Marketing people are always emphasising just how many megapixels their latest, greatest camera has got. You, the consumer, still primarily buy a camera based on the number of megapixels it has (at least according to a recent report). So you would expect a compact digital camera with 8 megapixels to be “better” than a digital SLR with 6 megapixels, right? PhotoReview.com.au compares the technical aspects of the sensors in each type of camera to discover if this is true or not (found via Digicamera.net).

“On the basis of new cameras announced in the past couple of months we can state with confidence that by the middle of this year there will be at least five 6-megapixel DSLRs and five 8-megapixel, non-interchangeable compact-type digicams on the Australian market. This creates a quandary for photographers who plan to invest in a new digital camera: which type to buy? Going on the pixel count alone, the 8-megapixel digicams seem to have a significant advantage. But high pixel counts aren’t everything: you need to check ‘beneath the bonnet’ to understand the pros and cons associated with both camera types before you can make a well-thought-out decision. The best place to start is with the sensor.”

Website: PhotoReview.com.au - 6-megapixel DSLR or 8-megapixel Digicam – Which Should You Buy?