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Sony recently upped the ante for digital cameras, accelerating the march toward higher resolution at lower prices. Its new 7.2-megapixel camera that costs less than $500 may seem amazing today, but experts say that the trend it reflects is likely to continue. Still, just how many megapixels do you need--and do these high-resolution cameras come with hidden costs?

"Sony will not be the only one to offer this level of performance," says Michelle Slaughter, director of digital photography trends at market research firm Infotrends. "Manufacturers are offering cameras that do more things."

Slaughter says she is aware of several such cameras in the pipeline, but could not discuss details of unreleased products.

Setting the Standard

As the new benchmark for point-and-shoot (as opposed to professional-quality) cameras, Sony's P150 not only pumps up the resolution; it also boasts a Zeiss lens, its own imaging processor, nine exposure presets, and an optional underwater attachment. These new features could be commonplace a year from now, say analysts watching the digicam market.

Many technology-addicted consumers reflexively buy into improvements they don't really need, but breaking the 5-megapixel barrier is still a significant step, Slaughter says. The presence of digital zoom can make a big difference, and the increased resolution can make editing easier and more precise.

"We have not reached the point where more megapixels is a bad thing," she says. "Manufacturers aren't sacrificing performance."

High-resolution images require more storage space, forcing users to stock up on memory cards. But since card prices are steadily declining, card swapping is no longer a cost-prohibitive practice.

Unnecessary Upgrade?

On the other hand, some experts feel it makes sense to just stay put.

"I have seen 20-by-30 prints that were absolutely gorgeous made by Kodak to demonstrate the quality of their 3-megapixel DC4800 that came out over three years ago," says Arthur Bleich, a Florida photographer and teacher who sponsors regular photography technology ocean cruises.

"So for the average shooter, 3 megapixels is a perfect number, and I feel that it is the resolution that is going to become standard for most point-and-shoot cameras," Bleich says. "By that same token, 6-megapixel cameras are going to be the workaday standard for most serious amateurs and a lot of professionals."

He sees no reason to buy a camera that exceeds that resolution unless you are going for something special, such as "a lot of wildlife or sports from great distances," Bleich says.

Hidden Costs

Bleich also warns against the resource drain that accompanies many technology upgrades. Aside from more memory cards, users will need more storage space on the computer. It will take longer to transfer images to your computer and work with them in an imaging program because so many pixels have to be pushed around. You'll also need a printer with a wider carriage, a lot more ink to pump out prints of pictures, and a lot more time for each picture to get processed and printed.

"It's not the blessing that it appears to be," Bleich says of higher-resolution cameras. "It's like getting an SUV when all you need is a nice sedan and then having to deal with increased gas consumption, problems with rollovers, and people spitting on you for being an environmental hog."

Still, Bleich acknowledges, "there is no compelling reason not to buy one. After all, you don't have to shoot at the camera's highest resolution, and you can keep it in reserve just for those situations where you might need it."