get a cannon. dont worry about megapixel unless you're planning on blowing up the picture and making prints. when it comes to standard size 4x6 prints you just need at least a 2. but you have to make sure you take the picture at the highest res to get the best quality print. but if you're just using it for online pics then a 2 megapixel is just fine.
i suggested a cannon because their models come with a lot of manuel features which make their cameras worth more than you pay for it. for example if you went with a fuji or a sony you'll only get a point and shoot camera. but with a canon you can adjust everything from apature to shutter speed. which comes in handy if you want to take pictures that look like they were taken with a higer end camera.
I bought my canon a60 for 200 dollars and ive had it for over a year. you've seen the pictures ive taken with it. its only a 2mp.
bottom line, get a canon. you'll get way more than you paid for. and they last forever.
i took that with my 2mp. I just adjusted the apature, which is the focal lengh
oh and one more thing, no matter what kind of camera you get, if you dont know how to use it you're never going to get good pictures. that's why its important to read the books that come with your camera and really learn about all the features. also dont get caught up in digital zoom. digital zoom is crap. you want to look for a camera with good optical zoom. i never use digital zoom. its always fuzzy and never looks good.
