Digital Camera Mini-tutorial?

I need to clear my head of questions: What do megapixels do to a digital camera? What makes pictures in a digital camera clearer? Does more megapixels mean better clearer, prettier pictures? I want to buy a 12.1 megapixel camera, but I'd like advice first. It would be my 1st digital camera. Please help!

heres the camera:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDe...

also, what makes a digi camera's pictures sharper?

See http://www.digitalcamerabasics.com/

go to howstuffworks.com to find out about megapixels

the camera is good, but look at the w55 and w80

muahahahahaa
im getting pointss

thnx thalia
(:

From the specs, it looks good. I haven't used it. I'd be very curious to see how well it takes pictures at ISO 6400. Mine only goes up to ISO 1600, which was very good two years ago. What's really important is that it has a litium ion battery, which is does.

1. Megapixels. Generally, the more the better, as it represents the number of dots the photos is made up of. But, unless you're printing poster size, or doing heavy cropping. Anything over 6 Megapixels is just a waste. More megapixels take up more room on your memory card, more room on your computer. they take longer to process and handle.
2. Will they be clearer and prettier? You won't see a difference unless you are printing really big. Like, 2 ft by 3 ft. And, often image quality suffers a bit as each pixel gets smaller and therefore is more susceptible to noise. You'll notice this in low light (high ISO conditions)

the W200 is a fine camera- but you pay extra for those extra pixels. Only you can decide if it's worth it. Personally- I think that there are many other features which are more useful.

you might want to save some money and buy the equally capable Sony W90, or get a bit more zoom with the T100 or S800. And, that's just the Sony line.