[CK1]

and you bring up a great point. its best to start with great quality and have to reduce the size,resolution, etc of an image because you won't loose quality. but you really can't go the other way around. and again, the best MP (mega pixels) you can afford the better. that gives you the flexibility of making large or small prints. now if you just want to print 4x6 pictures then you can go with the lower end of the mega pixels (again, around 8 would be a good starting point... no less than six if you just want family pictures) and i agree with backing up old pictures to CDs, DVDs, etc. because of things like environment and time can destroy pictures over time.