Mark ]