How many megapixels is decent to have for a digital camera?

I DON'T need a digicam that can hold hundreds of pics. This camera is for a business so the pics I take will be taken off fairly quickly. This also means I need good quality, high-definition pictures (some cameras don't take good up-close, highdef pics but I need one that does). Any suggestions for a reasonably priced camera that fits my requirements?

In your case (and any case), MegaPixel should be the last thing you need to consider when you are purchasing a digital camera.

I am guessing you need to take pictures of your products for your business. What you'll is one that do well in Macro Mode. Have short focus distant. Do well in low light without the use of flash since using flash in close range will make the picture over expose and have the un-natual look.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_...

I'll recommend the Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd or the Canon S3 IS. Both have good manual control and perform at any lighting condition.

Nowadays? "Good" cameras have 10-15 megapixels.

Depends what is your requirement.

1. If only the pictures on the computer -
3.2 or 4 Mpixel is good.
2. If you want to have the good hard / prints , i would suggest minimum 5 Mpx.

Go for Base Sony or Canon - the yare good point and shoot.

If you are having a budget of $300 or so - i would recomend sd600 for you.

5.1 mega

5.1 megapixel Canon anyday.

Megapixels will matter to you more the larger the pictures you will be making. If you are only making normal 4X6 photos, a 5 is more than enough. You can get beautiful 8X10s even with a 5 MP camera. If you are making huge posters, you will need something around an 8 MP or higher. Canons take great pics, since they are a strong camera, so a 5 MP canon should do. Plus, on most cameras now, including the canons I have, they have setting for up close subjects. I have many 8X10s of tiny bees and flowers and bird's feathers with wonderful quality. They run as cheap as $199 now I think, maybe cheaper, since they have a new 10 megapixel one out now.

6 is more then enough if your output is not more then 11" . With most images you only need 3. this is good for viewing on computer screens and small prints.
Make sure that the camera has a nice white balance control.
Take a shot under a florescent light and check if you don't see a blue haze, in incandescent, a yellow haze. This is more important the the mega pixels.

To me, the biggest advantage with more pixels is that I can shot at a further distance then crop on the computer.

When I photo items to be put in a shopping cart on line I almost always set the camera at 2.1 but I can get close and didn't need large photo. The print still look good on standard print paper. On photo paper 5 by 7 It could have been better.